Football
1 July, 2024
Demons come from behind to win thriller
Laharum has returned from a 16-point deficit at three-quarter-time to defeat Rupanyup at Cameron Oval in round eleven of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
It was a tight first quarter, with the Demons taking a two-point lead into quarter-time. The Panthers kicked three goals to two in the second quarter to lead by nine points at the main break.
Both teams were inaccurate in the third quarter, kicking nine behinds between them, but the Panthers extended their margin to 16 points at the final break.
The Demons never gave up and held the Panthers goalless in the last. When Demons' Phillip Butsch nailed a goal on the boundary, forty meters out, they were up by a point, and the siren blew not long after to give them a 6.12.48 to 6.11.47 win.
Robbie Miller kicked two goals for Laharum and was best on the ground, with Daniel Easson again prominent throughout the midfield. Shannon Argall was great up forward in the last quarter, and Sean Wouters was also outstanding.
Brayden Ison kicked five goals for the Panthers, and Bill Hansen was excellent in the midfield. Connor Weidemann played well after getting clearance from the Rebels.
Demons coach Shannon Argall said it was exciting that Butsch kicked the winning goal.
"He probably hasn't been as accurate to his own standards and had a tight one, but it was exciting to see and nice for him to nail it," Argall said.
Trailing at three-quarter time, Argall said they changed things up and reminded his players that this could be a season-defining quarter.
"They were much more efficient going forward and had a lot of the play, and we were inefficient and were turning it over at half forward," Argall said.
"We were pushing and pushing, but they would go back down the field and kick a goal on us, which was frustrating."
"We made a couple of little changes. We moved Ryan Thomas to the ruck and me to center half forward to have a bit of a focal point up there as even if I couldn't mark it, I could bring it to the ground."
"I just told the boys that sometimes at the end of the season, you can look back and say that was a season-defining moment, and a few of our senior players knew that, and that resonated with the guys as they came out, and the pressure they showed was immense and had that desire."
"It was an excellent win to finally defeat a side higher than us on the ladder and play well against them."
Cougars bring back Bennell and secure another win
Kaniva Leeor brought back Harley Bennell, and it had an immediate impact. They secured their second win of the season.
The game was tight early. Only three goals were kicked in the first half, and the Cougars took a five-point lead into halftime.
The Saints kicked six goals to three in the third quarter to take a 14-point lead into three-quarter time.
The Cougars held the Saints scoreless in the last quarter and kicked four goals to win 9.4.58 to 7.3.45.
Jock Maddern and Dylan Natt both kicked three goals apiece for the Cougars, with Hamish Bennett continuing his brilliant season with a best-on-the-ground performance. Billy King and Sam Vivian were also great for the Cougars.
For the Saints, Charlie Campbell kicked two goals, and Bernard Kealy, Dale Smith, and Heath Keatley were among their better players.
Cougars coach Jonno Hicks said it was a team performance.
"That was definitely our best team game of the year as we had contributors all across the ground, and it was a real contested effort from both teams," Hicks said.
"We were able to compete in patches and had some lapses in that third quarter, but fighting back the way we did was pleasing.
"We had an even spread of contributors, but Hamish Bennett keeps dominating the ruck, which is great to see."
Harley Bennell likes the club and is potentially looking at playing another game or two before the end of the season, and Hicks said the leadership and experience he brings is outstanding for the young players.
"He actually approached us to play again as he enjoyed himself the first time he played, especially as it was our first win of the season," Hicks said.
"The Saints put a lot of time into him, but he was still influential. He is a class player. He set up at least three or four goals and had a bit of influence on the result."
"He is a quality person to have around the club. The guys talk to him and hang off his every word. He speaks well to the group, does a good job, and is willing to share and help others."
Jai Thompson kicks ten as Harrow Balmoral dishes out footy lesson
Harrow Balmoral had another massive win, thrashing Taylors Lake by 178 points at Balmoral Reserve.
The Lakers fought hard in the first quarter and only trailed by 22 points at quarter-time. The Southern Roos were relentless in the second quarter, piling on seven goals and eleven behinds to lead by 75 points at half-time. The Lakers could only manage two points in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Lakers kicked two goals, but the Southern Roos added another seven to lead by 108 points at the main break.
The Southern Roos finished the game off strong, kicking another 11 goals in the final term to win 28.26.194 to 2.4.16.
Rhys Daffey, Cody Deutscher, and Nick Pekin all chipped in with four goals for the Southern Roos, with Will Burbury, Anthony Close, and William Plush also outstanding.
For the Lakers, Bray Cullinan was again one of their better players, with Thomas Clugston, Billy Finnigan, and Patrick Lindsey also among their best.
Southern Roos coach Jai Thompson said it was just one of those games.
"I ran hard forward from the midfield, and the ball got to my area a lot, and I managed to get on the end of a couple, which was great," Thompson said.
"It is good to see us finally gelling as a team. After the game, I told the boys that it takes a while for new players to come in and gel, but we are now getting used to each other and playing a good brand of football.
"It's easy to lose motivation in these games when you are up by a lot, but after half-time, we kept playing our brand of footy the way we want to play, and that is why the margin was huge. We never stopped."
Kalkee move to seventh with their third win of the season
At the Natimuk Showgrounds, an injury-depleted Kalkee defeated Natimuk by 63 points.
Only one goal was scored in the first quarter, with both teams bringing the heat to the contest.
The Kees gained momentum in the second quarter, booting four goals to lead by 23 points at halftime.
They kicked another three in the third term to extend the margin by 37 points before holding Natimuk goalless in the last to run out 12.14.86 to 3.5.23 winners.
Aiden Richardson kicked five goals for the Kees, with youngster Patrick Mills sensational, named best on the field. The experienced Matt Nield was also solid through the middle.
For the Rams, Zachary Smith, Kaiden Sudholz, and Archie Sudholz were their better players.