Smooth ride to finish
Horsham District senior football top sides will be hoping for a smooth ride into finals with two home-and-away rounds left for the season.
Sitting in the top position, Rupanyup will face Kaniva-leeor United in round 15 and after a solid performance in round 14, will be looking to back it up with another win.
Kalkee will have to play some of its best football against Noradjuha-quantong, but is likely to come away with the win.
Harrow-balmoral will need two successful rounds to secure a week off in the first round of finals and might be challenged by finals contenders, Swifts.
In round 14, Rupanyup defeated Harrow-balmoral by 12 points after the Southern Roos spent the game trying to catch up to the Panthers.
Rupanyup came out of the blocks hard and by half time had a six-goal lead, before Harrow-balmoral fought back in the final quarter to reduce the margin.
Jack Kreuzberger and Mitchell Gleeson were key in the Panthers retaining their lead for the game.
Michael Close and Peter Staude were standouts for Harrow-balmoral.
A final quarter push got Swifts over the line against Noradjuha-quantong after trailing all game.
The Bombers had a solid first and third quarter, limiting Swifts’ ability to capitalise on having the ball in the forward 50.
Some quick goals and pressure on the ball in the final quarter saw the Swifts narrowly jump in front to win by four points.
Jakob Salmi and Scott Carey were crucial in the Swifts comeback, while Wade Francis and Austin Smith played well for Noradjuha-quantong.
Jeparit-rainbow overpowered Taylors Lake, kicking 29 goals for the game, and restricted the Lakers to four goals.
Lochie Donne and Jakob Cocks displayed strong performances for Storm, while Matthew Mcculloch and Hunter Campey remained determined for Taylors Lake all game.
Natimuk United was no match for Kalkee, who was a force on the oval, winning by 115 points.
Jasper Gunn and Simon Hobbs continued their strong performances for the Kees with another great game.
Jarred Combe and Jonathan Lovel were best players for Natimuk United.
Edenhope-apsley was too strong for Kaniva-leeor United, with a high-scoring first quarter setting the scene for the rest of the game.
The Cougars were playing catch-up all game, but with no scores from the visiting team in the third quarter, the Saints ran home with the win.
Ben Mcintyre and Timothy Mcintyre were crucial for the Saints’ win, while Hamish Bennett and Liam Feder played well for Kaniva-leeor United.
Pimpinio added its third win of the season to the board when it defeated Laharum by 14 points on Saturday.
While Laharum led until three-quarter time, a five-goal final quarter from the Tigers saw them win.
Mackay Baker and Clint Burdett were key in turning the tide of the game for Pimpinio.
Laharum’s Brett Ervin and Jackson Price worked hard for the Demons all game.
In round 15, Laharum is set for another tough week when it faces Edenhope-apsley.
Natimuk United will be hoping to get another win on the board when it takes on Taylors Lake.
As Jeparit-rainbow prepares to head into finals, it will likely be too strong for Pimpinio. This week: Harrow-balmoral v Swifts at Harrow, Noradjuha-quantong v Kalkee, Pimpinio v Jeparit-rainbow, Laharum v Edenhope-apsley, Rupanyup v Kaniva-leeor United, Natimuk United v Taylors Lake. Last week: Kalkee 22.18 (150) d Natimuk United 5.5 (35), Swifts 8.14
(62) d Noradjuha-quantong 9.4 (58), Rupanyup 12.15 (87) d Harrow-balmoral 12.3 (75), Edenhope-apsley 19.9 (123) d Kaniva-leeor United 7.7 (49), Pimpinio 10.11 (71) d Laharum 8.9 (57), Jeparit-rainbow 29.25 (198) d Taylors Lake 4.5 (29). Ladder: Rupanyup 52 points, 216.05 percent; Kalkee 48, 213.4l;
Harrow-balmoral 48, 197.33; Jeparit-rainbow 40, 191.33; Swifts 38, 172.87; Edenhope-apsley 30, 170.02; Noradjuha-quantong 28, 121.99; Natimuk United 12, 56.44; Laharum 12, 50.80; Pimpinio 12, 50.47; Kaniva-leeor United 12, 43.38; Taylors Lake 4, 31.63.