Sport
4 August, 2024
Demons showcase depth in win over 'really good' Warriors | WFNL round 15
Sienna Manserra and Zarli Knight played important roles.
WFNL
Stawell
The Horsham Demons have entered its WFNL bye after a 60-38 victory over Stawell in round 15 on Saturday, August 3.
After the win, Demons' coach Ebonie Salter praised young players Sienna Manserra and Zarli Knight.
"Probably the difference for us is that we used some of our changes, some of our depth, and we were able to adapt to that quickly," Salter said.
"And it was really fantastic to see us be able to lift to another gear when we made those changes."
Horsham's pressure was on from the opening whistle, something Salter was impressed with.
"We've been working on that a lot, as well as our full-court press," she said.
"Knowing our roles in the team and what we can bring for that. So we want to create the opportunities for ourselves, and it takes all of us at times to do that. So we started quite strongly there."
Salter also credited the pressure that the home side brought.
"They're a really good team, and we never take them lightly," she said.
They are clean, use the ball well, and they really pushed us at times for the whole game."
Horsham flew out of the blocks with the first three goals at Central Park.
The Demons created an early five-goal lead as its pressure on in the defensive third was high.
Ayva Mitchell and Rachel Wood led the home side's fightback late in the first term, but the ladder leaders led by 10 goals at the first change.
The Demons created turnovers in the centre third early in the second quarter.
As a result, the Warriors were forced to be more patient when they possessed the ball in attack.
A change had to be made in the Demons' defensive ring as Sienna Manserra replaced Salter, but she returned soon after.
Horsham extended its lead to 12 goals at half time.
Manserra returned to the court at the start of the second half.
The Warriors also made changes, as Rachel Wood moved into centre and Madi Taylor was pushed to wing attack.
Stawell took the momentum into the last term but trailed by 13 goals.
Horsham has a strong start to the fourth quarter as Salter and Georgia Batson returned to the court.
The home side pushed throughout the term but could not reel in the ladder leaders who recorded the 22-goal win.
Imogen Worthy shot 36 goals for Horsham.
Ayva Mitchell added 22 for the Warriors.
Dimboola v Southern Mallee
Southern Mallee has caused an upset after a 60-49 win over Dimboola.
Both sides traded two-goal leads in the first half before the Thunder gained the advantage.
A 15-9 third term opened a six-goal lead at the last change, an advantage that was extended in the last.
Steph Thomson shot 39 goals for Southern Mallee.
Thomson joined captain Codie Robins in the best.
Nicole Polycarpou added 24 goals for the Roos.
Paige Glover and Stephanie Glover were featured in the best.
Nhill v Warrack
Nhill has continued its charge for a top-three spot after a 63-34 win against Warrack.
The Tigers created a 10-goal lead at quarter the and never looked back.
Ruby James and Emma Beer finished with 32 and 31 goals respectively.
Nicola Clyne shot 16 for the Eagles.
Minyip Murtoa v Ararat
The Burras have consolidated its spot in the top five after a 69-34 victory against Ararat.
An 18-7 first term laid the platform further for Minyip Murtoa as it extended its lead in every quarter.
Kirby Knight shot 36 goals for the Burras as Lauren Dodgshun and Taylor Forster were named in the best.
Jesse Bligh added 15 goals for the Rats.
Julia Harricks and Demi Bligh featured in the best.