Football
23 September, 2025
Demons and Saints claim junior success
The Horsham Demons and the Horsham Saints claimed premiership glory in the WFNL junior football grand finals on Saturday at Warracknabeal.
Under 14s: Demons win thriller over Nhill
A last-minute goal was the deciding factor in the under 14s football grand final, with the Horsham Demons pipping Nhill to take out the premiership.
Horsham kicked 4.4 (28) to Nhill’s 3.5 (23).
In the final moments of the game, a Nhill kick across their own goalface was intercepted by Horsham’s Lewis Both, who quickly played on to kick the winning goal.
Earlier in the game Nhill got off to a strong start, kicking two goals in the opening quarter to take a 13-0 lead at the first break.
Horsham used the wind to their own advantage in the second to reduce the Nhill lead to one (14-13) at half-time.
A strong third quarter from the Tigers provided numerous opportunities as they extended their lead to 23-13 at the third-quarter break.
But the Demons put in a determined finish, constantly pressuring Nhill’s defensive 50 before the game-winning goal secured the come-from-behind victory.
In exciting scenes for the Horsham side, the players piled on Lewis after the siren, celebrating his match-winning goal.
In the winning effort, Chavi Sulic was named best on ground, with Archie Knight, Baxta Wade and Chace Hall being among Horsham’s best.
Douglas Lunga, Ah Nee Nwe and Lenny Shurdington were some of Nhill’s best players, with Nicholas Verrall kicking two goals for the Tigers.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Horsham coach Steven Both was empathetic of Nhill’s heartbreak.
“We got lucky there at the end,” Both said.
“But we did work hard.
"We did enough during the season to deserve a crack at today's game, as did the Nhill boys, and I think that's what it's about: you've earned the opportunity.
“As we see time and time again, grand finals seem to owe you nothing.
"Sometimes they go well, sometimes they don't go so well and sometimes they break your heart.”
Under 17s: Saints put exclamation point on dominant season
The Horsham Saints proved too strong for their cross-town counterparts, completing an undefeated season as they claimed the under 17s football premiership.
The Saints kicked 19.11 (125) to Horsham’s 6.5 (41).
Despite being against the wind in the opening quarter, the Saints quickly asserted their control, establishing a 26-1 lead by the first break.
Led up forward by Levi Munyard and Max Inkster, the Saints added another six goals in the second quarter, extending their lead to 65-13 at half-time.
A spirited third quarter from the Demons brought the deficit to 78-35 with a quarter to play before a dominant final quarter from the Saints blew the game out, eventually finishing 84-point winners.
Max Inskter was named best on ground for his performance, which included five goals, with Jack Henry, Bodey Wilde and Jaxon Crooks being amongst the Saints’ best.
Munyard led the side with six goals.
For Horsham, Judah Pumpa, Christian Wait, Ethan Worthy and Zavier Purdue were among the best players.
Saints coach Gage Wright said the side’s dominant season was a product of the hard work the side had put in since preseason.
“I could tell from the start of the year it was going to be different,” Wright said.
“From the first training, we did what we needed to do and made sure it happened.
“The boys listened, worked hard and got the job done today.”
