The Hamden league has booked another date with the Ovens and Murray league after a commanding performance in the WorkSafe Country Championships.

Hampden stormed past the visiting Sunraysia league in Warrnambool on Saturday to lift themselves into sixth spot on the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country rankings.

Waiting for them in 2014 is Ovens and Murray (which lost to the Peninsula league on Saturday) the very side that overpowered Hampden last year by 48 points.

"There's nothing better than a second chance," Hampden coach Nick O'Sullivan said in regards to the possibility of meeting Ovens and Murray again.

"The way the rankings work now there is that opportunity to build a rivalry and we have a healthy respect for Ovens and Murray."

"Our goal when we started was to get back into the top four and we know O&M will be desperate to get back their also, but we're just as determined."

O'Sullivan said keeping his group together was the key to avenging last year's defeat in 2014.

"We have to try and keep the leaders and the young blokes as it's the only way to build character."

"We need the guys to be confident in one another to be able to perform when it matters."

Seven goals from Steven Staunton played a huge part in the 94-point win over Sunraysia, teaming well with ruckman Sandy Robinson.

"Steven really redeemed himself after a pretty poor showing against O&M last year, and it was great to see. He's a fantastic player and probably doesn't realise just how good he can be."

The Gippsland and Bendigo leagues are also heading for a rematch of the 2012 fixture, after Saturday's results put them on a collision course.

Gippsland proved far too strong for the Yarra Valley Mountain District league, while Bendigo failed to overcome the Ballarat league.

Last year it was Bendigo that prevailed by 23 points to push back in to the top six, and both sides will be desperate to improve their rankings position in 2014.

Article first appeared www.vcfl.com.au Tuesday, May 28, 2013