Tough battles ahead in Wimmera
Ararat will be looking to go six from six this week in Wimmera Football Netball League action when it makes the trip to face Southern Mallee Giants.
The ladder leader has been too strong for every team it has faced so far and is likely to remain undefeated in the upcoming round.
Warrack Eagles were no match for the efficiency of the Rats, who established an early lead and debilitated the Eagles across the oval.
A strong first quarter saw a five-goal lead with the Eagles unable to score a goal until the second term.
By half time the Rats were looking comfortable with a seven-goal lead.
Alan Batchelor and Jordan Cox were significant contributors and kicked two goals each.
The Eagles were determined not to give up as Ryan Mckenzie worked hard and was supported by Caleb Powell and Matthew Jaensch.
Ararat’s offence had to work harder in the final half with three goals each quarter, but the Eagles could not reduce the margin and were 70 points behind at the final siren.
Game of the round went to Dimboola and Stawell, who fought it out until the final moments, when scores were level halfway through the final term.
Dimboola was off to a slow start and Stawell was able to secure four goals to the home team’s one before the end of the first quarter.
Stawell found itself stuck in the second quarter and Dimboola jumped ahead with quick movement of the football down the oval.
It was anyone’s game after half time and Stawell managed to get one goal up before the final quarter.
After some back and forth in the midfield, it was 70 points apiece and both teams were working hard to get the ball into their forward 50s.
Defensive pressure from Dimboola limited the Warriors’ scoring and some quick points from the Roos saw them sneak over the line at the final chance.
With three goals, Jack Landt was across the oval providing opportunities for the home team, while Jayden Lehmann was key in the ruck and Justin Beugelaar worked hard in defence.
Stawell’s Thomas Eckel kicked three goals and was key for the Warriors while Cameron Kimber and Ethan Morrow were instrumental.
Horsham Saints put their first win on the board when they hosted Nhill and came away with a 40-point win.
After jumping two goals ahead in the first quarter, the Saints continued to steadily build on their lead throughout the game.
Cody Bryan and Mitch Martin were vital in the home team’s success.
Mitchell Dahlenburg, Lucas Dahlenburg and Liam Albrecht combined well throughout the game for Nhill.
The Saints increased their lead after half time to three goals and in the final term worked hard to limit the Tigers’ scoring opportunities.
Angus Martin and Matt Combe were significant goal-kickers for the Saints with four each.
Southern Mallee Giants had a tough day out against Horsham at the city oval with a 58-point loss. It was a close start and the Giants had an early lead on the board before Horsham turned the tide in the second quarter and had a 10-point buffer heading into the main break.
The Giants were unable to get another goal in the final half and the Demons used their opportunities to move down the oval and score.
A strong final term from the home team secured it the win and bumped it to third position on the ladder.
Horsham’s Patrick Purcell, Benjamin Janetzki and Hudson Hair were effective in their roles across the four quarters. Deek Roberts kicked three goals for the home team.
Sam White, Sam Bromley-lynch and Josh Bromley-lynch worked hard all game for the Giants but could not match the Demons.
Horsham will have another chance to prove itself when it comes up against a strong Minyip-murtoa side.
After the bye the Burras will run out on fresh legs and look to continue their positive start to the season.
Dimboola will be coming off a high and looking to get itself out of negative points when it faces a winless Nhill.
The rivalry in the west is always intense as teams battle it out for the ‘Luv-a-duck Cup’.
Stawell will be hopeful it can repeat its strong performance from round five but come away with a win when it faces Warrack Eagles. This week: Minyip-murtoa v Horsham, Nhill v Dimboola, Southern Mallee Giants v Ararat, Stawell v Warrack Eagles. Horsham Saints, bye. Last week: Horsham Saints 14.3 (97) d Nhill 8.9 (57), Horsham 13.16 (94) d Southern Mallee Giants 4.12 (36), Dimboola 10.13 (73) d Stawell 10.10 (70), Ararat 13.10 (88) d Warrack Eagles 2.6 (18).