Three teams fighting for final spot
Three teams are fighting for their position in senior football finals in Wimmera Football Netball League round 18.
Dimboola, Horsham and Southern Mallee Giants need to get a win on the board this week for a position in the top five. If all three have a win, their chance at finals will come down to percentage.
Dimboola will face Warrack Eagles, who are coming off a strong win against the Saints in round 17.
When they last met, the Roos defeated the Eagles by 41 points and will be confident they can perform again.
Horsham will have a challenge, taking on third-placed Stawell, however, after a strong performance on Saturday are tough contenders.
The young Horsham side has been building throughout the year and will fight hard for the win.
Southern Mallee Giants are set to hit the oval with a very different team than when they previously faced the Horsham Saints.
The Giants will have to continue with their recent form to have a win.
Minyip-murtoa will remain in second position and is likely to have another win when it faces Nhill in the final home-and-away round.
In round 17, Ararat was overpowered by Horsham in its third loss of the season. The Demons were in front early and some inaccurate goal kicking by the Rats saw the visitors continue to build on the margin.
Despite Ararat having a stronger second half, the Demons were able to maintain the lead to win.
Rhona Conboy, with four goals, and Cullen Williams were instrumental in the win for the Demons.
Ararat’s Jordan Cox also kicked four goals and Cody Lindsay played well.
Warrack Eagles outplayed Horsham Saints to win by 44 points despite a slow second quarter.
With only one point at quarter time to the Saints it looked to be over early, however, in the second half they kept the home team to one goal and were rapidly reducing the margin.
However, the Saints could not maintain the energy and the Eagles stormed home to take the win.
Ryan Mckenzie kicked seven of Warrack Eagles’ 14 goals and Jake O’donnell was key for the winning team.
Will Brennan and Angus Martin were best players for the Saints.
Feeling a taste of finals football, Minyip-murtoa narrowly defeated Stawell.
The Warriors had the jump on Minyip-murtoa early, leading at half time.
In true Burras fashion, the side came out firing in the second half to win by one point. Mitch Johns and Jake Ballagh were crucial to the Burras’ comeback in the second half.
Thomas Eckel and Jarrod Stafford were consistent all game and worked hard to try and slow Minyip-murtoa down.
Southern Mallee Giants overpowered Nhill and kept the Tigers to eight points, while a particularly high-scoring first half set them up for a big win.
Riley Cook and Coleman Schache were strong across the oval for the Giants.
Jarryd Dahlenburg and Liam Albrecht were best players for the Tigers. This week: Dimboola v Warrack Eagles, Horsham v Stawell, Horsham Saints v Southern Mallee Giants, Minyip-murtoa v Nhill at Murtoa. Ararat, bye. Last week: Horsham 13.8 (86) d Ararat 10.11 (71), Warrack Eagles 14.11 (95) d Horsham Saints 7.9 (51), Minyip-murtoa 9.10 (64) d Stawell 9.9 (63), Southern Mallee Giants 17.11 (113) d Nhill 1.2 (8). Ladder: Ararat 52 points, 191.79 percent; Minyip-murtoa 48, 135.26; Stawell 40, 137.09; Horsham 28, 135.17; Dimboola 28, 118.46; Southern Mallee Giants 28, 101.54; Horsham Saints 16, 70.31; Warrack Eagles 16, 62.01; Nhill 4, 44.14.