Football
13 June, 2026
Demons, Thunder to battle it out after midseason break
Southern Mallee is back at home this week, coming up against Horsham after both sides enjoyed a midseason break last Saturday, although it was an extra-long break for the Demons, who had the bye in the prior round.
The Thunder have had a brilliant first half of the season and are currently second, while their opponents this week, the Demons, are in seventh.
Both sides have some brilliant talent - including the likes of Billy Carberry and Lachlan Hobbs for the Horsham side, and Billy Lloyd and Matty Lloyd for the Thunder.
A difference between the sides, though, is that the home side this week has plenty of power in the forward line capable of making a big impact on their tally, with Bailey Edwards (13 goals) and Matty Lloyd (14) both in the Top 10 goal scorers for the league after eight rounds.
The Demon's highest goal kicker is Gibson Perry (six), followed by Jasper Gunn (five).
A win for the Thunder this Saturday could see them back as the ladder leaders, depending on other game results, while a Horsham victory would even out their record a bit to 3-4 for the season.
But the Thunder are heading into the clash this week after being defeated by the Eagles last round, and coaching director Jake Bridges said it is a timely reminder that no side in the competition can be taken lightly this season.
"For us, the focus is on playing our brand of football for four quarters, staying connected and relentless around the contest, and respecting the opposition," admitted Bridges.
"Horsham will bring effort and intensity, and they’ve got some quality players in Lachlan and Ben Hobbs, along with Archie Elliott, who can influence the game.
"We’ve done our homework and will look to limit their impact through team defence."