GRAND FINAL | VOLUNTEER BRIEFING

GRAND FINAL | VOLUNTEER BRIEFING

Thank you to those who have volunteered to help us host the 2025 HFL Grand Final on Saturday 20 September.

An online Grand Final Volunteer Briefing Session has been arranged for Monday 15 September from 7pm to 8pm.

To join the meeting, click herehttps://meet.google.com/njr-ghdw-zwr

If you haven’t added your name to the roster yet, please click on the roster link below. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference

We are seeking between 28 and 36 people across key time slots, and with more than 500 players in the club, it should be easy to fill those spots fast! The roster has been split into playing groups, but please add your name where it suits best.

GRAND FINAL ROSTER LINK

Why volunteer?

  • Free entry to the Grand Final (the HFL manages the gate on the day).
  • A front-row role on one of the most exciting days of the season.
  • The satisfaction of supporting a huge fundraising opportunity – proceeds will help us bridge the gap needed to upgrade our oval lights to LED by season 2026.
LIFE MEMBER COIN TOSS | DARYL HAMPTON

LIFE MEMBER COIN TOSS | DARYL HAMPTON

Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Daryl Hampton, who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for our match against Narine on Saturday 23 August 2025, joined by his sons Daniel and Matt with wife Colleen watching from the stands.

Daryl was made a Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member in 1992 and continues to be a loyal supporter of the Devils and who still volunteers to assist in maintenance of the complex.

The Hampton brothers (Geoff, Ian “Doug”, Daryl and Phillip) have an outstanding record of Premierships and individual awards and Daryl was a very significant part of that. Commencing at age 8 he was a part of the very successful Heathfield Aldgate United era at Junior and Senior levels, before going on to play in 3 Mt Lofty A Grade Premierships.

Junior football saw him win the 1968 HFL Under 13’s Best and Fairest (Mail Medal equivalent) and represent the State Schoolboys in 1970.

As a senior player, Daryl was strong, skilled and as a former teammate reports a “little cheeky on field”. Throughout his career with him eventually retiring in 1991 at the age of 36. Over his full career he played in a total of 15 Grand Finals, becoming a member of 13 Premierships which included 5 A Grade Premierships with United and 3 Mt Lofty A Grade flags including the first A Grade for the club in 1991.

While his decorated career ended in 1991 he then became a very hard-working volunteer in coaching and committee positions before stepping back but continuing to do many maintenance activities. He coached the U13’s United Premiership and Captain-Coached the A Grade in the second half of the 1989 season. Further significant contributions came as Chairman 1996 and 1997 and President in 1998.

Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty for all you have done and for your continued support for our club.

Daryl with sons Matt and Daniel
Daryl with Lofty Legend convenor and Head Trainer Nikki Moore

Three Hampton brothers in the 1973 HAU United A Grade Premiership
Daryl’s first of 5 A grade Premierships for United. Daryl (3rd from left, font row), Geoff (6th from left, front row), Ian “Doug” (5th from left, centre row).

Daryl, far right, with brothers Phil and Geoff at the 2019 reunion.

The three Hampton brothers all members of Mt Lofty SAGA A Grade’s inaugural Premiership side.
Daryl is far right in the back row, Geoff far left in the same row, and Ian “Doug” 6th from left in the second row.
CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS | HFL GRAND FINAL

CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS | HFL GRAND FINAL

Since February, your Grand Final Committee has been hard at work bringing together the biggest event on the football calendar – the 2025 HFL Grand Final on Saturday 20 September. 

Now, as we reach the final stages of planning, we need your help to make the day a success. We’re calling for volunteers to assist on Grand Final day. There’s every chance we’ll see Lofty teams on the field, so rosters have been designed around when teams are likely to play.

That said, please don’t feel locked into specific times – encourage players, parents and supporters to sign up wherever it best fits.

GRAND FINAL ROSTER LINK

Why volunteer?

