Sport
17 August, 2023
Ararat overpowers Saints
The Horsham Saints lost by 83 points to premiership favourites Ararat on Saturday in Round 17 of the Wimmera Football Netball League. The Saints were competitive early in the first half trailing by two points at quarter time and then nine at half...
The Horsham Saints lost by 83 points to premiership favourites Ararat on Saturday in Round 17 of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Saints were competitive early in the first half trailing by two points at quarter time and then nine at half time. It was, however, the second half where Ararat started getting on top piling on 13 goals to one to win 21.14.140 to 8.9.57.
Despite the loss, Saints coach Ben Knott now knows what they need to do to beat them in the finals and spoke about the match.
“It was probably similar to the first time we played them. We were with them then for three quarters and they flexed their muscles in the last. This time around, we were competitive for two quarters in a free flowing game and after half time we couldn’t get out hands on the footy. Ararat moved the ball well and we couldn’t go with them,” Knott said.
“We need to win contests. They were winning in the air and on the deck. We need to win more contests so we can get our hands on the footy and be competitive,” Knott explained.
Gage Wright was excellent for the Saints leading from the front and Daniel Rees showed some flare on the wing whilst Jarrod Garth and Mitch Martin led the way up forward with two goals a-piece. Mitch Clarke made his debut from the under 17’s and did well.
In the reserves, Ararat won by 69 points. The juniors won both games with the 17’s winning by 69 points and the 14’s by 54 points.
The Horsham Demons narrowly missed out on their third win of the season with a 13 point loss to Stawell at Horsham City Oval.
The Demons trailed by five points at quarter time. In the second quarter they kicked four goals to one to lead by 13 points at the main break. In the third quarter, they had their chances but didn’t capitilise, but still led by six points at three quarter time. It was a tight last quarter but in the end Stawell got on top kicking four goals to one to run out 8.13.61 to 6.12.48 winners.
Demons coach Tyler Blake rued the missed opportunities.
“They just got on top of us and got the clearances in the middle. It was an arm wrestle all game but in the end they just capitalised better when they got in the forward 50. We had our chances, but we didn’t take them,” Blake said.
Despite that, Blake took a few positives from the match.
“We played quick footy. We wanted to move the ball quick and find space and we used the ground well and we lifted the intensity like we have all year,” Blake explained.
The Demons also had a couple of their teenagers play well, which is positive for the future. Sam Janetzki played his first senior game since round three following injury and was their best player across half back and on wing.
Logan Millar was the other standout in his second senior game and Blake spoke highly of him.
“Logan was one of the best last week against Warrack as well. He is a 17 year old that has been playing reserves most the year. We knew he had the talent and ability to play seniors. He has made the most of his opportunity,” Blake said.
“He is a medium sized forward and has the ability to provide strong leads and put his body in the right spots and get the footy. He is also very clean with the ball.”
Captain, Cullen Williams was also one of the best players on the ground which was pleasing to see according to Blake.
“As one of the older guys and leaders, he has been around for a long time. He is a good old fashioned solid defender that can run and jump and do the lot. He is very versatile. He is one of those players you can depend on and it was great seeing him as one of the best players,” Blake concluded.
It was good news for the Demons in the reserves, winning comfortably by 48 points. The under 17’s also had a solid 77 point win and the under 14’s shut their opponents out to win by 60 points.
In the other matches, Minyip Murtoa won a thriller by four points over Nhill at Davis Park. The Burra trailed all game but came back from a 22 point deficit at three quarter time to win 9.7.61 to 8.9.57. Thomas Driscoll kicked a game high 4 goals for Nhill whilst Will Cameron led the way for the Burra with three.
In another thriller, it was the Warrack Eagles producing the upset, beating the Southern Mallee Giants by two points at Anzac Park.
The Giants held an 11 point lead at three quarter time but a four goal to two final quarter saw the Eagles run out 8.14.62 to 8.12.60 winners.
Kyle Cheney was best on ground whilst Joseph McKinnon and Luke Mahony led the way for the Eagles and Giants respectively with three goals a-piece.