Football
23 July, 2025
Laharum fight off determined Burras
Laharum’s senior women’s football side earned a hard-fought win against Minyip Murtoa on Sunday in round eight of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Demons kicked 5.6 (36) to the Burras’ 1.3 (9).
The result means Laharum finish the regular season undefeated and enters the grand final clash on August 3 against Minyip Murtoa as favourites to take out the inaugural women’s Wimmera league senior football premiership.
Laharum were able to establish an early 8-0 lead at the first break with youngster Violet McGennisken kicking the opening goal of the match.
But the Burras responded early in the second via an Ashee Ison goal, as both sides played out a physical first half, with Laharum up 11-7 at half-time.
Goals to McGennisken and Rylee Hateley early in the third quarter saw Laharum assume control of the match as they nullified some opportunities up forward from Minyip Murtoa.
Two final-quarter goals from Laharum consolidated their lead as they finished the game 27-point winners.
McGennisken was one of the best on the field with her two goals for Laharum, with Hateley also scoring two of her own.
For Minyip Murtoa, Scarlet Funcke was dynamic with her speed in the midfield, while Ashlee Ison was impressive up forward, kicking the Burras’ solitary goal.
Rod Hogan, coach of Laharum, was happy with his side’s performance in the competitive clash.
“Happy to get the final,” Hogan said.
“I was happy with our intensity and I thought we tackled really well all game.
“It was a good contest all game and it definitely got to another level.”
Earlier in the day, the Laharum under 14.5 girls' team defeated the Minyip Murtoa-Warrack Eagles 99-46 on the back of a strong opening quarter.
Georgia Foster and Lilly Peucker were two of the standouts for the Demons, kicking four and three goals, respectively.