Football
13 August, 2025
Dimboola claim win over higher placed Stawell
Andrew Moore, co-coach of Dimboola, warned last week his side would need to continue putting their best foot forward should they want to play finals footy this season, and that's exactly what his side did on Saturday.
Not only did Dimboola put their best foot forward, but they may as well have done so in a pair of expensive designer shoes, such was the impressive statement they made against the higher placed Stawell by 42 points.
It was a dominant performance from the onset by Dimboola, leading the Warriors after the first quarter by 22 points.
The side, led by Moore and co-coach Dean Toet, led by 28 at halftime and 53 heading into the final quarter.
Final scores were Dimboola 16.11 (107) to 10.5 (65).
Jackson Calder led the goal scoring with six for Dimboola, while Ben Miller and Simon Hobbs were the better players for their side.
Cody Driscoll was the leading goal kicker for the Warriors with three, while Koby Stewart and Riley Ika were named among the best on-field.
Toet said last time his side played the Warriors was still on their mind as they headed into the match on Saturday, and they were determined not to get the lead, only to let it slip as they did back in Round Seven on May 31, when Dimboola gave up a 31-point lead at half time to lose by four points.
"We let last time slip, and that was probably the start of a mid-season (slump)," said Toet.
"We struggled through a patch after that game, struggled with being able to stick with sides, so we've spent a lot of time on making sure we are switched on and we get off to good starts and keep the pressure on once we get our noses in front."
Toet said it was a must that his side pulled together a good performance last week.
"We said going into that game, it's one of those matches that was a must-win because our season is hanging on it.
"If we didn't win it, we were relying on other sides to lose or win, which is not an ideal way to get in, so we had to get the job done, and we will go from there."
Given Dimboola makes finals, Toet said the side can carry confidence in their win against the side, who are currently third.
"We know when we play our best footy, we play really, really well and that has been the biggest thing," Toet said.
"We go back to mid-year where we had Minyip and then lost to Giants, and it was sort of like: 'What are we doing?'.
"Then we have had a few injuries, Dyl Landt away for seven weeks, and we are just starting to piece a few of our better players back together, back into our side now, and other players are really starting to stand up."
Toet said they have also welcomed Jack Williams into the side, after he was away a few weeks with a hamstring injury.
"Lachie Mackley is getting better and better every week, I think he kicked three goals on Saturday," Toet said.
"And Simon Hobbs is back in after four weeks, so we are just starting to put things together now, which is good."