Football
8 July, 2025
Southern Roos halt Demon run
Harrow Balmoral have put the competition on notice by registering a decisive win over Laharum on Saturday in round 12 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The final score saw Harrow score 12.12 (84) to Laharum’s 6.8 (44).
Bolstered by the return of both Michael and Simon Close, the Southern Roos displayed their intent early, utilising slick handballing and support play to create opportunities up forward.
Simon Close highlighted his return by kicking the first two for Harrow Balmoral as the visitors led Laharum 27-0 at the first break.
Strong northeasterly winds favoured one side of the ground, which Laharum used to their advantage in the second term, closing the gap to make it 34-21 to Harrow at half-time.
But Harrow Balmoral scored two quick goals in the third quarter and took control of the game, posting a 43-point third quarter to Laharum’s one point.
While Laharum competed well in the final term to kick three goals, the Southern Roos were never in danger in the final quarter.
Mitchell Grant and Anthony Close starred for Harrow Balmoral, while Todd Heynen and Daniel Easson were the best players for the losing side.
Simon Close and Mitchell Grant led the goalscorers with three each.
Jai Thompson, coach of Harrow Balmoral, said the team’s recent focus on ball movement proved helpful in the tricky conditions.
“We were able to chip and handball, get some running carry going,” Thompson said.
“Going into the breeze, trying to kick it long was just going to be impossible, so to kick a few goals actually into the breeze, was great.
“It’s been a massive focus point for us, our ball movement, over the last few weeks, and especially since we've probably lost a lot of our taller players, we’ve really been able to move the footy by hand rather than rely on that down-the-line kick,” Thompson said.
“We've got really good players on the outside who can run and carry so just to be able to try to get it to them, use a short kick or get a handball, and then get it out wide to our quick runners.”
Asked about the defensive effort from the team, Thompson praised the team’s use of pressure, as well as acknowledging the benefit of having Michael Close back in the team.
“Obviously, having Michael [Close] back there gives us a bit of a wall of defence,” Thompson said.
“If we're pressuring blokes, pressuring teams up the field, it means they have to kick the ball long, and that's what we want.”
“So if we can get the ball up in the air rather than them having really good entries, it goes a long way to us being able to stop them being able to score the footy.”
The win elevates Harrow Balmoral to second on the ladder.