General News
19 September, 2024
Balanced Demons for Flag: how we previewed the 1974 WFL grand final
Horsham won the 1974 Wimmera Football League grand final.
Horsham has the teamwork, determination and aerial strength to win the Wimmera Football League premiership against Ararat at City Oval tomorrow.
The game should be the most spectacular seen by supporters all year because both teams are in top gear.
Horsham stepped straight into the grand final after an impressive six-goal win over Ararat two weeks ago.
And the Rats are back to their confident best after crushing Warracknabeal by 66 points in the preliminary final two weeks ago.
The Demons will win because they are more evenly balanced in attack and have the players to counter Ararat's talented centreline.
Wes Richardson, Tom Jenkin and Peter Burke together form the league's most damaging half forward line.
They are all prolific been kickwinners who can be relied upon to keep the goals flowing and they produce their best under pressure.
Richardson, 36, is still outpacing it out with teenagers and his uncanny marking ability gives him clear advantage in the packs.
His six-goal effort in the last quarter against Murtoa in the qualifying final was nothing short of incredible.
Jenkin and Burke, although not as good in the air, have the pace to give Horsham control on the flank.
Avenue
And every time they drive into the goal square they'll have a man to look for in full forward Bruce 'Whiskey' Carr.
Carr, an exceptionally strong high mark, has provided the Demons with a sure avenue to goal since moving to the spearhead late this season.
Carr's kicking for goal often lets him down, but he gets the ball so many times be can afford spray half his shots.
The Ararat defence, cut to ribbons last time the teams met, has little chance redeeming itself.
The only place to have any effect on the backline was the brilliant Leo Mooney, and he's been switched into the centre tomorrow.
However, his replacement, coach Wilf Dickeson, has the credentials where Mooney left off.
The Demons should also take the honors across the centre, where they have been in complete command in recent games.
Selectors made one shock move when they swing captain Denis Farr into the centre, a position he has not played since being injured on July 20.
Rugged defender Noel Brown had filed in for Farr, and many believed it was the best thing to happen to Horsham since Dud Cornell hung up his boots in the '50s.
But Fary should justify their confidence by reducing Mooney's potential, which will leave Brown to mind Ararat goal sneak Terry Mooney.
Wingers Peter Bell and Maurie Hickmott, equally dangerous in the open spaces, will give their captain all the support needed to keep the ball moving forward.
Gamble
Ararat's big gamble is that Leo Mooney must prove an instant success.
Unless he adapts to his new role from the opening bounce the team will be starved for opportunities in attack.
Wingers Graham Homburg and Gary Todd will be under the hammer from start to finish.
Both Homburg and Todd can create havoc with their short passing and handball, but they can't seem to get going if the pressure is applied constantly.
And the Horsham pair centre can maintain a furious pace for the full hundred minutes.
The Rats scoring rate depends almost solely on the form of half forward flanker Terry Mooney and full forward Ian Boyd.
When they start kicking goal the whole teams looks good, which is happen happened in the last half against Warracknabeal last week.
The coaches say...
Wilf Dickeson, Ararat: I know we can get up and take the flag. We won't be going into this game over-confident which is probably our biggest failing in the second semi-final in Rupanyup. The boys know know Horsham's true ability and have geared themselves up accordingly. They will not make the same mistakes made last time we met. I think our strength across the centre and on the half forward line will be the decisive factors.
Glen Hope, Horsham: There's no worry about us winning. For the first time this season, we've had a complete list to pick from, and the side playing tomorrow is our best for the year. It's a perfectly balanced team with good distribution of weight, strength and pace. I don't expect the result to be one-sided as it was in the second semi, but Horsham will definitely be in front at the final sire.
Bell will get three awards
Rupanyup's Greg Bell will receive three awards at the Wimmera Football League grand final at City Oval tomorrow.
League president, Mr Jim Merrett, will present Ball the Toohey Medal, awarded to the best and fairest senior player.
Mr Pat Toohey of Auburn, will give Bell $75 which goes with the medal.
Mr Arthur Gooan, of Glen Iris, wil give Bell the award for being the player under 21 years who polled the most votes in the Toohey Medal counting.
Mr Merrett has invited all past Toohey Medal winners to take part in presentations on the oval before the senior match between Horsham and Ararat.