Football
14 May, 2025
Ararat leave Eagles hanging
After previously referring to their opposition last Saturday as "Everest", Warrack coach Matt Walder was under no illusion as to the mountain his side would need to scale in Round Four of seniors in the Wimmera Football Netball League.
And up until half time, the points were within the Eagles' reach, before Ararat came out and climbed to new heights, leaving their opposition hanging.
"We had our moments up until half time, and defended reasonably well, and there were some good moments," the coach of the Eagles reflected.
"Then after half-time, they kicked a couple and put a bit more separation on us, and as the game wore on, they got hold of us and we couldn't hang on unfortunately.
"The best showed what they do over 120 minutes, and we have to learn to see it out a bit longer, but they certainly presented a challenge from minute one to minute 120."
The Eagles were down by 26 points at the end of the first quarter - 0.3 (3) to 4.5 (29) and were down 30 points at halftime.
That gap was extended to 50 going into the last quarter, with final scores 4.7 (31) to 19.20 (134).
"It's like any side in the game, if your pressure is up, and if you aren't giving them free use of the footy, halving contests is the big thing, and we did that, it was just we couldn't penetrate going back the other way," Walder said.
"We held up defensively pretty well, and the pressure was high and we denied them some of the ball, but as the game got on, the pressure got relief and they got on top and we were able to maintain it."
Riley Morrow and Sam Hanna were a couple of the best players for the Eagles, while Baydn Cosgriff and Ben Taylor were brilliant for the victors.
While the Eagles had four individual goal scorers, Ararat mainly scored through Tom Williamson (six majors) and Jack Ganley (four).
"Riley off half back was one of our better players, while Sam through the middle found the footy a lot and took a lot of marks around the ground," Walder said.
"Declan Powell on a wing showed moments, along with Nick Ingram, Mr Versatile, we had him at half-back and half-forward, so he had his moments as well."