Rivals ready for Anzac Day clash

lengthy injury list has done nothing to diaminish

Ararat’s enthusiasm as it searches for its third straight win to start the season against Nhill on Saturday.

The Rats are basking in the glow of a hard-fought Good Friday victory against Stawell at North Park, the only Wimmera Football League match of the Easter long weekend.

But coach Shane Fisher said the team could make up to six changes before its meeting with Nhill after being struck by a spate of injuries.

Tyler Cronin, hamstring, Adam Haslett, ankle, and Dylan Shelley, concussion, were sidelined before half-time, leaving the Rats with no interchange rotations in the second half.

Ararat led by 26 points at the final change but was tested by the determined Warriors, who booted 4.6 to 3.1 in the fourth quarter.

Ararat did enough to hang on for a 13.11 (89) to 10.14 (74) win, moving to top spot on the ladder.

Tom Mills slotted four goals for the visitors and Daniel Mendes booted two in a best-on-ground performance.

Fisher said he was proud of his team for hanging on to beat the fast-finishing Warriors, labeling the game a ‘stepping stone’ in the Rats’ development.

“It was something we spoke about at half time and after the game as well, that this would prove a lot to them as a group,” he said.

“It was a couple of good sides playing against each other and it was a testament to our boys to hang on when none of them got a rest, because they were out on their feet in the last 10 minutes of the game.”

Fisher said the Rats’ depth would be tested this weekend against Nhill.

He said the likes of James Hosking and recruit Dylan Gordge, who have played well in the reserves, could be in line to earn senior berths.

“We’ve got a bit of depth in the twos, which is positive, and we want to continue to push up and win games of footy in the next few weeks.

“Nhill has turned over its list a fair bit and they’ve got some quality in there.

“I watched their game against Dimboola and they moved the footy very well.

“I think it’s going to be a close year, the scores have shown that so far, and you wouldn’t want to take Nhill lightly up at Nhill.

“We certainly won’t, because list-wise probably be a little bit underdone.”

Stawell will be left to rue its inaccuracy after letting a golden chance to beat the Rats go begging.

There were bright spots for the Warriors however, with Tom Eckel’s four-goal haul keeping his side in the contest.

The Warriors will not have a chance to atone for the loss until next month after a bye this week.

In other matches this round, reigning premier Horsham will host cross-town rival Horsham Saints in a blockbuster Anzac Day clash at Horsham City Oval tomorrow.

The annual meeting between the sides has been dominated by Horsham since the Saints’ last win in 2015, but the Saints showed they are far from easy-beats with a competitive performance against Minyip-murtoa in round one. Horsham is an unknown quantity after a first-up bye.

Warrack Eagles will host the Southern Mallee Giants at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park on Saturday in what looms as a tough match for the home side.

Minyip-murtoa will travel to Dimboola for a meeting between two sides looking to consolidate round-one wins and stake an early claim for a topfour position. we’ll