Demons primed for more success
Arising crop of talent appears set to maintain a powerful grip on Wimmera Football League’s premiership cup as Horsham celebrates back-to-back flags.
A year from now, Horsham’s youthful list again promises to be hard to beat and represents a mighty benchmark for the rest of the competition.
Some of the Demons involved at the role-play forefront of Horsham’s impressive come-from-behind victory over Southern Mallee Giants last weekend were relative youngsters.
Emphasising the significance of Horsham’s burgeoning young brigade at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park was teenage bombshell Ben Hobbs.
The young flanker, 15, might have fallen short of winning best-onground accolades in the big game, but he wasn’t far behind a mighty standard set by irrepressible Binns Medallist Ben Lakin and veteran big man Jordyn Burke.
Horsham beat the highly favoured Giants, in their first year in the competition and in their first grand-final appearance, by 20 points in warm and blustery conditions.
The Coleman Schache-inspired Giants, with athletic ruckman Reece Mcnally jumping out of his skin and rover Clint Burdett busy early, pounced on the Demons with the wind in the opening term and also held sway by 14 points at the main change. The Giants, employing a penetrating long-kicking game, at times appeared well in charge of the contest but failed to deliver a killer blow as Horsham’s Lakin and handy lieutenant Cullen Williams continually provided defensive relief for their team.
Horsham responded gamely to a sniff at the contest in the third term, constructing a quality against-thewind game and seizing the initiative, the likes of forward John Wood standing tall and livewire Brodie Mines sharking anything at ground level.
Kemp, who had to endure a hard Lou White tag, fought his way off the leash to win critical touches, Brad Hartigan started to heavily influence 50-50 midfield contests and veteran Josh Mibus, who finished with four majors, presented a mighty avenue to goal.
Burke worked hard throughout the contest, in the air and on the deck, and his continual influence roaming through the centre corridor in the second half paid dividends.
Momentum
Critical third-quarter goals gave the Demons momentum going into the final term and with the wind still blowing to the scoreboard end and Horsham establishing control of clearances, many watchers predicted a big finish from the reigning premier.
A flurry of last-quarter goals put the Demons in front and suddenly – and despite only a couple of kicks separating the teams – the sting seemed to disappear from the Giants’ game.
Schache, a star for most of the day, continued to lead by example and Sam Weddell repelled many Horsham attacking forays by slipping into a defensive hole and rebounding with his trademark left foot.
But Horsham ultimately found itself in complete control and Hartigan iced the cake with a finishing goal moments before the final siren.
While the Giants experienced loss, the club’s season was a comprehensive success after shifting from Horsham District league at the start of the year.
Accolades flowed for and from the Demons amid celebrations after the game. Burke said he had little doubt the Demons were approaching another exciting era.
“We had five juniors play seniors during the year and the truth is we’re probably several years ahead of time. Going forward it is really exciting,” he said.
Coach Deek Roberts, who missed the finals while recovering from a broken leg, was also delighted with the result.
When asked if the result meant ‘just another premiership win for Horsham’ he responded with: “I’ll tell you what it means. It’s about blokes who have been dropped for a grand final and never having played in one getting their chance. It’s about blokes who have played juniors the whole time at Horsham coming through and winning a flag. It’s about blokes who have come back and get to win a senior flag.
“I tell you what, any flag you win could be your last. We’ve had everything thrown at us this year but internally we’ve just kept working, kept building.”
Roberts also responded to a question about whether he felt he had missed out because of his injury.
“It feels just as good as playing. If I died tonight I do so as the happiest man alive,” he said.
In other results during the day, Horsham Saints reserves scored a comprehensive 56-point win over Minyip-murtoa.
An under-17 Battle of the Great Divide between Ararat and Stawell went Ararat’s way to the tune of 36 points, Matthew Spalding kicking five goals for the winners.
Ararat also won an under-14 game, beating Horsham by 54 points.