Football
6 May, 2024
Three teams remain unbeaten
Stawell Swifts, Harrow Balmoral and Pimpinio are the three unbeaten teams after round four of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Stawell confirmed their premiership credentials with a tough 31-point win over Noradjuha Quantong at North Park.
It was a tight first quarter with the Swifts taking a seven-point lead into quarter time. They extended the margin to 15 at the main break before running out the game well, winning 14.10.94 to 8.15.63.
Levi Mock did a great job on Paul Summers, limiting him to four goals, his lowest tally of the year. Chris Freeman and Ryan Folkes were brilliant for Stawell with Brodie Kindred playing well in defence and Joseph Martin playing great across halfback in his first game of the year.
Swifts coach Brett Hargreaves said they both played well.
"Brodie has probably played more reserves than seniors and as a young guy he impressed during pre-season and we picked him round one and he has been improving every game," Hargreaves said.
"He is an old school defender and is great one-on-one and rarely gets beaten and doesn't waste the ball when he gets it and plays well under pressure.
"Joseph is establishing himself as a senior player."
Hargreaves said he was pleased getting the four points.
"We had this game earmarked for well over a month and have been building towards it as you need to win these games to get a double chance by securing a top-two spot," Hargreaves said.
"We learned that our best footy is good enough and we were great under pressure, something we haven't been this season.
"We have identified we need to work on our ball movement as we went away from it and stopped running off halfback, so we just need to focus on playing a consistent game."
Judah Hobbs and Dylan Shelley both kicked two goals for the Bombers with Jayden Besford and James Hallett solid as usual.
Harrow Balmoral secure another big win
Harrow Balmoral stormed to a 75-point win over Natimuk at Natimuk Showgrounds.
The Southern Roos set the game up in the first quarter kicking eight goals to one and then extended throughout the game to run out 22.12.144 to 10.9.69 winners.
Jai Thompson led the way with four goals as they had 11 different goalkickers whilst Cody Deutscher was best on the ground through the middle.
For Natimuk, Kaiden Sudholz was their best player with Lachlan Harris leading the way with four goals.
Pimpinio also remain unbeaten
At Pimpinio Sporting Complex, five goals to Liam Jakobi led the Tigers to a comfortable 56-point win over Kalkee.
Kalkee played tight in the first quarter trailing by three points at quarter time and battled hard in the second to trail by 25 points at half time. It was in the second half that the Tigers pounced, kicking nine goals to four to win 15.17.107 to 7.9.51.
Adam Westley and Noah Jacobsen were among the best for the Tigers. For Kalkee, Patrick Mills was their best player alongside Zavier Hobbs with Jayden Kuhne kicking two goals.
Demons win three in a row
At Cameron Oval, the Demons continued their winning ways with a 33 point win over Taylors Lake.
It was a tight first half with Laharum leading by 14 points at quarter time and only 11 at half time. A five to two-goal second half saw them run out 11.10.76 to 6.7.43 winners.
Coach Shannon Argall was sensational up forward with six goals with Brett Ervin excellent down back and Daniel Easson again solid in the middle. Robbie Miller also chipped in with two goals with Patt Lattanzio and Ryan Thomas among the best, the latter doing a good job on Justin Beugelaar limiting him to two goals.
Sam Godden kicked three goals for the Lakers with Matthew Millward and Michael Graham also among their best players.
Shannon Argall praised his backline.
"Our backline is awesome and is constricting opponents and making it hard for them to get movement happening up forward," Argall said.
"Our midfielders were also excellent on the weekend as they were able to kick to our forwards' advantage which makes a huge difference."
"Brett Ervin had a great game in defence and his leadership is influential and important for the other backs. It's great to have a guy like that you can rely on."
Downer's seven goals for Rupanyup sink Kaniva Leeor
Blake Downer booted seven goals in Rupanyup's 94-point win over Kaniva Leeor at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.
Kaniva Leeor trailed by 21 points at quarter time and that was the only resistance the Panthers had as they ran out 20.18.138 to 6.8.44 winners.
Mitch Gleeson celebrated his 50th game in style for the Panthers with a best-on-ground performance.
For the Cougars, Toby Mulraney kicked two goals with Charlie Maddern and Dylan Natt among their best players.