Football
11 August, 2025
Commanding victory for Thunder
Southern Mallee recorded a commanding victory over Nhill on Saturday, almost doubling their final score.
The result was Nhill 9.8 (62), beaten convincingly by the Thunder 18.15 (123).
The Thunder held the lead at each break, in front by a goal, 23 points and 44 respectively.
Better players were Darcy Honeyman and Xavier Bone (Nhill) and Lou White and Sam White (Thunder).
For Nhill Bone and Kobe Hodges each contributed three goals, but Sam White, from the Thunder, was the highest goal scorer with five majors.
Last time the sides met, Nhill beat the Thunder by 16 points, and the coach of Southern Mallee, Kieran Delahunty, said it was good to be able to turn the tables this time.
"We came out with good intensity, and it was good to put a four-quarter performance together," he summarised.
While there has been much speculation among fans in the league about how good the Thunder can be at full potential with their lineup, and so much so, they could be the only side able to take it to Ararat, the dominating win on Saturday even caught Delahunty off guard.
"I hadn't taken too much notice during the game; we just chipped away at it," Delahunty admitted.
"But to the credit of our guys, we played a full four-quarter effort, which is something that has taken us a little while to do this year."
The coach credited all 21 players for their efforts and said this allowed them to claim the four points.
"It was one of those games, as cliché as it sounds, we literally had 21 contributors, and that was probably the most pleasing thing for us," he said.
"Looking at the best players though, the White boys were good, Brayden Ison did a good job down back and Coleman Schache was good as well."
All in all, it was a pleasing win at an important time of the year.
"When you have a lot of changes each week, and guys that are new, it takes time to gel, but I think we are starting to find form at the right time of year," he said.
