Horsham’s surge
Reigning premier Horsham will attempt to place a boot on the neck of Wimmera Football League newcomers Southern Mallee Giants when they meet under lights on Saturday.
The Demons are looking sharp with a twofrom-two result so far this season and considering the hype during the season build-up would consider the Giants a mighty early-season scalp.
The Demons were never in doubt in a one-sided Sunday encounter against Dimboola last week, barely taking the foot off the pedal as they stormed to a 144-point win.
The visitors loaded the guns up every quarter and finished off the contest with a 10-goal final term and will now take that ominous form into a night game at Horsham City Oval.
Ryan Kemp heads a string of danger men for the Demons after another sterling performance and a seven-goal haul.
He, coach Deek Roberts and Josh Mibus kicked 18 goals between them on Saturday and alongside Darcy Taylor, Ben Lakin and Beau Cross found themselves in the Demons’ top six best players.
The Giants meanwhile, find themselves in unfamiliar territory in needing to rebound after a loss to Minyip-murtoa.
The Giants appeared well in the hunt to pull off the biggest win in their short time in the competition at Hopetoun, but tripped up in the final term and came up 15 points on the wrong end of the result.
But the Giants led at every change, a fact that will be far from lost on Roberts and the rest of the Horsham brains trust. Reece Mcnally headlined the Giants’ efforts last weekend, athletic Sam Weddell continued his rise in stature and Nick O’farrell bagged four goals.
Tyler Lehmann was good again, as were Zac Robins and James Wray under the leadership of coach Coleman Schache.
Fans are in for a treat when the Demons and Giants clash from 6.20pm.
Solid start
Earlier in the day Ararat, experiencing a sofar-so-good foray into the season, will attempt to consolidate a top-three spot, against Dimboola.
The Rats wanted a good start to the season and a one-point win over Horsham Saints last weekend would have done plenty to load up the confidence stocks.
The visitors were locked in an arm-wrestle all day at Horsham’s Coughlin Park, ultimately prevailing despite failing to kick a goal in the final term.
Jack and Harry Ganley, alongside Dan Mendes, Liam Arnott, workhorse Ryan Bates and Zach Louder all earned club votes for their efforts in the low-scoring game.
Some in the Ararat camp might have already pencilled in a win over the Roos but should be wary.
Dimboola has had a nightmare draw to start the season and would consider the clash against the Rats at Ararat’s Alexandra Oval a chance to rebuild its season.
Such a heavy loss to Horsham would have sent alarm bells ringing in the Roos’ camp and if they are any chance to match the Rats will need to find more avenues to goal.
Coach Al Mckinnon was among the few to fly the flag for the Dimboola cause last week, with Josh Edgar, Jayden Lehmann, Eliot Braithwaite, Darcy Dubois and Justin Beugelaar also getting mentions.
Intrigue
The other two games at the weekend also offer plenty of intrigue with Stawell coming off a bye to play Nhill and Minyip-murtoa meeting Warrack Eagles.
The Eagles proved 10 goals better than Nhill last week, bouncing back after disappointment against the Giants, and will enjoy the challenge of taking on the Burras.
The Eagles had plenty of winners against Nhill, ranging from veteran Jeremy Clayton to Nick Peters and Jack Wilson to ruckman Shannon Argall.
But the Burras also shone, on-baller Pat Purcell getting plenty of the ball, Callum Hobbs winning accolades and others such as coach Damian Cameron, Mitch Cronin and four-goal Kieran Delahunty performing well.
Nhill would have been disappointed with its first-up effort last week, especially at home, and will want to prove itself against old adversary Stawell.
On-field leader Liam Albrecht is rarely missing from best-player lists and put his hand up again last week with Dylan Webb, Darcy Honeyman, Lochie Pilgrim and Ben Jones.
Stawell has had a massive break since round one and watchers across the league will be tuning in to see how well the Warriors respond to new leadership.