Football
28 May, 2025
Laharum make it two from two
Laharum’s senior women’s football team backed up their opening-round win with a decisive victory against Horsham in round two of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
In their first home game of the year, Laharum triumphed 6.17 53 to 0.1 1.
The home side never looked back after a 21-0 first quarter, consistently building their lead throughout the game.
For Laharum, their best players were Violet McGennisken and Poppy Peters, while Horsham’s Macy Uebergang and Sophie Sarre were amongst their team’s best.
Laharum’s Tarah Bond kicked three goals to add to one she kicked in the opening round.
Rod ‘Rocket’ Hogan, Laharum’s coach, was pleased with the team’s performance, particularly considering the changes to last week’s team.
“I was really happy with today's game,” Hogan said.
“We had eight or nine from last week's team not available, either through sickness, unavailability, or netball injuries, so, yeah, I was really happy.
“We had players stepping into new roles and did absolutely fantastic jobs.
“Our depth is looking pretty good, and those girls, it was just a credit to them, they stepped up into bigger responsibilities and really flew with it today.”
Hogan was quick to praise Poppy O’Shea for stepping in at ruck for the first time.
“We quickly went through a few things on how to use her body in the ruck and what to do while the juniors were playing, and she probably gave us first use of the footy at every rucking contest that she was involved in,” Hogan said.
“She was absolutely terrific for someone who never played the ruck before.”
The Laharum coach identified some of the team’s teenagers as standouts in their second game.
“Violet McGennisken and Poppy Peters, out in the midfield and wing, they were absolutely fantastic for young girls to be playing against much more mature bodies," he said.
Hogan was appreciative of another big crowd in the women’s football inaugural season.
“Very pleasing crowd again, a good atmosphere, and for a new league starting off, it's a great start to have good crowds, and the girls are certainly enjoying playing in front of them,” Hogan said.
– MACKENZIE BOOK