Sport
4 July, 2026
Tommy boots an impressive five
THE RETURN of the prodigal son to Wedderburn has added more firepower to an attack already full of threat.
THE RETURN of the prodigal son to Wedderburn has added more firepower to an attack already full of threat.
Key forward Tom Campbell left the Redbacks for the Bendigo league at the end of 2024 and played in Sandhurst’s grand final loss against Eaglehawk last year.
His five goals against Charlton on Saturday showed the impact he can have for the unbeaten Redbacks, whose depth just keeps getting stronger.
Coach Tom Metherell said he had “left the ball in his court” in terms of a return to Wedderburn.
“He was feeling like it was the right time to come home – I didn’t put any pressure on him to be honest.”
Campbell played in the win against Calder United two weeks ago after his transfer was authorised but showed his potential impact up forward against Charlton.
Campbell’s return comes as the senior squad is all fit and available for selection, with forward Matt Perri, fifth on the league goalkicking list, to play after this week’s bye following two weeks off.
Player depth will be a key for clubs vying for the premiership, and Wedderburn is in the box seat.
The Redbacks thrashed Charlton by 150 points, even with a last quarter in which they eased off.
“Coming into the bye … we had our annual ball on Saturday night, and I was concerned we might have a couple of little lapses, but a 150-point win is a 150-point win, and you would take that any day of the week,” Metherell said.
Wedderburn kicked 16.10 in the two middle quarters while keeping Charlton scoreless in a performance that highlighted the gap in class between top and bottom on the ladder.
Unbeaten, and with a percentage just shy of 300, the Redbacks are clear premiership favourites.
However, Metherell and his coaching staff with be conscious that Birchip Watchem went through last season undefeated before tumbling at the last hurdle and losing the grand final to Calder.
Wedderburn plays the fourth-placed Bulls first up after the bye as the league has an unbroken run of six games into the finals.
- GARY WALSH
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