  • Free entry to the Grand Final (the HFL manages the gate on the day).
  • A front-row role on one of the most exciting days of the season.
  • The satisfaction of supporting a huge fundraising opportunity – proceeds will help us bridge the gap needed to upgrade our oval lights to LED by season 2026.

We’ve got an incredible day planned, including half-time and post-game entertainment, so it promises to be a memorable celebration of football and community.

Please click on the roster link above and add your name, and share the link with your networks to help us fill the time slots. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. 

We are seeking between 28 and 36 people across key timeslots! With over 500 players in the club, it should be easy to fill those spots fast!

Let’s make this Grand Final not only a great day on the field, but a shining moment for the Mount Lofty community. 

LIFE MEMBER COIN TOSS | DARYL HAMPTON

LIFE MEMBER COIN TOSS | DAVID EVANS

We would like to thank David Evans, who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for match against Blackwood on Saturday 26 July 2025, joined by Sons Luke and Todd.

David “Taffy” Evans was made a Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member in 1992. His two sons and grandchildren call him “FOSL”.  Affectionally, David thinks that maybe they are correct!

Way back when the oval was just scrub and some trees, there was one of many community working bees.  The rocky base needed to be blasted out using explosives called gelignite.  This was then levelled with large machines before the topsoil was added.  As a young Heathfield Primary School lad, David remembers vividly that he and Kevin Hampton joined many rows of people lining up with garden rakes and wheelbarrows to clear the rock heaps.  There was no council help at all, just the community getting it done.

David played Junior footy for Heathfield Aldgate United, colts footy and filled in with the B2 grade when his dad coached, before moving more permanently to the Bs and As.

Premierships with Heathfield Aldgate United totalled 6 and for Mt Lofty he played in the first 1981 SAFA A grade match which became Mt Lofty’s first A Grade Premiership, as well as the 1986 A grade and 1988 A2 Premiership’s. David also played League and Reserve years at Sturt as player number 797 and was lucky enough to be part of a Grand Final winning team.

He was involved in Auskick coaching and training, helped coach Mt Lofty Bs and was the main bar and security bloke in the club run Casper Discos. Today he is still doing things such as Chairman of the Sports Club and he says he remains a very proud life member of this great club.

Davids playing accolades include:

4 A Grade Premierships, 3 Other Senior Premierships, 2 Junior Premierships:

Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty for all that you do for our club.

David with sons Todd and Luke

David with Lofty Legends Convenor (and Head Trainer) Nikki Moore nee dee Roos

David, in blue, and Kevin Hampton as young boys when volunteers commenced clearing for the Heathfield Oval around 1965. Both made Life Members of Mt Lofty District Football Club some decades later.

David left with father Stan, still playing at 44, and brothers Iain and Andrew

David 1st left in the back row in his second United A Grade Premiership in 1976.
David 1st in the third row of the SAFA 1981 Mt Lofty District Football Club’s inaugural Premiership.

David 2nd from the left in the front row of the 1986 A Grade Mt Lofty District Football Club Premiers in their first year in the HFL.

 
David with John Coventry at the 2016 Reunion which celebrated the 1976 United Premiership and the 1986 Mt Lofty Premiership in which they were team mates.

David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic Sign by his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.
David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic sign for his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.
VALE RICHARD ‘DICKY’ SYMONS |

VALE RICHARD ‘DICKY’ SYMONS |

We are deeply saddened to share that Richard ‘Dicky’ Symons has passed away peacefully in the late hours of the evening 20 June surrounded by his loving family.

The family asks for privacy at this time.

Funeral and proceedings expected to be on Friday 4 July from 10am.

MLDFC and our clubs pass on our sincerest condolences to Betty and the extended family.

Richard pictured (centre) with grandsons Alex (left) and Jordan (right) Houlahan whilst performing the life member coin toss for MLDFC at Heathfield Oval Saturday 27 May 2023.

Richard Symons
Coach 1978 HAU B Grade Premiership

1978 HAU B Grade Premiers