Football
28 April, 2026
Saints prevail on Anzac Day
The Horsham Saints have moved to the top of the WFNL ladder after a decisive 77-point victory over rivals Horsham.
In front of a large Anzac Day crowd, the visitors controlled the match throughout, winning 16.13 (109) to 5.2 (32).
The Saints had 11 goal scorers, with captain Mitch Martin leading with three goals.
Jaxon Crooks, Nathan Koenig, and Zac Peake each contributed two.
After the game, coach Angus Martin expressed satisfaction with securing the four premiership points.
“I was on to the boys at half time about the fact we need to build a winning culture and winning habits,” Martin said.
“I felt like we weren't really doing that in the first two or three quarters, but in the last quarter, we were focused.”
While the Demons kicked the game’s opening goal, it was the Saints’ three majors that gave them a 14-point lead by the first break.
Martin encouraged the team to broaden their play and utilise the entire ground.
“We probably wasted a few opportunities going forward,” he said after the game.
“We were very tunnel-visioned and going down the line a lot.
“They weren't looking inside when there was an option… we were just taking the easy option, so it was pretty easy to address.”
An early Demons goal was answered by five from the Saints.
Two late goals by the home side reduced the margin from 42 to 32 points at half-time.
Both teams adjusted in the second half, but the Saints extended their lead to 42 points by the final break.
With the game in hand, the Saints aimed to assert their dominance and send a message to the competition.
“I was really, really impressed with how we overran them in the last quarter,” Martin said.
“They probably started to slow down, and we look like we're going to go to another gear, even with one on the bench at the end.
“They look really fit tonight.
"They were coming off when they didn't really need to in the end.”
The Saints’ fitness contributed to their strong final quarter: a responsibility Martin assigned to captains Mitch Martin and Gage Wright during preseason.
“To be honest, I think we did one running drill for the entire preseason,” he said.
“Fitness-wise, we put it all on the lads to do it.
"I've just laid it on Mitch and Gage as leaders to get themselves fit.
“They've dragged all of them along with them so credit where credit's due today.”
Both captains were named among the Saints' best players, along with Reid Kuller, Cody Bryan, Jack Henry and Will Brennan.
The coach praised Brennan, who rejoined the team in 2026 after two seasons with Hampden league powerhouse North Warrnambool.
“He looks really slick,” Martin said
“I played a fair bit of footy with Will in the past and he's come back a lot better footballer than when he left.
“He's so much more dynamic now.
"His contest work is a lot better.
"He just seems to know how to get to know how to get to the contest and get the ball out.”
Harry Millar kicked two goals for the Demons, while Billy Carberry, Hudson Hair, Jackson Hoffmann, Tyler Blake, Jordy Schmidt and Oakley Farr were named in the best.