Sport
2 May, 2023
Saints claim Anzac Day honours
The Horsham Saints remain unbeaten in Wimmera Football League after securing a 31-point victory over the Horsham Demons at Horsham City Oval in their annual Anzac Day match on Sunday. The Saints started the game fast with Jarrod Garth kicking the...
The Horsham Saints remain unbeaten in Wimmera Football League after securing a 31-point victory over the Horsham Demons at Horsham City Oval in their annual Anzac Day match on Sunday.
The Saints started the game fast with Jarrod Garth kicking the opening two goals which was countered by Cullen Williams also scoring the first two for the Demons. Despite a touch tussle early, the Saints finished the quarter with goals to Max Bryan and Garth, the latter slotting his third to lead the Saints to a 14 point lead at quarter time.
Mitch Martin kicked the Saints first goal of the second quarter to take the lead to 22 points. Not long after, 16-year old debutant Max Bunworth kicked his first for the Demons to reduce the margin to three goals. The Saints though, through Judd Wright and Max Bryan extended the lead again before Tyler Blake slotted one on the verge of half time for the Demons to get the margin back to 26 points at the main break.
Cullen Williams kicked his third goal of the game within the first 30 seconds of the third quarter to get the Demons within 20 points, but it was all one way thereafter with the Saints kicking the last three goals of the quarter through William Taylor, Will Kennedy and Gage Wright to take a comfortable 38 point lead into the last break.
The Demons won the last quarter with goals through Jordon Motton and Harley Pope whilst Gage Wright kicked the only solitary goal for the Saints guiding them to an 11.13.79 to 7.6.48 win.
Angus Martin won the Bert Perry medal for best on ground, and coach Ben Knott praised him after the game.
“The medal was thoroughly deserved. I thought he was best on ground for a mile,” Knott said.
“Nothing went past him at centre half back. He patrolled the backline and gave good direction,” he added.
Knott also highlighted two other players whom were instrumental in the win.
“Patrick Knott and Max Bryan were also brilliant. When the game was on the line, their first quarters set the game up for us; Patty with his physicality and youth coming out of the backline and Max getting the ball and being very clean with it. He might have 20 touches, but 17 or 18 of them will hit the target. It’s pleasing to see when he has ball in hand,” Knott added.
The Saints had seven different goal kickers in their 11 goals, which when asked how important that was, Knott concluded.
“It was a nice spread that’s for sure. Teams will put time and effort into Garth and what that does is free up other blokes.”
“Showing that we can hit the scoreboard in multiple ways puts pressure on the opposition. Garth will keep doing what he does, so it’s pleasing to see we have other avenues to goal.”
Demons coach Tyler Blake explained what happened.
“I thought we started off good, but then we shot ourselves in the foot with skill errors and fell away from a few structures. At times our passages were really good and showed that we can play great footy at times,” he said.
“The Saints played really well and made use of their opportunities and we ended up playing catch up in the end.”
Ben Janetzki, Brodie Pope and Ben Lakin were among the best players for the Demons and Knott was pleased with their performances, but he also pointed out two other players – Hudson Hair and Max Bunworth.
“Hudson played full back and played on Garth and I thought he did really well on him. Whilst he didn’t shut him down, he mitigated him the best he could and at his young age, it showed that he has a lot of promise,” he said.
“Max Bunworth was a debutant that played forward and wing for us and he kicked a goal in the second quarter. As a 16 year old he played his role and didn’t look out of place,” he concluded.
The Saints reserves also won by 10 points - 11.4.70 to 9.6.60. It was a great day for the Demons juniors with the Under 17’s winning by 56 points - 12.14.86 to 4.6.30 and the Under 14’s by 44 - 9.6.60 to 2.4.16.
In the other three matches, four goals a-piece to Jacob Bates and Tom Williamson led Ararat to their second win of the season by 119 points over Nhill at Davis Park. Brody Griffin, Tom Mills and Cody Lindsay were the best players for the Rats in the 21.14.140 to 3.3.21 win. For Nhill, Frazer Driscoll, Darcy Honeyman and Nathan Alexander all played well.
Dimboola also remain unbeaten with a comprehensive 60 point win over the Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park. Led by Michael Graham with seven goals and Sam Godden with five, the Roos won 19.14.128 to 10.8.68. Ben Miller and Matthew Rosier were also among the best.
For the Eagles, Jake O’Donnell, 15-year old debutante Max Inkster and Matt Johns all kicked two goals and were among the best with Dane Stewart, who was also prominent throughout the day in a one-off appearance on permit.
At Central Park, despite five goals from Mitch Thorp, Stawell couldn’t overcome Minyip Murtoa losing by 27 points.
Will Cameron and Nicholas Caris kicked two goals for the Burra in the 9.12.66 to 6.3.29 victory. Tanner Smith was best on ground with Lachlan Jones and Corey Morgan also the better players on the day.