Football
16 November, 2025
Laharum gearing up for 2026
The Laharum senior football side has demonstrated its intention to build on its impressive 2025 season in the Horsham District Football Netball League, signing multiple recruits for the 2026 season.
Forward Jack Fenner and ruckman Pat MacDonough are the headline signings for the Demons.
Fenner has played the last four years with Penleigh and Essendon Grammarians Football Club (PEGS) in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
In contrast, MacDonough has played the last two seasons with Dimboola in the Wimmera Football Netball League.
After making it to the preliminary final in the 2025 season, 2026 coach Robbie Miller said Fenner and MacDonough will help address the team’s main needs.
“The football department identified what we needed from this past season, and we’ve spoken to Jack Fenner in previous years, and he’s jumped on board now,” Miller said.
“It was a lot of weight on our younger forwards to play beyond their years, so with Jack coming in, he has a real strength going forward and is a big body up there that we really needed.”
“We also needed a ruckman to help out.
“With Shannon Argall going down in the finals, it exposed how vulnerable we were in terms of big men that could play the ruck, and Pat will really help us out there.”
With MacDonough previously playing a couple of seasons with Fenner at PEGS, Miller admits it made it easier to sign the big man once Fenner was on board.
“That is the connection, so once we got Jack Fenner on board, it made Pat's decision a bit easier as well,” Miller said.
“They played quite a bit of football together in previous years, so we’re grateful and looking forward to having them.
“It's nice to get them both locked away nice and early in the recruiting season.”
Miller said Fenner and MacDonough, both Melbourne-based, are already demonstrating their impact on the club.
“They’re buy-in since joining Laharum has been amazing,” Miller said.
“They’re posting their fitness sessions on our footballer’s Facebook page.
“They’re quality guys, along with obviously being very handy footballers in areas that we needed to continue improving.”
Along with having already re-signed most of last year’s team, the club has recruited Will Deayton, who previously played with the Horsham Demons and Kalkee, Coby Mines from Taylors Lake, while also bringing back former junior Lewis Hofmaier, who was part of the Horsham Saints’ 2025 premiership-winning under-17 team in the Wimmera League.
Miller said the new signings are as much about the quality of people as they are about the on-field talent they provide, putting them in a good position for 2026.
“We’re not only just looking for good footballers that fit in with our culture,” Miller said.
“One thing we pride ourselves on is good people above ability.
“The new players match our club culture and values, and it shows we’re a great club that’s moving forward.
“I think that's put us in good stead recruiting-wise.
“It saves a lot of hassle nearing the season, and allows us to focus more on our game plan, our structure.”
While Laharum appear to be the most active this far into the offseason, numerous Horsham District League teams are starting to make key additions, particularly on the coaching front.
For Edenhope Apsley, Toby Ferguson will take the coaching reins after two years playing at the club, with the Saints recently announcing numerous recruits from across the border.
Former South Australian National Football League player Matt Spencely comes from Southern Flinders, Dylan Gerner makes the move from Mitchell Park in the Adelaide Football League, and Billy Cameron joins from Echunga Football Club.
Former Pimpinio coach Clint Burdett will take over from Andy Devereaux as Kalkee coach, with Devereaux staying on as a player.
Former AFL player Tanner Smith joins the Kees as a playing assistant coach from Minyip Murtoa, while Jacob Harris will return to the club after two years playing for Bell Park in the Barwon Football Netball League.
After guiding Pimpinio to two straight finals series, Guy Smith has stepped down from his role as coach, as esteemed players Matt Rosier and Cullen Williams take over as co-coaches for the Tigers in 2026.
For Rupanyup, Sam Kamstra (Taylors Lake) and Jed Dickerson (Horsham Demons) will join the Panthers for 2026.
Nigel Sibson will make the move from the Great Western Football Netball Club (Mininera and District Football League) to take over as coach for the Stawell Swifts.
Former coach Brett Hargreaves will stay on with the club, while former junior Hamish Smith will return to the club.
At Taylors Lake, Lee Marshall will be the 2026 coach after taking over as interim coach late in the 2025 season.
Helping Marshall will be incoming assistant coach Deek Roberts, a former league best and fairest who has played for Nhill and Horsham in the Wimmera League in recent years.
Other additions for the Lakers include Dylan Bates, who moves from Pimpinio, and Chris Fletcher, who joins from Sandgate in the Queensland Football Association. Trae Martin also returns to the club after a year away.