Football
15 May, 2024
Nhill and Horsham set to clash
Nhill hosts the Horsham Demons at Davis Park when round five of the Wimmera Football Netball League gets underway on Saturday.
Both teams have shown considerable improvement at the start of the season, and a close game is anticipated.
Jack Dalziel should be back for the Demons and he may get the job on Dan Batson who has scored nine goals for the season. Ben Lakin and Cullen Williams are also candidates to play on the key forward.
Coach Jordy Burke said they are playing good football and if they can remain consistent over four quarters, they will start winning matches.
"Every week I have said to the boys that the competition is 50/50 and it's so even," Burke said.
"Nhill defeated Dimboola and has been in some tight contests and so have we. They are a few quick young blokes that we can match up on.
"It will be a good game and we are looking forward to developing more as a team and playing good football."
Minyip Murtoa hosts the Southern Mallee Thunder at the Minyip Recreation Reserve. Tim McIntyre is still out with a knee injury and Nic Ballagh might return and coach Gareth Hose is confident in their chances.
"We are expecting a tough battle and it is another good opportunity to see how we stack up against one of the top sides of the competition," Hose said.
"A few weeks against Stawell we let ourselves down so hopefully we can put a better fight up against the Thunder, learn from those losses and who knows what could happen."
The Thunder should welcome back Sam White and Simon Clugston from the concussion they suffered in round one.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty says they are still finding their feet with each other, but are growing every week.
"The more footy we play, the better we get as a team and we are still trying to learn and find out more about how each other plays," Delahunty said.
"This will be a good test against the Burras as they have some good midfielders and we will have a plan with one or two of them.
"Oscar Gawith is also in good form so we will have to keep a close eye on him and where he plays."
Dimboola will look to have a big win when they host the Warrack Eagles at Dimboola Recreation Reserve.
Despite where both teams are at, Dimboola coach Jack Landt knows it will be tough.
"In the past, we have struggled against these sort of sides and we need to come in with the right mindset and bring the effort we did against Stawell," Landt said.
"It's easy to get complacent and not play four quarters, but on Saturday, we need to play those four quarters.
"Our consistency this season hasn't been great and I think on Saturday we only played two good quarters, so if we are more consistent, play the four quarters, we will be a damaging team and start winning games, and hopefully it happens this week."
Stopping Jackson Calder will go a big way toward winning the game and the Eagles have Kyle Cheney, Will Batson or Machok Garang who may get the job on him.
Matt Walder said the game against Minyip Murtoa will help them citing they are a similar type of team.
"Dimboola is similar to the Burras in that they have some big, tall players and a bigger-bodied midfield," Walder said.
"We have to find a way to combat that and get around it. We showed some good signs last week and just want to build on that and it will be a good test."
At Coughlin Park, Ararat returns fresh from the bye to play the Horsham Saints.
Both teams are riddled with injuries. The Saints should welcome back Mitch Clarke.
Ben Knott said Clark will be a good footballer.
"He played under-17s last year and started playing finals in the seniors last year and he will be a very good footballer," Knott said.
"We have to change a few things up and try and find a way of stopping Tom Williamson and Billy Taylor, Xander McRae or Gage Wright will get turns on him depending on where he lines up."
Ararat may welcome back Ben Taylor, but Tom Mills will still be missing alongside Xav Vearing and Sonny Kettle.