Sport
9 December, 2025
Countdown begins: our top 25 sporting moments of 2025
Wimmera Mallee News unveils top 25 sporting moments of 2025
The Wimmera and Mallee regions enjoyed a year of exceptional sporting success in 2025, with athletes shining on local, national, and international stages.
To properly review this momentous year, Wimmera Mallee News' lead sportswriters - MACKENZIE BOOK, ZOEY ANDREWS and BEN FRASER - compiled an exhaustive list of the year's biggest sporting moments.
They then individually voted to determine their top 25.
Following lively debate and a final tally of votes, a definitive Top 25 was established.
We will unveil this prestigious list across the next five editions of The Wimmera Mail-Times, culminating with the reveal of the Top Five on Tuesday, December 23.
Which event will claim the coveted number one spot?
25: Chase Whelan kicks six goals on debut for Laharum
Already a star on the rise, Chase Whelan made an immediate impact in his Horsham District Football Netball League senior football debut, kicking six goals in Laharum’s round one win over Kalkee in April.
Whelan said he was stunned by the six-goal haul and was happy just to get selected for seniors in the first place.
“Kicked a few goals, which was very, very lucky,” Whelan said.
“I was very grateful for the opportunity from the Laharum Football Club.
“It was a big shock, to be honest. I didn't expect to kick any, let alone get a seniors game, so I just got to thank the Laharum Football Club for selecting me.”
The 15-year-old would go on to kick 40 goals in 10 senior games for the Demons, including a nine-goal performance against Rupanyup.
Whelan also represented Victoria at the School Sports Australia Football Championships, where he was the tournament’s leading goal kicker and Most Valuable Player, as he helped lead Victoria to the title.
“I was lucky enough to get selected for the under-15 Victorian side, went up to Queensland, and it was just an unreal experience,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to get a couple of goals, win the MVP, which was awesome, and it gave me a bit of confidence to keep striving with my footy, knowing that I can get to that level.”
24: Homers claim back-to-back HCA premierships
Despite having some new inclusions from their 2023-24 A grade season, Homers finished second during the home and away season before facing the Noradjuha Toolondo Bullants in the grand final.
Dominant bowling performances in the first innings by Baxter Perry and Chaminda Gamage contained the Bullants to 89 before multiple top-order contributions ensured they got the first innings advantage.
A Hugh Dougherty boundary in their second innings would secure a seven-wicket victory and the back-to-back premierships.
23: Pimpinio under-17s football win fourth straight premiership
In a rare junior achievement, Pimpinio’s under 17 football team won their fourth straight premiership this year, overcoming Kaniva Leeor Edenhope Apsley 52-50 in the Horsham District Football Netball League grand final.
Since 1998, no club had won more than two straight premierships at the junior level before the Tigers managed the feat in 2024, and made history yet again with the 2025 premiership.
The 2025 grand final best on ground, Austin Simpson and teammate Brydon McPhee share the achievement of being part of all four premierships.
22: Kara Johnson becomes the first female to reach 500 games at Volleyball Horsham
After playing her first volleyball game 17 years ago, Kara Johnson became the first woman from Volleyball Horsham to reach 500 games this year.
Along with Johnson’s longevity are various accomplishments over the years, including being part of Horsham’s first-ever women’s division one gold medal team at the Victorian Country Championships and being a 12-time recipient of the Volleyball Horsham McIntyre Medals for most consistent female.
In addition to Johnson, Tim Popple reached 500 games, with the duo joining Nathan Berry as the only Volleyball Horsham players to reach the milestone.
21: Peter Smith crowned 2024 Wimmera Sports Star of the Year
Following a bronze medal performance at the World Over-35 Waterski Championships in Spain, Peter Smith was awarded the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly’s Sports Star of the Year award for 2024.
Smith finished third in the over-65 individual jump competition to claim bronze, while helping Australia finish second overall at the championships.
In 2025, the waterskier finished third overall at the National Championships and has his eyes set on the 2026 World Championships in Canada.
