Football
29 August, 2025
Reserves and junior footy finals heating up
After an eventful first week of Horsham District Football Netball League finals games, various teams across reserve and junior grades will either play for a spot in the grand final or to keep their finals run alive.
In reserve grade, Pimpinio defeated the Swifts in a tight 46-43 qualifying final and will proceed to play in semi-final two on Saturday against Noradjuha Quantong.
The Swifts handed the Tigers a 76-16 defeat just a week before in round 18, but Saturday saw both sides play a highly-contested game as both sides had multiple opportunities at goal late in the game.
Noradjuha Quantong have been the standout team in reserve grade and will be favoured in Saturday’s semi-final against Pimpinio at Kalkee, having beaten them 81-27 in round nine.
Bombers teammates Tory Chapple and Dylan Bushby will be two players to watch, both sharing goalkicking honours for reserves with 60 goals each during the home-and-away season.
In Sunday’s elimination final, Kalkee got off to a strong start and maintained control of the game as they defeated Laharum 90-38.
Jayke Greig was a standout in the victory up forward, kicking four goals, with Tyler Neville contributing four majors of his own.
The Kees will now meet the Swifts at Laharum on Sunday for a chance at the preliminary final, where they will enter as underdogs, having suffered 101-15 and 98-31 losses to the Stawell side this year.
In the under 17s, Pimpinio reversed the result of their home-and-away matchup against Noradjuha Quantong, defeating the Bombers 88-40 in the qualifying final.
Little separated the sides in the first half but a 36-0 third quarter proved the difference for the Tigers.
Austin Simpson was one of the best on ground in the midfield for Pimpinio, while Isaac Thomas kicked four goals in the winning effort.
Pimpinio will now play for a spot in the grand final when they meet Kalkee in Saturday’s qualifying final.
The sides won their respective home games against each other this year in tight encounters, but Kalkee have the advantage of playing at home this time.
Sunday’s elimination final saw an enthralling clash between Kaniva Leeor Edenhope Apsley and Laharum, with the Cougars prevailing 79-68.
After a tight first quarter, the Cougars raced out to a 45-23 lead on the back of some impressive forward play from Marcus McIntyre.
Having started at centre halfback, Laharum moved Chase Whelan up forward, where he made an immediate impact, helping Laharum to reduce the Cougars' lead to two points (70-68) late in the fourth, but Kaniva Leeor Edenhope Apsley managed to hold on for an 11-point victory
McIntyre and Whelan were notable standouts for their teams, each kicking seven goals.
Kaniva Leeor Edenhope Apsley will now face Noradjuha Quantong on Sunday to stay in the finals.
In the under 14s Noradjuha Quantong won their qualifying final, defeating Laharum 28-8, and will now face Taylors Lake Rupanyup this Saturday for a grand final spot.
In last Sunday’s elimination final Swifts overcame Pimpinio 40-16, led by five goals to Xyrus Gragasin, and will meet Laharum on Sunday.
The second round of finals sees semi-final two games played at Kalkee Recreation Reserve on Saturday, while semi-final one clashes take place on Sunday at Cameron Oval in Laharum.