Football
16 September, 2024
Thunder through to grand final
The Southern Mallee Thunder will play Ararat in next week's Wimmera Football Netball League grand final following a comfortable 50-point win over Stawell at Murtoa Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
It was a tough first quarter, with the Warriors bringing the heat to the Thunder, but the Thunder kicked two goals to take a slender four-point lead into quarter-time.
The Thunder opened the game in the second quarter, kicking four goals, six behinds, and one goal to take a 28-point lead into the main break.
It was a do-or-die third quarter for the Warriors, and they fought valiantly, but the Thunder were too good, extending their margin to 37 points at the final break.
With the game already sewn up, the Thunder ran out of the game, kicking another three goals to one to win 13.12.90 to 5.10.40.
Brad Lowe kicked five goals in his second game back from a long layoff. Jackson Fisher, Thomas Clarke, Zachary Robins, Lou White and Billy Lloyd were among the Thunder's best players on the ground.
Mitchel Taylor, Josh Fowkes, Josh Linton, James Sullivan, Zachary Marrow and Ben Davis were the best players for Stawell.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty was pleased with the win, stating it was beneficial ahead of the grand final next week.
"I think certainly getting another game into us was beneficial, and coming away with a comfortable win in the end was a pleasing result," Delahunty said.
"To see Brad Lowe kick five goals was also pleasing. He has put in a power of work after having missed a fair chunk of the year, and he and Rupert Sangster have done a good job coming back after long layoffs and will be ready for next week."