Football
24 May, 2025
Demons on the hunt for first win
The Demons will be looking to claim their first win for the season today, when they line up against Stawell in round six of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Horsham side is currently last on the ladder, with four losses and no wins, but will be hoping to break the drought against Stawell, who are placed seventh.
Coach of the Demons Jordy Burke described the season so far for his side as "a funny one".
"We've played some good footy, but we have also been inconsistent as well," he said.
"It would have been nice to pick up one or two of those wins along the way, but it's about keeping it in perspective, and the group staying positive.
"We've had four matches and a bye, so we've played four games of footy and hopefully now we are starting to get a bit closer."
It will take a four-quarter effort from his side to get over Stawell, Burke said.
"If we do that, we can definitely win games of footy and we go into each game confident If we put the four quarters together, then we can get that," he said.
"There's obviously a little bit to go under the bridge before that, but we're confident every week."
Burke said the Demons need to keep getting better around the footy, especially if they are to do well this Saturday.
"We keep working on it and getting a few different looks on what our midfield is, but it's making sure we win the battle with clearances, that's going to be the big one for us," he said.
Meanwhile, coach of Stawell James Sullivan said his side has played some good footy in some games this season, but they seem to be falling away from how they want to play in some quarters.
"For us, we are looking for a bit more consistency, through the game," he said.
"Especially like last week, we played good footy for probably half, but we are looking to improve that and get a good four-quarter performance."
And despite the Demons not having recorded a win this season so far, Sullivan said that doesn't mean he is taking the opposition lightly.
"It's a strength of the Wimmera League, that on their day, anyone can beat anyone, so we know what Horsham are going to bring, and I think they are a pretty young side, they'll take the game on," he said.
"And as with any young team, they will be looking to run out the game.
"We have a lot to work on, and we will be focusing on us but not taking them lightly."
The coach said it is their contested footy and pressure that gets their game going.
"So if we get those things back on track, the rest of the game flows, so that goes into our ball movement, which has been good in patches, but definitely another area we can improve on as well," he said.
"There will be a big focus on us and the midfield battle, getting the job done there and winning the ball at the source."