Football
2 September, 2025
Depleted Demons deliver gutsy victory
Laharum’s men’s seniors football side has progressed to the Horsham District Football Netball League preliminary finals after defeating Pimpinio in Sunday’s semi-final.
Playing at Laharum, the Demons kicked 14.6 (90) to Pimpinio’s 5.8 (38).
Having lost both previous encounters between the two sides in 2025, the Demons shot out of the gate, with goals to Josh Hutchinson, Monty Wynne and Phil Butsch giving Laharum a 19-0 lead after just eight minutes.
Little separated the sides for the remainder of the opening quarter, with defences from each team thwarting their opponents’ upfield pushes, as Laharum entered the first break up 20-1.
With Laharum losing ruckman Shannon Argall and forward Brodie Mines, Pimpinio responded quickly out of the break, with sharp kicking and marking into the forward 50 helping ignite three goals within 10 minutes for the Tigers.
Pimpinio eventually levelled the scores before a Chase Whelan goal for Laharum just before half-time saw the Demons enter the main break with a 33-28 lead.
Despite injuries leaving them without a bench, Laharum started the second half strongly with goals from Whelan and Robbie Miller, before a long-range goal from Whelan extended Laharum’s lead to 24 (52-28).
Pimpinio were unable to convert critical opportunities midway through the third as two additional goals to the Demons saw them take a 64-30 lead with just one quarter remaining.
A goal from Tom Arthur seven minutes into the fourth looked to get Pimpinio back into the game, but Laharum responded immediately with a Wynne goal.
The Demons were able to dominate possession and territory for the remainder of the quarter, limiting Pimpinio’s attacking opportunities while continuing to put goals on the scoreboard, finishing 52-point winners.
Along with his two goals, Wynne was one of the best on ground from the wing, with Todd Heynen being a steady presence around halfback for the Demons.
For Pimpinio, Matthew Healy consistently created upfield possessions with his work in the ruck and powerful kicking.
Whelan led all scorers with four goals, with Hutchinson kicking three, while Nick Groves and Arthur led Pimpinio with two each.
Laharum coach Robbie Miller said he was immensely proud of the playing group amidst their in-game injuries.
“To have poor Shannon (Argall), who’s poured a lot into this senior group over the years, go down in a final, it is sad – I hope he’s still proud,” Miller said.
“To have no bench in the second half, it speaks big of the resilience about this group and they showed that today.
“There was no real match play or match ball movement, so to speak; it was sheer guts and determination by the group, creating contests and creating opportunity, and it was bloody good to see them get the reward.”
Asked about the impressive performances from their young players, Miller credited their maturity for stepping up.
“For these young blokes to step up – and they play key roles within our side; they play well beyond their years – it was great for them to really mature within that role today,” Miller said.
“You could throw a blanket over this side: it wasn't any individual who put anyone or the whole team on their back.
“Everyone played their role, from the entire back six to the midfield group, to the forwards taking their opportunities and working together.
"It was a complete team performance."
Now advancing to the preliminary final, where they will take on Noradjuha Quantong, Miller spoke about how much the victory meant for the club.
“To see this group and to see this club, it's not just the senior group feel as though they have won today,” Miller said.
“I think it's the whole club in general.
"Speaking on where the senior sides have been or come from the last two years to now be playing off in a prelim, it's pretty bloody special.”
