Roos rise to end Demons’ finals bid
Dimboola earned its second successive win and third of the season by downing Horsham on Saturday, effectively ending the Demons’ finals bid in the process.
With its season on the line, Horsham came out firing with five first quarter goals – the first time all season it had booted five in an opening term.
The Roos refused to be rattled though, taking control of the match in the second quarter to earn a threepoint lead at the half.
With coach Justin Beugelaar and youngster Tom O’dwyer, four goals each, proving a handful for the Horsham backline, the Roos started to extend their advantage in the second half.
Midfielder Matthew Rosier showed his class in a best on ground performance, supported by the likes of Ash Clugston and three-goal Jayden Lehmann.
Horsham was gallant in defeat, recording its second-highest score of the season in the 17.11 (113) to 15.6 (96) loss.
Coach Deek Roberts and defender Ben Lakin were again among the Demons’ best, while Brad Hartigan and Cullen Williams each kicked three
goals, but the team could not contain Dimboola’s many goalkickers.
Horsham is now two wins and percentage adrift of Horsham Saints after the Saints’ 14.21 (105) to 2.8 (20) win against Warrack Eagles and seems all but certain of missing the finals for the first time since 2001.
The Saints, meanwhile, surged to a sixth win from their past seven matches, dismantling the Eagles and atoning for a two-point loss to the team earlier in the season.
Playing an annual Blue Ribbon match, the Saints controlled the game everywhere except the scoreboard in the first quarter – booting 2.13 to 0.0.
Once the team straightened out its kicking the game was no contest, as Connor and Jacob O’beirne paired with coach Luke Fisher and Angus Gove to overrun the Eagles.
Angus Martin and Sam Breuer, three goals each, were among six Saints who kicked multiple goals.
For the Eagles, Dane Stewart, Riley Morrow and Phillip Heubner joined usual suspects Ryan Mckenzie, Nick Peters and Jake Peters as the best named players.
Stawell suffered a 17.16 (118) to 7.3 (45) loss to ladder leader Minyip-murtoa at the weekend but has plenty to look forward to this round when its hosts the Saints.
The club will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the merger between Stawell and the Warriors to form the Stawell Warriors in 1999.
A presentation of special jumpers commemorating the history of both clubs will be at 2pm, with dinner after the senior game starting at 6.30pm followed by the announcement of a Stawell Warriors 20 years all-star team and a jumper auction.
Minyip-murtoa, which was led to victory against Stawell by starring performances from forwards Jae McGrath, four goals, and Brad Inglis, six, will now set its sights on Horsham.
A win would guarantee coach John Delahunty’s men will finish the season atop the ladder as minor premiers.
Second-placed Ararat will also be keen to test itself as it returns from a bye against Southern Mallee Giants.
The Giants brushed aside Nhill in a 15.17 (107) to 8.13 (61) victory on Saturday, Clint Burdett, Sam Weddell and coach Coleman Schache all prominent.
For Nhill, Frederick Stephan, Toby Case, Matthew Mccallum and Liam Albrecht were among the standouts.
The Tigers will be on the road in round 15 when they take on Warrack Eagles at Brim.