Football
18 August, 2025
Nhill deliver blow to Minyip's finals hopes
In what ended up being the closest result of the round, Nhill got the win over Minyip Murtoa, effectively ending the Burras' bid to play finals this season.
Final scores were Nhill 11.13 (79) to Minyip Murtoa 6.13 (49).
The Burras had a handy, but small, eight-point lead after the first quarter and maintained that lead heading into half-time.
Nhill made their move after half-time though, holding their opposition to just four points while adding 4.3 to their score.
It was a better final quarter for Minyip Murtoa according to the score, but Nhill still expanded the lead to run out 30-point winners.
For the home side, Nhill, Clay Shadforth found the big sticks four times and was among the best on the field, along with Liam Albrecht.
For Minyip Murtoa, Kade Petering and Luke Fisher led the way, while Tanner Smith was good in front of goals, with three.
Co-coach at Nhill, Trevor Ryan, said he was happy with their finish to the match, despite a bit of a slow start.
"(Lately) our start has been a bit of a worry but we finished strongly so it's a positive in that way," Ryan said.
"I was happy with the five-goal result at the end of it."
Asked about the slow start and how he and co-coach Jake McQueen would address this coming into finals, Ryan admitted it was a hard challenge.
"Preparation has a bit to do with individuals and what their mindset is before the game, and then it's how they get through the warm-up and understand what roles they play and what pressure is put on them early in the game," he said.
"But we will put a lot of emphasis (coming up) into our first quarter, especially."
One player who did deliver a brilliant four-quarter effort was Albrecht, according to Ryan.
"Clay Shadforth played really well as a medium forward, and I thought Kobe Hodges played well in the middle, as well," Ryan said.
Nhill will now begin their final week of training before finals as they prepare to take on Ararat, ladder leaders, in the last of the regular rounds for this season on Saturday.