Football
7 August, 2025
Laharum ready for Bombers
Only one team have managed to defeat Noradjuha Quantong this season in men’s seniors football, but Laharum are looking forward to the challenge this Saturday when the two sides meet for round 17 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Besides a lacklustre first half from Noradjuha Quantong against Natimuk United in round 14 after coming back from the bye, the league leaders have stamped their authority in recent weeks, including big wins over Edenhope Apsley and Taylors Lake.
An integral part of the Bombers’ dominance is their potent offence, with four of their forwards – Judah Hobbs, Brock Orval, Dylan Shelley and Jye Walter – all being amongst the top seven goalscorers in the league this season.
But they come across a Laharum side that kept them to 63 points back in round six and who are looking to cement their spot in the top five.
Robbie Miller, co-coach of Laharum, has identified the need to minimise Noradjuha Quantong’s key strengths, including their forward group.
“We know their youth, their speed and their skill level is probably their strength,” Miller said.
“Not allowing them to get the ball on the outside, we'll try to limit that as much as possible, and we’ll probably might try to make it a bit of a contested game.
“They've got some forwards who can kick goals so we'll look to limit their momentum when they do have it, which they will – it's limiting what they do when they do have the momentum.”
Helping the Demons is the fact they come off a round 16 bye and are closer to a full-strength side.
“We try to utilise our byes to switch off from footy and just to try to refresh the body and mind, which is important,” Miller said.
“Our availability this week is looking a lot better.
"We’ve got a couple out but that's the nature of it.
“We are starting to look a little bit stronger injury-wise and availability-wise.”
With a strong percentage to go with their nine wins, the fourth-placed Demons will likely need just one win against either the Bombers, or Rupanyup in round 18, to secure a finals spot.
Miller wants Laharum to make the finals on their own terms.
“We've spoken within the group that we want to write our own story – we don't want to rely on other results,” Miller said.
“We want to put our future in our hands so we want to continue winning every game, and that’s no different against Noradjuha Quantong.”