Saints are marching in
Another impressive finish to a Wimmera Football League season has Horsham Saints pounding at the door of a potential grand-final play-off.
The Saints have won their last four games in a row and need only get over a disappointing Minyip-murtoa at Murtoa on Saturday to complete a near-perfect run to the finals.
Horsham Saints had a similar finish to the home-and-away season last year, but suggestions are that the team is in a better position this time around.
Now sitting third on the ladder, the Saints came out on top over Warrack Eagles in a trying low-scoring game at Coughlin Park at the weekend.
The one-point win, with Toohey Medallist Sam Clyne leading the way, confirmed the team’s reputation as easily one of the best winter-weather outfits in the competition.
Jayden Egan also featured in the win, as did coach Luke Fisher and ruckman Michael Rowe. Jacob Cooke-harrison, back in the seniors after missing most of the season with personal commitments, fell just short of appearing like he hadn’t missed a beat.
The Saints play Minyip-murtoa in a match that represents Damian Cameron’s final stint as Burras coach.
Minyip-murtoa was also involved in a neck-and-neck struggle, losing by the barest of margins to a spoiling Stawell. The Burras, who had John Delahunty, Angus Trethowan and Luke Chamberlain leading best-player cards, will want to finish the season well after missing the finals.
Stawell might be ruing a season of missed opportunity, but has another chance to worry a finalist when it takes on Horsham.
The Warriors have plenty of players putting their hands up in the twilight of the season, with Sean Mantell, Jackson Dark, Angus Barham and Damian Joiner all good on Saturday.
Stawell hadn’t been far off the pace in games against Southern Mallee Giants and the Eagles before its win on Saturday.
Horsham is coming off a bye and will take the Warriors lightly at its own peril.
Regroup
Warrack Eagles leaders would have far from enjoyed the result against the Saints last week but have a chance to regroup against Dimboola.
The Eagles are somewhere thereabouts in the finals equation and will finish the season with a win.
Ruckman Shannon Argall, who won a Blue Ribbon Medal on Saturday, looms as a critical part of the Eagles’ finals equation.
He was in good form again on the weekend, alongside Nick Peters, Daniel Bell and Jake Peters.
At the same time, Dimboola ran into a Giants team drawing up finals battle plans and came off second best to the tune of 160 points.
Michael Pohlner, Elliot Braithwaite and Darcy Barber again flew the flag for the Roos.
The Giants, meanwhile, will finish off their home-and-away season against Nhill at Hopetoun and will need to keep their guard up against the Tigers, on the hunt for an 11thhour scalp.
The Tigers gave Ararat a hurry-up last week, finishing the contest only 11 points in arrears. Nick Bone led the Tigers’ challenge, alongside Ben Pollock and Stephen Craig.
Ararat prevailed with Jake Robinson, Riley Taylor and Martin Brown winning club votes.