Football
4 July, 2024
Tigers and Panthers battle in match of the round
Pimpinio hosts Rupanyup in the match of the round in round twelve of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Both teams are sitting in fifth and sixth, three games ahead of Kalkee and Edenhope. Mathematically, those two teams can still catch up, so a win is vital as it will probably secure the winner a finals spot.
Pimpinio's troubles all year have been their second halves, particularly the third quarters. If you go out slow after half-time against Rupanyup, they will punish you on the scoreboard.
The Tigers welcome Adam Westley back from suspension, and Nick Groves should also return.
It will be a special day at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve when Lakers stalwart David "Ritchie" Campey plays his 412th game in the reserves, breaking the Lakers' game record.
The Lakers host Natimuk and will be eyeing their third win of the year, while the Rams will be looking to get off the bottom of the ladder with a win, as they have a better percentage on Kaniva Leeor.
Kaniva Leeor hosts the Swifts in what will be a tough match. The Baggies are not only eyeing second but also the top spot.
Paul Summers has kicked 72 goals for the season, and as a consistent forward, stopping him needs to be a focus. However, he is hard to stop, and stopping the delivery to him is also easier said than done.
Cougars coach Jonno Hicks knows they have a tough finish to the season.
"We have competed well in patches recently, and we know the Baggies are super impressive moving the footy, and we are keen to play them again," Hicks said.
"We have no false ideas about the finish to the season. We know it is challenging. We will work on how we can improve and learn.
"It's a learning year, and it's about getting individual guys to progress, and if we can get a couple of wins, it would be great."
Kalkee hosts Laharum, who secured their best win of the year last week in a thriller against Rupanyup. Laharum was missing five starters, and Kalkee was missing a few players.
Both teams will look to get those respective players back. It will be a tough match for Laharum as Kalkee has improved considerably over the last month.
Demons co-coach Shannon Argall said that Brett Ervin will be back.
"We rotated a couple of guys like Hamish Roberts through the seconds, so he will be back, and Brett Ervin is back," Argall said.
"Being where we are on the ladder is a good time to stabilise the side. Riley Lenehan and Olly Sykes will be back over the coming weeks, which will be good."
Noradjuha Quantong will welcome back Zac Kelly and potentially Brock Orval when they host Edenhope Apsley.
The Saints need to win, as a loss will probably put them out of finals contention. The Bombers are eyeing the top two. Judah Hobbs is second on the goal-kicking list, scoring 41 goals. Heading into the bye, he scored 17 goals in two games and is growing as the season progresses.