Big-occasion rivalry
Horsham’s Joel Geue hugs the ball to his chest while under pressure from Horsham Saints’ Xander Mcrae during a Wimmera league Anzac Day match under lights at Horsham City Oval. Horsham proved too good for their cross-town rivals, winning the clash by 58 points.
Wimmera league teams will settle into the season’s rhythm this weekend with normal fixturing returning after a run of standalone public-holiday games in the opening two rounds.
The traditional Horsham clash between the Saints and Demons headlined Monday’s Anzac Day schedule with a night match at Horsham City Oval.
The Saints with their young side, took up the Demons’ challenge in the first quarter and hit the first huddle with a two-point deficit, before the Demons stretched their legs in the second to lead by 33 at half time.
The game held firm during the third as the Saints outscored the Demons three goals to two, before the Demons kicked out with a late-game barrage to take the win by 58 points.
Demons experience helped put a young Saints side to the sword as big man Josh Mibus contributed six majors while Josh Geue had three by the end.
Young Demon Rhys Barber claimed the prestigious Bert Perry Medal.
The Demons welcome Dimboola to the city oval this weekend.
The Roos would hope a short matchday turnaround would hamper an early-season Demons charge.
They will be searching for a win after a narrow loss to Minyip-murtoa last week.
The Burras led at every change and started the final quarter 29 points in front before time got the better of a last-quarter Roos surge that produced five goals to two.
Minyip-murtoa will host Warrack Eagles this Saturday in Murtoa for what should end in a Burras celebration.
The Eagles got their season going last week against a rampant Southern Mallee Giants after a round-one bye and an Easter break handed Warrack an extended preseason.
The Eagles were unable to capitalise on the extra preparation time though, as the Giants claimed a 76-point win.
The Giants’ 21-goal haul also included a brilliant eight-goal-to-one third quarter including a bag of five for Josh Webster.
Ararat was ruthless against Nhill last week and Rats key forward and reigning best and fairest Tom Mills proved to be the main man with nine goals by the time the Alexandra Oval siren called time.
The Rats’ 119-point win was not necessarily a stain against Nhill but more evidence Ararat has brought the right players back to the club.
Ararat heads to Coughlin Park this week for a Horsham Saints rendezvous, while Nhill will host last week’s bye-team, Stawell. This week: Nhill v Stawell, Minyipmurtoa v Warrack Eagles, Horsham Saints v Ararat, Horsham Demons v Dimboola, Southern Mallee Giants bye. Last week: Southern Mallee Giants 21.14 (140) d Warrack Eagles 10.4. (64), Ararat 21.18 (144) d Nhill 4.1 (25), Minyip-murtoa 11.9 (75) d 9.14 (68), Horsham Demons 16.14 (110) d Horsham Saints 7.10 (52). Ladder: Ararat 8 points, 275 percent; Southern Mallee Giants 8, 187.79; Horsham Demons 8, 166.67; Minyip-murtoa 8, 129.31; Dimboola 0, 74.49; Stawell 0, 59.17; Horsham Saints 0, 54.05; Warrack Eagles 0, 45.71; Nhill 0, 40.96.