Football
20 May, 2026
Roos down Saints
Harrow Balmoral’s senior football side have recorded their fourth win of the season, comfortably defeating Edenhope Apsley in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Playing at Edenhope, the Southern Roos kicked 16.14 (110) to the Saints’ 3.9 (27).
The home side did well to get possession and forward 50 opportunities early in the game, eventually getting a reward with an Adam Hood goal.
Michael Close then kicked the first two majors for the visitors before late goals to each side gave the Southen Roos a 21-15 lead by the first break.
Aided by a backwind, Harrow Balmoral dominated territory and possession in the second quarter, kicking three goals.
But with the conditions hampering goal-kicking, the Southern Roos did not capitalise effectively on their opportunities, entering half-time up 46-17.
With the game still within reach, the Saints came out with intent early in the third quarter, consistently winning ball in the middle of the park and getting numerous inside 50 looks.
However, disciplined Harrow Balmoral defence kept the home side goalless, and goals late in the quarter to Michael Close and Jai Thompson gave the visitors a 60-19 lead and the momentum at three-quarter-time.
The reigning premiers then took complete control of the match, kicking eight final-quarter goals, ultimately winning by 83 points.
Michael Close, Jai Thompson and Mitchell Grant finished with three goals each for Harrow Balmoral, while Will Burbury, George Austin, Archer Cameron and Anthony Close also had strong performances for the victors.
Adam Hood, Pierce Ferguson and Marcus McIntyre were the Edenhope Apsley goal kickers, and Jasper Graham, William Middleton, Billy Cameron and Jeremy Kealy made impressive contributions for the Saints.
Harrow Balmoral coach Jai Thompson credited his side’s adjustments following an impressive first quarter from the Saints.
“Edenhope Apsley had a really good win last week, so they were always going to come out hot,” Thompson said.
“I thought our guys were a bit slow in transitioning from attack to defence in that first quarter.
“We made a bit of a change at quarter-time.
"(We) really wanted to focus on having our defence in the forefront and just switching from attack to defence a bit quicker, and the boys really adjusted to that after quarter-time."
The Harrow Balmoral coach added that his side’s backline had been impressive in recent games, highlighting their ability to stifle Edenhope’s numerous forward 50 opportunities in the third quarter.
“They (Edenhope Apsley) had that run in the third quarter and I thought their pressure was still really good, our backline held up really well,” Thompson said.
“They’ve been really solid the last two, three weeks now and we’re getting a bit of continuity back there.
“They don’t necessarily get a lot of credit week to week but they’re obviously one of the most important parts of our team.
“Those guys lock down on opposition offences and not many teams kick many goals against us."