General News
19 September, 2025
Hopetoun hoping for premiership glory
The excitement is building in Hopetoun and across the district, as Southern Mallee Thunder will face off against Ararat Rats in the 2025 Wimmera Football Netball League grand final this weekend at Warracknabeal.
Former Thunder president Lucas Edelsten said the club’s success in reaching a third consecutive grand final reflected not only the players’ commitment but also the strength of the wider community.
“Getting into a grand final is no easy task, and to get into three in a row is great news,” Edelsten said.
“It’s good for the community to get around, and I’m sure the boys will do us proud.”
A Thunder supporter and mum of two senior players, Michelle White, said the week has been a mix of nerves and pride.
“Feeling excited for a grand final, and I think there’s a bit of apprehension because obviously Southern Mallee Thunder and Ararat have played each other over the last couple of years,” she said.
“But really happy for everyone for the boys to be in it.
“I’m proud to see our club still continuing, and with that comes the excitement of obviously having the two boys playing.”
That junior enthusiasm is apparent in Colt Decker, who plays in the Thunder’s under-14 side and looks up to the senior players.
“I play under-14s for Thunder and love watching the seniors play every week,” Decker said.
“They are a great bunch of guys that I enjoy talking to and supporting.
It’s great they have made it into the grand final again, and hopefully they can get the job done.
“I am excited to watch on Saturday, GO THUNDER.”
Another football enthusiast and an SMT fan from Hopetoun, Joan Solly, is wishing well for her team in the grand final this weekend.
“As a passionate football fanatic, I have enjoyed following Souther Mallee Thunder,” she said.
“I am very excited that SMT will be playing in the grand final, and I look forward to watching them play.
“ They gel well together, play a great style of footy and will do their best.”
Mr Edelsten said the Thunder’s formation had brought the towns of Jeparit and Rainbow closer together.
“The merger has brought a lot more people to the games – it’s become more of a social outing, and it’s been great for connections across the towns,” he said.
“For Jeparit, it’s a full circle moment to be back in the Wimmera League after being part of it decades ago, and for Rainbow, it’s exciting still to have strong representation and host quality games in town.”
Mr Edelsten added that the grand final opportunity had energised locals.
“The community’s stoked and everyone is revved up and ready to go to Warracknabeal this weekend – grand finals don’t always come around that often,” he said.
“After narrowly missing out in last year’s grand final, the community’s hungry for success – a premiership would be the icing on the cake.”
Ms White said the match meant more than just football for the region.
“I just think that it’s a way to uplift the community and to make them realise that it is important to fight for these smaller communities and stick together,” she said.
“As sporting clubs often provide the fabric for the community to hold things together, to keep people involved, to get people out socialising.”
She said the anticipation was shared across generations.
“I love the way it brings in a lot of the juniors and their excitement,” she said.
“Extremely happy, I know they’ll go out there and give it their best shot and hopefully they’ll come away with a win.”
With the Thunder determined to turn last year’s heartbreak into a breakthrough premiership, the stage is set for another fierce battle with Ararat, and the community is ready to roar its support.