Football
27 May, 2026
Southern Roos win thriller over Demons
Harrow Balmoral’s senior football side held off an almighty challenge from Laharum in round seven of the Horsham District Football Netball League on Saturday, May 23, defeating the Demons 15.4 (94) to 12.7 (79).
Played at Harrow, it was the visitors who got on the scoreboard early through two Jack Fenner goals.
But the reigning premiers quickly responded, before a Robbie Miller goal shortly before quarter time ensured the visitors took a 24-20 lead at the first break.
Multiple lead changes ensued early in the second quarter, before four goals in the span of six minutes saw Laharum take a 56-33 lead.
As expected, Harrow Balmoral quickly responded with three late-quarter goals to cut the deficit to five (56-51) at halftime.
Both sides continued to get opportunities up forward, but the visitors weren’t quite as effective as they were in the first half, seeing them enter the final break with a 72-70 lead.
Three goals in the opening eight minutes of the fourth quarter saw the Southern Roos retake the lead.
Despite multiple forward 50 entries, the Demons only managed one goal in the final term before Cody Deutscher sealed the game for the home side with his fifth major of the game with four minutes remaining.
Along with Duetscher’s five, Michael Close and Ethan Appleton each kicked two for the Southern Roos.
For Laharum, Jack Fenner led the side with six goals, while Monty Wynne had two.
As well as Cody Deutscher’s performance up forward, Michael Close, William Plush, Anthony Close and Jai Thompson all had strong performances in Harrow Balmoral’s win.
Midfielders Daniel Easson and Monty Wynne were again standouts for the Demons, with Brett Ervin, Josh Hutchinson and Robbie Miller also impressing.
Hailing the game as a great contest between the two teams, Southern Roos coach Jai Thompson credited the side's composure after Laharum got a four-goal lead in the second quarter.
"I told the boys at halftime, it was great to see how we responded after they kicked four goals in quick succession," he said.
"For our guys to not drop their heads, keep working on what we know works, try and control the footy, and then respond with some goals of our own, demonstrates our experience and that we can get back into any game we need to."
The Harrow Balmoral coach said moving Michael Close back was key to limiting Laharum's inside 50 ball to Jack Fenner.
"Our biggest task of the day was trying to keep the ball out of Fenner's hands," Thompson said.
"He's just such a dynamic forward, so we had to try and keep it as congested as possible through the middle.
"We ended up putting Michael Close at halfback, which forced Laharum to have to kick around him a little bit rather than kick it to him, which helped a fair bit through that second half."
Thompson also praised Cody Deutscher for his work up forward in the second half.
"Cody's great through the midfield, but when he goes forward, it creates such a good target," he said.
"Even when Michael moves to halfback, Cody becomes that key marking option forward, and that worked really well for us on Saturday."