Football
13 May, 2025
Saints edged out by Stawell
In the closest match of the round for Wimmera Football Netball League football, the Horsham Saints were edged out of the game on Saturday by Stawell, with final scores 12.10.82 to 12.14 86.
The Saints led at every interval, but Stawell made an impact when it mattered, and now sit in sixth on the ladder, with the Saints in seventh.
Paul Summers was again great for Stawell in the forward line, booting seven majors, while Cody Driscoll contributed four.
Horsham found the big sticks through Codi Kenny (four) and Jack Henry, and Mitch Martin (three each) predominantly.
Martin was among the best for the Saints, along with Gage Wright, while for the victors, Aiden Graveson and Sam Williams were best on ground.
Coach of Stawell, James Sullivan, said it was a pleasing win, despite his side's slow start.
"They were beating us around the ball, and were a lot cleaner than we were, too," Sullivan said.
"We were really fumbly, which was not what we were the first three weeks, and they were moving the ball really well.
"They played a good brand in that first half; they certainly jumped at us and were playing better than we were."
The coach addressed his team at halftime about getting back to basics.
"We'd done a lot of work on our structures through the week, but we were going away from our number one thing, as far as winning the footy at the source, so we had a big focus on that," Sullivan said.
"The midfielders went to work and cleaned up that area, and I thought we were efficient moving forward and getting the ball into our forward line, which is something we've worked on in the last couple of weeks."
The Saints gave in to Stawell's pressure with about four minutes to go.
"We got within four points, and then we gave away a 50 to the goal line, which put them a goal and a half ahead," Sullivan said.
"But we went to work after that and (hit the lead) probably three to four minutes to go, and from there we were able to slow the game down and get repeat stoppages, and luckily the siren went with us in front."
The coach was pleased with how his side were able to run out the match.
"We have done a massive preseason and we back our fitness in every game," he said.
"We did speak to the boys about that, about keeping running and taking the game on, and the boys stuck to that and were able to run out the game really well.
"I'm pleased with the efforts in the last quarter, but there is plenty of work to do, plenty of learnings to take from quarters one to three."
As mentioned, Summers booted seven for Stawell, and Sullivan was pleased with his performance.
"Pauly played really well," he said.
"We had a big focus on our forward entries over the last couple of weeks. He started the season well in Round One, but we didn't look after him well in Rounds Two and Three.
"We, across the bye, had a big focus on that, and it wasn't just him, it was the other big guys in Cody Driscoll and Aiden Graveson, both of them played their roles.
"It's starting to work, we are starting to build the cohesion between them, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they will bring to the remainder of the year."
Sullivan also gave mention to skipper Sammy Williams, who he said was their best player on Saturday, along with Zac Marrow.