Netball
23 September, 2025
Saints, Demons share the spoils
The Demons and Saints shared the spoils in the WFNL junior netball grand finals, kick-starting the day with three spirited games at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park.
The 17 and under grand final saw a game of two distinctly different halves as the Horsham Saints defeated Horsham Demons 48-39.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, as Zarli Knight stamped her authority on the game early, giving Horsham a 9-8 lead at the first break.
The teams traded goals in the second quarter in a high-scoring affair; 25 goals were scored between the sides, including a penalty goal by Lena Marshman after the siren to level the scores at half-time.
In the second half, the Saints upped the ante, scoring 20 goals.
However, the Demons could not keep up, adding only 10, as defenders Maddison Bethune and Chelsea Ellis began to dominate the goal circle.
Playing with a 10-goal lead, the Saints sat back and preyed on the Demons' loose passes.
While they added only seven goals in the last quarter, the Saints limited the Demons to eight, eventually winning by nine goals.
Marshman finished with 30 goals while Violet McGennisken and Ayva Robertson added nine each.
Horsham’s Knight also finished with 30 goals while Karla and Ella Hallam added six and three goals, respectively.
Earlier, the Horsham Saints claimed the 15 and under title, defeating Horsham Demons 39-16 in a defensive clinic.
The Saints came out strongly, motivated by an overtime loss to the Demons in the semi-final two weeks earlier.
Lani King and Ruby Bethune prevented the Demons' circle entries, giving the Saints extra possessions throughout the game.
The minor premiers went into the first break ahead 10-4, which could have been more if not for the firm rebounding by the Demons’ goalkeeper Ryder Thomas.
However, the Saints turned the screws again in the second quarter, limiting Horsham to just three goals while adding eight themselves.
The reigning premiers continued to control the midcourt in the second half, giving Saints shooters Ivy Hofmaier (10 goals) and Olivia Taylor (26) plenty of good looks.
At the final break, the Saints led 28-12.
However, they did not let up defensively, limiting Horsham to just four goals in the last quarter while having their best-scoring quarter of the game to win by 23.
Taylor was named best on court for the Saints, while her counterpart, Malaya Willmore, was a standout for the Demons.
In the first contest of the day, the Horsham Demons were dominant in their 45-19 win against the Stawell Warriors in the 13 and under grand final.
The Demons entered the game with a perfect 17-0 record.
However, the Warriors were not intimidated as defenders Greta Thomas and Mia Bailey rebounded strongly from the first whistle.
The Demons led at the first break 7-6.
Horsham’s midcourt applied the pressure in the second quarter, generating turnovers from tight zone defence.
The extra possessions helped Horsham take an 18-11 lead into the main break.
The Demons controlled the second half, limiting the Warriors to just eight goals, while Jayda Hallam (16 goals) and Luella Burke (29 goals) scored freely at the other end.
Horsham added 15 goals in the fourth quarter – their most for the game – to win the premiership by 26 goals.
Demon’s captain Adele Tucker was named best on court.
Lexi Kleinitz and Burke were also standouts.
