Demons stand tall in defeat

Horsham Demons’ girls team came within two goals of capturing a maiden Deakin University Female Football League junior division premiership on Friday night.

The Demons played off in the premiership decider against powerhouse South Warrnambool Roosters, who had not lost a game all season, at Hamilton’s Melville Oval.

While the Roosters defeated the Demons by 81 points during the home and away season and 39 points in a non-elimination semi-final in July, it was clear from the outset they would be made to work much harder in the grand final.

A South Warrnambool behind was the only score in the first quarter as slick conditions made ball control difficult for both teams.

The Demons got on the board with a behind of their own in the second term, but South Warrnambool extended its lead with a crucial goal to give itself breathing room.

The only score for the third quarter was a behind, bringing Horsham within a kick of the lead, but a goal to Rooster Ceeara Rantall – the team’s best player – sealed the premiership in the final quarter.

The final score was South Warrnambool 2.4 (16) to Horsham 0.4 (4).

Despite the loss there was plenty to be happy about for Horsham, which held the Roosters to by far their lowest score of the season.

Among the Demons’ best players were Jemma Thomas, Nekaela Butler, Lauren Sykes and Holly Nuske, the latter two of whom finished in the top five of the league best and fairest count at the weekend.

Stawell Warriors’ Crystal Summers was the winner of the award, polling 23 votes to win easily from South Warrnambool’s Stella Bridgewater on 17 votes. Sykes and Nuske polled 14 and 12 votes respectively to finish fourth and fifth in the count.