Football
11 July, 2024
Blockbuster clashes highlight round 13
Round 13 of the Horsham District Football Netball League features some blockbuster clashes as the battle for the top two heats up.
Harrow Balmoral hosts Noradjuda Quantong at Harrow Recreation Reserve. The Southern Roos are sitting at the top of the ladder with the same number of wins as the Swifts.
Noradjuha Quantong is two games behind in third position. A loss to the Bombers could dash their hopes for second place and a double chance in the finals, while a win will make things interesting.
Dyson Parish and Brayden Carra may return for the Bombers, but they will still be missing Wade Francis and Dylan Shelley from their full-strength team.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron said finishing in the top two will be an advantage, but the team is more looking forward to seeing how much it has improved.
"You don't necessarily have to finish top two, but it's an advantage come the end of the season," Cameron said.
"We hope to put our best foot forward, and it's an excellent chance to see where we are.
"When we played them in round one, we had a few out, and we are playing better footy than we have at the start of the year as we are more consistent and blowing teams out of the water, so we look forward to seeing how close we are to one of the top teams."
The other crucial clash is between the two improved teams of 2024. Laharum hosts Pimpinio in what is set to be a cracking clash.
Laharum is sitting in fourth position and is set to play finals after not winning a game in 2023. Pimpinio is in fifth place, with the same number of wins, with seven, and will play in their first finals series since 2009.
Pimpinio's second halves have been a worry this year, but last week’s second half against Rupanyup was an improvement, so they may have addressed that issue.
Laharum will still be missing a few players from their best team and will look to reverse the eight-point loss to the Tigers from round one.
Taylors Lake, fresh off their third win of the season last week, a comfortable one over Natimuk, travels to Edenhope Recreation Reserve to take on the Saints, who they defeated in round one.
While the Saints still have a mathematical chance to play finals, they would need to win five matches, three of which are against Harrow Balmoral, Swifts, and Laharum, and they would hope other results fall their way.
At North Park, the Swifts host Kalkee, who they defeated by 68 points in round one. Paul Summers kicked eleven goals against them that day and is currently on 78 goals for the year.
A massive haul to him will bring him closer to potentially achieving the century in a top-of-the-table clash against Harrow Balmoral in three weeks from now.
At Natimuk Showgrounds, Natimuk hosts Kaniva Leeor. Natimuk is hosting its sponsor's day and, sitting at the bottom of the ladder, will look to secure its second win of the season.