Sport
28 May, 2026
Energetic Nhill defeat Dimboola
Nhill now holds fifth place on the ladder following a decisive win over Dimboola on Saturday.
Nhill co-coach Jake McQueen noted his team brought energy from the outset, resulting in a 148-point margin, Dimboola 1.1 (7) to Nhill 23.17 (155).
The Davis Park home side wasted no time in the first quarter, piling on 5.3 to Dimboola's 0.1 early on.
Dimboola weren't able to find the sticks at all in quarter two, while Nhill added another 7.5 to their tally.
Entering the final term, Dimboola trailed by 118 points and had yet to score a goal.
Roo Simon Hobbs scored Dimboola’s first goal in the final quarter, while the Tigers added another 5.6 to their total.
Nhill's goal scorers included Jake McQueen (seven) and Petros Politis (five).
Top performers for Dimboola included coach Andrew Moore, Connor O’Dwyer, and Riley McLaughlin. For Nhill, Lachlan Gill, Petros Politis, and Tom Wheaton stood out.
McQueen said the match was pleasing, with the team bringing the energy from the start.
"More importantly, we sustained it for four quarters, which is something we’ve been focusing on," the co-coach said.
Dimboola coach Andrew Moore admitted Nhill is a solid team that has been around the mark for a number of years now.
"Even though we lost heavily in the end, we were tinkering with areas of our game, having changes from the week before, which gives players a lot of opportunity in different positions and roles," Moore said.
"This is great for their development.
"Areas we were focusing on as the game developed, from an outcome perspective, were great because now we can look at those and implement some of those areas we were focusing on for this week, and then depending on how that goes, later on in the year."
Moore acknowledged the result was disappointing but emphasised the importance of staying positive and focusing on team development.
Moore praised Declan Paech’s performance, highlighting his strong second half.
"He's a youngster coming into his second year of senior footy but has a lot of ability and talent there," admitted Moore.
"He was able to take hold of that second half and impact the contest, which was pleasing.
"Riley McLaughlin is one of the new guys who has come into the team, and I thought he really stood up.
"He has been playing a bit off the half back line, but with the omissions of Ben Miller and Mitch O'Donnell, he was able to have an opportunity in the midfield and held his own in the contest."
Moore also highlighted Angus Barry, who joined from the reserves and has been playing in the ruck.
"He is a player really developing as a footy player, and there is a lot of learning to go, but he is playing a pivotal role for us," Moore said.
This Saturday, Dimboola will play Minyip Murtoa, who are one position ahead on the ladder.
"We know they play a contested brand of footy, but they do like to get the footy on the outside, and they use their speed a lot," Moore revealed.
"That is something we are going to have to reduce in terms of how much they get that.
"We have a few guys coming in, which will help us in terms of how we play."