General News
1 August, 2023
Opening burst sets up Demons
HORSHAM has celebrated victory in Wimmera Football League after defeating Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park on Saturday. The round 15 victory was set up early in the opening term when the Demons dominated proceedings and put on seven goals through the...
HORSHAM has celebrated victory in Wimmera Football League after defeating Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park on Saturday.
The round 15 victory was set up early in the opening term when the Demons dominated proceedings and put on seven goals through the opening stanza and a lead of 40 points at quarter time.
The third last round of the season saw more interesting results when ladder leader Ararat maintained their undefeated status with a strong 63-point victory over an undermanned Southern Mallee Giants at Alexandra Oval.
An evenly fought first half saw the Giants in front at half time before the home team knuckled down to their work kicking 12 goals to one in the second half.
Dimboola suffered their third straight loss and finds themselves on equal points as Minyip-Murtoa after the Burras claimed a strong 29-point victory at Dimboola.
The game of the round took place at Davis Park in Nhill when the home went in search of their third straight loss but fell short by the narrowest of margins in a thriller against Stawell that went down the wire.
At Anzac Park, Horsham won the toss and kicked to the favoured end with a two-goal wind advantage and made the most of every chance as they controlled the early proceedings through the midfield.
An opening goal to teenager Max Bunworth set the tone for the quarter as the visitors would finish with seven majors for the quarter.
The goals flowed off the boots of the Demons who teamed well through the midfield and converted their chances in a highlight of the quarter.
Key forward Jordan Motton kicked the Demons second major of the term which would be the first of six for the match as Jayden Scott then joined the goalkicking list with his first for the day.
Eagles coach Daniel Bell won some key possessions and created some drive into the forward line, but the Demons defence was strong and settled in the contest well through coach Tyler Blake and Ben Lakin.
Their teamwork from defence was rewarded midway through the term when Harrison Combe landed a long bomb from inside the centre square which sailed through the air and found the mark after bouncing through from the top of the goalsquare.
The Demons then took full toll of their run and carry through the midfield as Motton went on a three goal run, the first from a strong mark, the second from a turnover and the third from the goalsquare seconds before the quarter time siren to give him four for the term.
Warrack Eagles were able to impact the scoreboard during the second term as they rewarded some strong teamwork from the centre of the ground.
An opening shot on goal in the first minute just missed the mark which the Demons were able to pounce on as midfielder Brody Pope finished off a three bounce goal to further extend his team’s lead to eight goals.
However, the Eagles were able to respond through the boot of Joe McKinnon who kicked the next three goals of the quarter to add some life to the Eagles chances.
McKinnon’s goals came in a rush as the Eagles enjoyed a five minute purple patch midway through the term as the big forward finished off play which also included another shot on goal which just missed the mark.
The remainder of the quarter saw both teams miss chances as the Demons took a 26-point lead into half time.
And the Demons capitalised on their first half advantage as they kicked the only goals of the third term as the Eagles again went goalless for the quarter.
An early miss to Sean McKenzie was followed by Motton kicking his firth goal for the match after a downfield free kick as Combe added a second and Bailey Nelson goaled on the run.
With the four points firmly secured with a lead of 44 points at three quarter time, the Demons maintained their scoring presence as Motton kicked his sixth for the match before Scott kicked successive goals to give him three for the match.
A last goal to Matt Johns in the goalsquare reduced the final margin to 56 points at the final siren as the Demons celebrated their second win of the season as Motton’s six majors gave him a total of 13 in two goals against the Eagles after kicking seven in round six.
Blake led his team well with a hard working game from defence to set up scoring chances with young trio Pope, Bunworth and Lachie Hobbs.
For the Eagles, Riley Morrow notched his 150th game and produced a strong display, teaming well Kyle Cheney and Sean McKenzie in defence and Dylan Watts, Declan Powell and Lachie Stewart through the midfield, while Johns was again strong throughout the day in the ruck.