Demons in final
Horsham Demons’ junior female footballers are preparing for their first ever grand final appearance on Friday night.
The team won its way to the Deakin University Female Football League junior grand final with a 4.6 (30) to 0.6 (6) preliminary final victory against Warrnambool in Hamilton on Sunday.
The Demons, who finished second on the ladder, started slowly and failed to register a score in the first term, but took control of the match in the second with 2.4 to one behind.
Nekaela Butler, fresh from a two-game stint with the Western Bulldogs in the VFL Women’s competition, was a standout, kicking a goal and helping turn the match in Horsham’s favour.
Lauren Sykes failed to kick a goal for the first time in her past five matches, but was still among Horsham’s best, while Miette Hopper, Briodi Cook and Paige Glover all hit the scoreboard to help finish off the win.
Horsham faces a challenging opponent in the grand final, with undefeated South Warrnambool waiting.
The sides met in a semi final on June 21, with South Warrnambool defeating Horsham 5.9 (39) to 0.0 (0).
Despite not scoring, the Demons managed to hold the Roosters to one of their lowest scores of the season in the game.
Seniors
Horsham Demons made a long trek to take on undefeated South Warrnambool after the game had a late venue change to Mack Oval.
An atypically sunny Warrnambool July day led to a clean, fast, free-flowing game of football, with the ladder leaders jumping out of the blocks to a three-goal lead at quarter time.
Kate Mclean continued her clinical performance in front of goal, kicking the first of the second quarter and the Demons’ only goal for the match, giving the team a burst of energy and enthusiasm.
The Demons held the Roosters goalless in the second quarter with strong defensive pressure, but lacked scoreboard pressure of their own.
The second half continued the see-sawing game of football, with the ball flowing deep into each team’s forward line but both sides struggling to make an impact on the scoreboard.
The Demons charged forward early in the last, creating a number of early opportunities without kicking a goal.
The Roosters were able to counter attack, kicking two goals of their own and putting the game to bed.
An exhausted Demons side left nothing on the park in a sensational four-quarter effort.
The team welcomed four new debutants in Kahlee Papst, Tegan Kerrins, Bonnie Delahunty and Olivia Heubener – all performing well and giving to the Demons’ good run.
The best players for the day were Faith Mckenzie, Meaghan Pohlner, Beth Bates, Amy Shrive, Tegan Kerrins and Sophie Robinson.