Sport
15 May, 2026
Roos host Thunder at home
Dimboola is excited to be back at home against the Thunder this week following a challenging start to the year.
The Andrew Moore-led side has come up against and lost to some of the most competitive sides in the division this year, in Ararat, the Eagles and the Demons.
But the news doesn't get any better this week, with their opposition, the Thunder, in third, having been narrowly defeated in the first round before claiming the scalps of the Burras, Horsham Saints and Stawell.
Thunder coaching director Jake Bridges said, despite Dimboola’s slow start to the year, his side cannot afford to be complacent.
“In this competition, if your mindset drops away, you get exposed pretty quickly,” he said.
“They’re a young side that plays with energy and enthusiasm, so we know they’ll come in with plenty to prove.
“Andrew Moore and Ben Miller are quality players and obviously important to Dimboola, but we’ve got confidence in the system and roles our group is building.
“We’ll back our boys in to compete strongly in those match-ups.”
After an interrupted start to the season, Bridges said this match was an opportunity for the Thunder to further develop their identity.
“We want to keep evolving our connection around the footy and maintain the relentless effort and pressure we’ve started to show consistently over the past few weeks,” he said.
“We’ll be looking closely at our contest work, team defence and our ability to stay disciplined with the way we move the ball for four quarters.”
While Dimboola have been led by a few experienced leaders this season, namely in Moore, Ashley Clugston and Darcy Dubois, the Thunder also has a number of impressive players, including Billy Lloyd, who has been solid week in, week out, along with Harry McLeod and Rupert Sangster.
Matty Lloyd for the Thunder has eight goals across his four matches this season, while Dimboola has struggled to have a player consistently find the big sticks.
Coach of Dimboola, Andrew Moore, said it is another opportunity for his side to improve in the areas they have identified as needing work.
"It is another game at home for us, which is exciting," Moore said.
"And hopefully we can continue improving on the areas we need to."