Football
5 August, 2025
Demons challenge the Warriors
The Demons, despite being last on the ladder, challenged the Warriors on Saturday, as they have many other good teams this season, and were completely in the contest, particularly until half-time.
Final scores were the Horsham side 12.7 (79) to Stawell 16.17 (113) but at half-time the margin was only five points in favor of the Warriors.
Paul Summers bounced back from a quiet week last fortnight, with seven goals, as he was named best on field for the away side, along with Sam Williams.
For the Demons, Matthew Long booted four goals and Tyler Blake was best on ground.
Coach of Stawell, James Sullivan, said they were impressed with how the Demons moved the ball quickly, giving the Warriors some trouble early on.
"We weren't overly happy with how we were defending transition but, credit to them, they came out with a good mindset and really took it to us and we had our work cut out for us coming into the half-time break," Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he asked his side to apply a bit more pressure around the ball in the final half.
"They were able to walk the ball out of stoppages so easily, which was putting our defenders under pressure," he said.
"We just had to get to work and get back to winning the contested footy, winning that battle in the middle, which has been a strength of ours during the year.
"But credit to the boys in that third quarter, they definitely stepped up and got it back on our terms a bit."
Sullivan acknowledged there had been times during the season that his team had been in a position they hadn't liked at half-time, but as on Saturday, they had been able to step up and move into a different gear.
"We need to focus on being a bit more consistent through the four quarters but the pleasing thing is the boys have that belief and are confident that they aren't out of any game," he said.
Sullivan said co-captain Sam Williams led from the front on Saturday through the midfield, gathering plenty of disposals and getting on the end of a few crucial goals in the last quarter.
"Aiden Graveson in the ruck was strong all day (and) Paul Summers up forward was a target for us and got on the end of a few as well," Sullivan said.