Sport
3 August, 2024
Second quarter surge seals the deal as Stawell defeat Demons | WFNL R15
The Warriors kicked six goals to one in the second quarter.
WFNL
Stawell
The Stawell Warriors have celebrated Jackson Dark's 200th senior match with a 15.10 (100) - 10.5 (65) win against Horsham in round 15 of the WFNL on Saturday, August 3.
In the first term, the Demons moved the football easily through the centre corridor, something Stawell senior coach Tom Eckel quickly rectified.
The Warriors then kicked six goals to one in the second quarter.
"[we needed to] Defend between the arcs a bit better and press up on them, which we did," Eckel said post-match.
"And we ended up getting a few goals deep in their defensive 50 from turnovers."
It was his side's pressure that also stood out.
"It was a pretty good effort, but I think there's still a lot of improvement left," he said.
"Apart from the first quarter, where we were behind on the scoreboard, it was pretty consistent the whole way through."
Eckel also credited the work of Jack Walker, who pushed up onto a wing and kicked three goals.
It took less than a minute for Horsham to hit the scoreboard at Central Park.
Zak Smith was rewarded after a tackle inside the forward 50 and converted the set shot.
Hugo Papst then kicked two goals in quick succession as the Demons owned the middle of the ground.
After Cody Driscoll added the Warriors first after 19 minutes, Horsham capitalised after a turnover.
The Demons led by 15 points at the first change.
Stawell kicked the important first goal in the second term as Aiden Graveson converted a long set shot after four minutes.
The home side had a dominant second term, with another six goals turning a 15-point deficit into a 14-point lead at the long break.
The Demons responded in the first minute of the third term as Jordan Motton converted a set shot before Jack Walker kicked a great individual goal for Stawell.
After majors to Tommy Williams and James Sullivan, Horsham got out the back, and Rory Motton kicked his first senior goal as Stawell's lead was 22 points.
Both sides traded goals late goals as Stawell led by 20 points at the last change.
The Warriors steadied the ship early in the last term as Jakob Salmi converted a set shot.
Cullen Williams added the Demons' first after seven minutes.
Despite Horsham's dominance early in the term, the Warriors kicked three goals to one for the remainder of the quarter as the home side won by 35 points.
Minyip Murtoa v Ararat
A 10-goal third term saw the Rats win 19.16 (130) - 10.3 (63) against the Burras at Minyip Recreation Reserve.
The margin was 21 points at the long break before Ararat kicked away.
Tom Williamson booted five goals for the Rats, as Jack Ganley and Tom Mills added four.
Ben Taylor and James Jennings featured in the best.
Samuel Griffiths kicked three goals for the Burras.
Griffiths was joined atop the best by Luke Fisher.
Nhill v Warrack
Nhill has rebounded after its round 14 loss with a 17.18 (120) - 8.7 (55) home win against Warrack.
A six-goal third term was the catalyst for the 65-point win.
Senior coach Jake McQueen and Dylan Ridding featured in the best for the Tigers.
Machok Garang and Jayke Hellmans impressed for Warrack.
Dimboola v Southern Mallee
The Thunder showcased its efficiency inside the forward 50 with a 23.10 (148) - 6.10 (46) win against Dimboola.
Nicholas Yarran booted six goals and finished atop the best with Xavier Oakley.
Jack Landt and Andrew Moore kicked two goals for the Roos.
Pat McDonough and Michael Pohlner featured in the best.