Football
26 August, 2024
Thunder claim minor premiership
In their first year as a new club, the Southern Mallee Thunder has claimed the minor premiership and a week off in finals following a massive 66-point win over Horsham at Beulah Memorial Park in round 18 of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Thunder restricted the Demons to one goal in the first half, kicking seven themselves to lead by 42 points at half-time.
However, the main story of the first half was inaccurate kicking, with the Thunder kicking nine behinds.
In the third quarter, the Thunder straightened up their kicking, booting three goals to two to extend the margin by 50 points at the final break.
The Thunder ran out the game hard in the last quarter, kicking another four goals. However, inaccurate kicking was the story again, adding seven behinds as they ran out 15.17.107 to 5.11.41 winners.
Kai Sheers continued his excellent form up forward with three goals, with the Thunder enjoying nine separate goal-kickers.
In a best-on-the-ground performance, Jackson Fisher was excellent on the wing, with Lou White, Kieran Delahunty, Angus McSweyn, Liam Nelson, and Billy Lloyd among their best.
Ben Lakin, Corey Williams, Samuel Janetzki, Billy Carberry, Benjamin Janetzki, and Jasper Gunn were the Demons' best.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said despite the inaccurate kicking, to go into the finals with good momentum is a pleasing result.
"We probably left a few goals behind in the first half, but we had an even contribution throughout the ground, and the backline stood up well, and our midfield got on top, and we have some good momentum coming into finals," Delahunty said.
"The bye has come at the right time, as we have played seven games in a row, which means we can give Brad Lowe and Rupert Sangster another week off."
Demons coach Jordy Burke said the boys were disappointed, but they can take some positives out of the match.
"One of the real positives we can take out of it was it was a high-intensity game for some of the boys coming back from injury," Burke said.
"Another positive was we have been playing some boys in different positions, which could come in handy in the finals, and our second half was much better as we were able to lift the intensity.
"We will learn from it, take our medicine, and hopefully come out better next week."
Nhill enters the finals with momentum
Nhill enters their first finals series in 14 years with solid momentum following a 50-point win over the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park.
The Saints were hot early, taking a two-point lead into quarter-time before the Tigers started to get on top in the second, taking an 11-point lead into half-time.
A seven-goal-to-three third quarter saw the Tigers extend the margin to 35 points at the final break before another four goals in the last quarter saw them run out 18.15.123 to 10.13.73 winners.
Daniel Batson and Drew Schneider kicked four goals for the Tigers, with Deek Roberts being the best on the ground. Patrick Purcell, Jake McQueen, Jordan Zeitz, Nathan Alexander, and Joshua Lees were also among the best for the Tigers.
Fred Frew kicked three goals for the Saints, with Sam Clyne, Cody Bryan, Jackson Davidson, and William Taylor among their best.
Rats defeat Warriors to finish second
Ararat defeated Stawell by 35 points at Alexandra Oval with a solid win.
The Rats came out of the blocks firing, kicking six goals to one in the first quarter to take a 34-point lead into quarter-time. The Warriors kicked four goals in the second to reduce the margin by 16 points at the main break.
The Rats restricted the Warriors to one goal in the third quarter, adding three themselves to lead by 32 points at the final break.
A four-goal to two final quarter saw the Rats run out 15.15.105 to 10.10.70 winners.
Tom Mills kicked six goals for the Rats, and Tom Williamson sealed the league goalkicking with four goals. Henry Shea, Ben Taylor, Baydn Cosgriff, Alan Batchelor, James Jennings, and Sonny Kettle were the best players for the Rats.
Cody Driscoll kicked three goals for the Warriors, with Josh Linton, Jakob Salmi, Ash Driscoll, Sam Williams, and Sean Mantell their best.
Roos finish off a disappointing season with a win
Dimboola has withstood a late comeback from Minyip Murtoa to win by six points at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve.
The Burras kicked four first-quarter goals to lead by four points at quarter-time before the Roos kicked three in the second to lead by three points at half-time.
A five-goal to-zero third quarter saw the Roos lead by 33 points at the final break.
With pride to play for, the Burras stormed home in the last, kicking seven goals, but fell short, with the Roos winning 12.16.86 to 12.8.80.
Jackson Calder kicked seven goals for the Roos. Darcy Dubois, Andrew Moore, Jack Landt, Ben Miller, and Benjamin Brett were among their best players.
Jye Walter kicked three goals for the Burras. Dusty Cross, Luke Fisher, Kade Petering, Nic Ballagh, Tim McIntyre were among their best.