Football
16 August, 2025
With nothing to lose, Saints eye ladder leaders
Ararat have the minor premiership in the bag, and the Horsham Saints are out of contention for finals, with a bye in the final round making it impossible for them to crack the final five.
You could be excused for thinking this match doesn't mean much in the context of the season, but the coach of the Horsham Saints, Ben Knott, disagrees.
Last week the Horsham side knocked off Minyip Murtoa, who dropped on the ladder to sixth after the defeat.
This week, the Saints are looking to make another statement - one that no other club has made this season.
"We went into the game against Minyip Murtoa thinking we could put the final nail in their coffin (for finals), if we got the win," admitted Knott.
"And now we will go into the clash against Ararat as: 'Okay, let's be the first team (this season) to beat them.'.
"We've been playing okay footy in patches; it's just we have to do it for four quarters.
"But we realise what we are coming up against, so we have to be at our best.
"Being the last match, our boys' mindset going into the game, that'll be key, so we'll have to attempt to keep them engaged the best way we can."
Knott's request from his side is a big one, considering last time the sides met Ararat won by an even 100 points, but the coach warned they have nothing to lose.
"So let's just have a crack at seeing what we can do," he posed.
"That's what we'll do and then hopefully let's say we are the first team to knock them off for the year.
"It's easier said than done, they are a bloody good team, but we will give it a red hot crack."