Football
19 September, 2025
Scene set for epic WFNL Grand Final
Ararat might be the favourites heading into the Grand Final clash for the Wimmera Football Netball League this Saturday, but Southern Mallee Thunder are cautiously confident in their ability to claim the premiership.
Buoyed by their win in the second semi-final and with the availability of several handy players who are putting their hand up for selection, the scene is set for a classic contest.
However, Ararat co-coach Tom Mills said his side doesn't need to be driven by redemption or revenge from that loss; a Grand Final is enough motivation.
"The Grand Final itself is big, so that's probably the only motivation we need," Mills said.
The Thunder surprised some with the result the first week of the finals series, but brought to light what many others had been saying all season: with a full side, Southern Mallee could be the only team capable of claiming Ararat's scalp.
And in a clash that had it all - including plenty of fire and passion - the Thunder did just that - advancing to the Grand Final, stopping no stations, after claiming the win 11.14 (80) to 11.7 (73).
Since then, Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said his side has enjoyed a break from footy but has been hard at it in training.
"It's always exciting to get to another Grand Final," Delahunty said during the week.
"And I think it's going to be a great game; I think the guys will go in with a bit of confidence knowing we took it up to them last time, but obviously they are a class side and will go into the game as favourites."
Ararat had to earn their place in the Grand Final by defeating Nhill last week, 19.15 129 to 11.6 72.
But Mills said the extra hit out wouldn't have done them any harm.
"The last couple of years, we have done it both ways (advanced straight through to the Grand Final, and by winning the preliminary)," he said.
"Last year we definitely needed the week off, we had a few blokes that might not have got up if we had of lost.
"Whereas this year, it's probably not the worst thing playing the extra game, more run in the legs."
Reflecting on the second semi win, Delahunty said the victory was set up by high pressure.
"We know we've got to bring that," he added.
"Finals footy is a high-pressure game and the ball is on the ground a lot, so we've got to make sure we don't allow them to play their game."
Mills said his side will need to play consistent footy for a full match to have a chance of getting the win.
"I suppose we just need to play footy for four quarters," he said.
"We probably just got sucked in at times in the last game.
"And you know, blokes getting sent off doesn't help, but our main goal is to play footy, four quarters of it, and we reckon that will get the job done for us."
Mills added his side had played good footy all year, except for the one game where they slipped up.
"It's not that we have to change much," he added.
"It's just mindset."
The Thunder, having the week off, has allowed some of their players the opportunity to put their hand up for selection, and Delahunty said the decision on who to play in the Grand Final would be a hard one.
"The likes of Jake Garvey, Zac Robins and Brayden Ison are all available for selection for the Grand Final," confirmed Delahunty.
"So it will just come down to Thursday, deciding which way we go with them, but those three will all be in consideration.
"It's unfortunate if a player is going to miss out, but at the end of the day, you'd rather be in this position than take in injured players."
Meanwhile, Mills said there will definitely have to be some tough calls made regarding selection for the Ararat side.
"So there could be three or four blokes in contention to come into the side," he said.
"We had a few that were touch and go last week, but we erred on the side of caution, just to try if we could to get through and give them an extra week.
"There will be some tough decisions to make, but it's a good position for us to be in."
Putting their hand up for selection this week are Jack Ganley and Henry Shea, who Mills said will be close to match-ready.
"Jacob Bates is another one," added Mills.
The early prediction for Saturday's weather is 14 degrees, with a less than one per cent chance of 1mm of rain.
But on Friday, Warrack, where the game is being played, could get up to 5mm of rain.
Delahunty said it was a bit hard to trust the weather prediction at the moment, and although he isn't sure what the weather will be like, his side will be able to adapt to it regardless.
Mills laughed that in the last couple of years, there hasn't been a lot of wet weather, but said Ararat did play Southern Mallee last time in Jepait in the wet and got the win, so they could take some confidence from that, and whatever happens, happens, and his side will adapt.
Asked for a moment to dare to dream, Delahunty said it would be great to win the premiership and fantastic for the communities.
But he didn't allow himself to dream for long.
"We just have to worry about playing our brand of footy and not worry about the result too much," he concluded.
For Ararat, though, Mills said the chance to claim another premiership is massive.
"That's the entire reason you play, isn't it?," he prompted.
"It's not just for us players, it's for all the people behind the scenes, committee members, supporters.
"It's a great reward for the club, and that's the goal every year you play footy, so the opportunity is huge."
