Football
17 April, 2026
Eagles to battle Warriors
Horsham Saints clashed with Warrack in the opening round of the Wimmera Football Netball League season, with the home side defeating the Eagles by more than 40 points.
It took a quarter for the visitors at Coughlin Park to find the big sticks, as they trailed by 21 points after the first quarter, and that exact margin at the big break as well.
They found the goals a few more times after half time, and went into the final quarter down by 25 points, before the Horsham side better utilised the final quarter, to finish 11.16 82 to 6.3 39.
Coach of the Eagles, Kyle George, said the opposition around the clearances was impressive, getting first use of the ball a lot of the match.
But he said it was only the opening round of the season, and that the Eagles' side could learn a lot from the hit-out.
"We didn't play how we wanted to," he admitted frankly.
"We will need more work in areas, so once that improves, things should look up.
"Our pressure was down; that needs a lift."
George reflected that the Saints were great with their pressure and stopped many of the Eagles' runs.
"But we are a new team, so we are working on playing as the team we need to," he said.
Better players for the Eagles were Nick Ingram and Seth Keam, while John Jorgensen booted three goals for Warrack, and Connor McFayden two.
In recognising the efforts of Keam and Jorgensen, George also acknowledged the efforts of Charlie Penny and Samuel Callins in the middle of the park.
Game two for the Eagles doesn't get any easier this week, with the club at home against Stawell.
The Warriors are coming off a break after they opened the league's season with a Good Friday hit out against Ararat, the defending premiers.
And it was an impressive performance by Stawell, which defeated its opposition by five points.
George said he watched the game and agreed the James Sullivan and Perry Meka-led side were impressive.
"I wouldn't think too much would be different this week for Stawell," admitted George.
"They will be fresh after a week off."
George said that, to have the best chance of getting the four points, his side would need to contain a couple of players.
"(Thomas) Eckel and (Paul) Summers," he said.
"But they have depth, so we need to be able to stop the second-tier players they have."
As for any particular match-ups fans should keep an eye on, George said the contest will be exciting in the ruck.
"Stawell are strong in this position," he admitted.
But at the end of the day, the Eagles have to focus on their own match, and George said that includes ensuring contributions are even all over the ground.
"We need to do the basics well, and make sure our effort and pressure are there," he said.