Football
10 August, 2025
Bombers secure minor premiership with victory over Laharum
Noradjuha Quantong have secured the Horsham District Football Netball League’s seniors football minor premiership after defeating a valiant Laharum team in round 17 on Saturday.
Noradjuha Quantong have secured the Horsham District Football Netball League’s seniors football minor premiership after defeating a valiant Laharum team in round 17 on Saturday.
Playing at Laharum, Noradjuha Quantong kicked 15.9 99 to Laharum’s 9.6 60.
Coming off a Most Valuable Player performance at the School Sports Australia Football Championships, Chase Whelan scored the opening two goals of the match for Laharum, but the Bombers quickly responded, securing a 21-18 lead at the first break.
Laharum scored two goals early in the second quarter, however, Noradjuha Quantong demonstrated why they are the team to beat, utilising their speed and accurate infield kicking to create opportunities up forward. The Bombers scored six goals in the quarter, including four goals in an eight-minute stretch, going up 59-40 at halftime.
Laharum came out strongly at the start of the third with a Josh Hutchinson goal, and continued to get the ball into the forward 50, but strong defensive coverage from the Bombers meant the Demons were unable to get quality looks at goal.
After a Brock Orval goal, the Bombers’ offence ignited, with two goals from Dylan Shelley and one from Judah Hobbs, giving the visitors an 82-48 lead at the final break.
Following a fired-up speech from player-coach Robbie Miller, Laharum kicked two early goals in the fourth to keep themselves in the game, continually pressuring the Bombers’ defence.
But a Dylan Shelley goal from 50 metres out put the game to bed as Noradjuha Quantong finished 39-point winners.
Shelley and Orval had great performances up forward for the Bombers, kicking five and six goals, respectively, while Jack Vague had another great game in the ruck.
For Laharum, Shannon Argall and Monty Wynne put in impressive performances, while youngsters Whelan and Hutchinson each scored three goals.
Damian Cameron, coach of Noradjuha Quantong, says a strong finish to the third quarter was crucial in setting up the victory.
“The game did go both ways right from the start,” Cameron said.
“They owned the first five or so minutes, and then we played a good rest of the quarter, and our second quarter went really well.
“I think we were under a bit of pressure for a lot of that third quarter, and it was nearly 15 minutes before we wrestled any sort of control.
“If they (Laharum) had hit the scoreboard a little bit more in that 15 minutes, it would have made the game a lot different.
“To be able to kick two or three at the end of that quarter and probably get to a safe distance was probably what changed it in the end and meant a little bit less pressure in that last quarter.”
As well as crediting the midfield effort from his side, Cameron praised Shelley for his leadership and performance.
“Today is one of the most complete games I've seen him play,” Cameron said.
“He was good on the defensive side, on the attacking side, he finished off with goals and brought his teammates into the game.
“I think he took a real step as captain today.”
Asked about securing first place leading into finals, Cameron believes it is a reflection of the ongoing improvement of the team in recent years.
“We've obviously been creeping up as a team over the last four or five years,” Cameron said.
"The twos (reserves) have had their fair share on top, but this would be the first time for the seniors to finish on top since the club's merger, I believe.
“We're sort of exactly where we want to be, and if we can finish a season here, it'll be a huge milestone.