Football
15 July, 2024
Ararat steal Southern Mallee's Thunder
Ararat has moved into premiership favoritism following a commanding 47-point win over the Southern Mallee Thunder at Sir Robert Menzies Park in Jeparit in round 12 of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Rats stunned the Thunder early, kicking five goals to one to lead by 27 points at quarter-time.
They kept the momentum rolling in the second quarter, kicking another four goals to one to lead by 45 points at half-time, leaving the locals stunned.
The Rats continued to dominate around the ground, holding the Thunder to three points in the third quarter to extend their lead to 67 points at the last break.
The Thunder battled the game out, winning the last quarter, but the Rats were too strong all day to run out 16.6.102 to 8.7.55 winners.
Tom Mills and Tom Williamson continued their goal-kicking form with another four apiece, with Cody Lindsay brilliant in the ruck with Jake Robinson, Jack Ganley, and Brody Griffin among their best players.
For the Thunder, Thomas Clarke and Kieran Delahunty kicked two apiece, with Bily Lloyd, Jake Garvey, Lou White, Sam White, Heath Smith, and Leigh Stewart also among their best.
Ararat co-coach Tom Mills said it was one of the best games they have played for the season but was disappointed in the last quarter, letting them get a run on.
"Our pressure was unreal, and it put us on track for the whole game, which was nice and pleasing to see," Mills said.
"The last quarter we were a bit disappointed as we let them kick five goals and took the feet off and cost ourselves some percentage.
"Despite that, it was still a good win and one we can take confidence out of moving forward."
Saints stay in touch of the final five with a tough win over the Eagles
The Horsham Saints finals hopes remain alive following a gritty 49-point win over the Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park.
The Eagles brought the heat early, getting numbers back and playing a compact game in the midfield to lead by five points at the first break.
The Saints wrestled momentum back in the second quarter, reversing that deficit and taking a 12-point lead at the main break.
In the third quarter, the Saints started to get on top and break the Eagles strong defence kicking another four goals to two to lead by 21 points at three-quarter-time.
They kicked seven more goals in the last quarter as they got on top around the ground and ran out 18.9.117 to 10.8.68 winners.
Mitch Martin kicked six goals for the Saints, and Judd Wright kicked five. Gage Wright, William Taylor, Patrick Knott, and Sam Clyne were also among their better players.
Ryan McKenzie kicked four goals for the Eagles, with Machok Garang, their best player alongside Kyle Cheney, who kicked two goals, Riley Morrow, Dylan Watts, and Tyson Hunt.
The win keeps the Saints one game behind Nhill and Minyip Murtoa, who are in fifth and sixth place on the ladder, respectively.
Saints coach Ben Knott said it was a professional win.
"They had a clear plan, and eventually, with the sheer weight of numbers, we were able to get the ball in our forward line and ran over them. It was a very professional win for us in the end," Knott said.
"Judd Wright was sensational, having his first game back in the seniors since round three, where he suffered an injury. He played reserves last week, and we decided to give him a crack this week, and he was sensational.
"We thought Machok Garang would have started centre-half-back for the Eagles, but he didn't, so we left Wright at centre-half-forward, and it was a good decision in the end."
Mitch Martin is continuing his goal-kicking form, with 11 in the last three games, and Knott said they plan on keeping him forward.
"He has been playing in midfield and been getting a lot of disposals through the middle and down back, but recently we needed him up forward, and he is damaging up there that we are looking at keeping him forward as much as we can," Knott said.
"We are looking at finding other players that can go through the midfield so we can play Mitch up forward a bit more."
Burras shock Demons
Like the Saints, the Burras faced a must-win game and dismantled form team the Horsham Demons by 45 points at Horsham City Oval.
The Burras stunned the home side early, kicking four goals to one to lead by 21 points at quarter-time. The Demons fought hard in the second quarter but could only peg the deficit back to 19 points at the main break.
The Burras didn't let up in the third quarter, kicking another five goals to one to take a 40-point lead into three-quarter-time.
In the last quarter, the Burras controlled the game to run out 16.10.106 to 8.13.61 winners.
Tanner Smith kicked five goals for the Burras, with Wawrick Stone, Kade Petering, Luke Fisher, Jae McGrath, and Oscar Gawith among their best players.
For the Demons, Jordon Motton led the way with four goals up forward, with Brody Pope, Archie Elliott, Lachlan Hobbs, Jasper Gunn, and Tyler Blake their best players.
Warriors move to second with a comfortable win over Roos
At Central Park, four goals to Cody Driscoll have helped guide them to a convincing 55-point win over Dimboola.
The game was tight early, with Dimboola taking a four-point lead into quarter-time, kicking the quarter's only goal.
In the second quarter, Stawell kicked six goals to two to lead by 17 points at half-time.
The Warriors continued their momentum in the third and could have blown the game away, kicking three goals, seven behinds to two behinds to lead by 40 points at the last break.
The last quarter was a formality, with the Warriors running out the game to win 13.15.93 to 5.8.38.
Thomas Eckel was best on the ground through the midfield, with Zachary Morrow, Jackson Dark, Josh Fowkes, Jack Walker, and Aiden Graveson among their best.
For the Roos, Jack Landt led the way through the middle with Ashley Clugston, Andrew Moore, Ben Miller, Jackson O'Neill, and Darcy Dubois, their best players.