Football
15 May, 2025
Thunder coach praises 'cohesive' game
Southern Mallee Thunder claimed a decisive victory over Minyip Murtoa in their senior clash on Saturday, proving they have what it takes to challenge for a finals berth again in 2025.
Despite the Burras still holding bragging rights on the ladder, it was Thunder who took the points, delivering a well-rounded and relentless performance from start to finish.
The Thunder set the tone early, jumping out to a 4.2 (26) to 1.2 (8) lead by the first break, leaving the Burras playing catch-up.
Their aggressive start saw them extend the lead to 18 points at quarter-time, 25 points at half-time, and 22 points heading into the final quarter.
A dominant last term saw Thunder pull away to seal the game by a commanding 43 points, a margin that reflected the consistency and pressure across four quarters.
Kai Sheers was a standout up forward, kicking four goals to continue his rich vein of form, while Oscar Knight led the way for the Burras with three majors.
Thunder Coach Kieran Delahunty praised his side’s cohesive effort, noting the win was built on balanced contributions and intense pressure.
“I thought it was an even four-quarter performance from everyone in the side,” Delahunty said.
“Minyip Murtoa threw a number of challenges at us, but the pleasing thing was that we were able to swing that momentum every time it was thrown at us.
"I couldn’t single out any particular group because it was an even performance .”
Thunder’s midfield and forward line worked seamlessly together, with Billy Lloyd proving relentless around the contest and Brad Stokes playing a crucial role in maintaining pressure.
Jackson Fisher made a blistering start in his first game of the 2025 season, while Rupert Sangster was lively and Harry McLeod clinical in his execution.
With the win, the Thunder have made a statement that they can take it up to the league’s frontrunners, while the Burras will need to regroup after struggling to match Thunder’s intensity.
Best players for the Burras included Luke Fisher and Timothy Mackenzie, who fought hard to keep their side in the contest.
The Thunder will look to build on this performance as they head into their biggest challenge when they meet grand final foes Ararat this Saturday.
"They are obviously down at their ground, and they play there well," Delahunty said.
"I think what we know about Ararat is they are a skillful side, they are good runners, so I expect there would be nothing different there.
"We love coming up against them and the challenge it brings, and I am looking forward to giving it our best shot."
Delahunty said his side needs to bring the same intensity and pressure that they utilised in their game against Minyip Murtoa early on.
"We need to create as many turnovers as possible; if you let them do what they want with the footy, they are going to really hurt you," he said.
Final score: Thunder 18.9 (117) d Burras 11.8 (74)
Best: Thunder – Brad Stokes, Billy Lloyd, Jackson Fisher, Kai Sheers, Rupert Sangster, Harry McLeod; Burras – Tim McKenzie, Luke Fisher, Dusty Cross, Ben McIntyre, Tim McIntyre, Kade
Petering
Reserves
It was a picture-perfect day for football as the Thunder reserves took on the Burras, with both sides battling for a top-three spot on the ladder.
Despite their best efforts, the Thunder couldn’t overcome the Burras’ early lead, ultimately going down by 23 points.
The Burras set the tone from the outset, using their physical presence and intensity around the contest to jump to an early advantage.
By the first break, they had established a 12-point lead, and while Thunder managed to keep themselves in the game, the Burras’ perceived pressure proved costly.
Despite having more scoring shots, the Thunder struggled to capitalise, with wasted opportunities in front of goal hindering their ability to close the gap.
Heading into half-time, the Burras extended their lead to 14 points, and by three-quarter-time, they were 25 points ahead.
Though Thunder’s efforts were tireless, every time they looked to reduce the margin the Burras had a response, maintaining control in a fiercely contested match.
One of the standout performers for Thunder was Xavier Oakley, whose hard work and accuracy in front of the goal kept his team within striking distance.
Oakley’s five goals were a highlight, showcasing his ability to make an impact despite the challenging contest.
Cody Frankel, fresh from the senior side, showed his leadership, while Digby Sangster, playing his second game for Thunder, impressed with his work rate.
Dean Perkins also played a key role, while centreman Jake Parry and centre half-back Jonty Bellinger held their own in the midfield and defensive line, respectively.
While the loss means the Burras now sit two games clear of Thunder and the rest of the competition, the fight shown by the Thunder reserves remains promising.
The team will now regroup and set their sights on another challenge as they travel to Ararat for their next encounter, determined to bounce back and solidify their place in the top three.
Final score: Burras 13.3 (81) d Thunder 8.10 (58)
Best: Burras – Jamie Whitehead, Zac Leith, Broughton McIntyre, Aaron Leith, Rhys Pidgeon, Jack Sapuppo; Thunder – Xavier Oakley, Digby Sangster, Dean Perkins, Cody Frankel, Jake Parry, Jonty Bellinger
Under 17s
The under-17s have continued their blistering start to the 2025 season, securing their third consecutive win in dominant fashion against the Minyip Murtoa Burras.
The Thunder showcased their depth and class, enforcing the mercy rule partway through the third quarter.
From the first bounce, it was evident that the home side was in control, establishing a 28-point lead by the first break.
The midfield brigade of Will Fisher, Lenny Weir, and Jackson Moore were relentless, their elite ball movement and tackling pressure proving too much for the Burras to handle.
Spencer Williams continued his outstanding run of form, consistently finding the footy and setting up attacking plays, while Dustin Eckermann and Ryder Gould also featured prominently among the best players.
By half-time, the Thunder had surged to a 60-point lead, leaving the Burras struggling to gain any traction.
The Thunder forwards were on fire, with Ryder Gould, Max Spokes, Parker Gould, and Parker Hallam all hitting the scoreboard multiple times.
Adding to the tally were Jasper Bigham, Dusty Eckermann, Will Fisher, and Max Roberts, who each slotted a goal to underline the team’s balanced offensive effort.
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, the spirit of community footy shone through, as several Thunder players donned the Burras guernsey to help even the numbers.
Fletcher Keller, Spencer Williams, Zander Eckermann, Jakob Souther, Jasper Bigham, and Flynn Hutson all had a run in the opposing strip, showcasing the sportsmanship that the club loves to see in our junior players.
With three wins from three outings, the under-17s are firmly entrenched in second place on the ladder and will be looking to solidify their position when they take on the third-placed Ararat later this week.
As they continue to impress with their fast-paced and disciplined brand of footy, the under-17s will remain one of the teams to watch this season.
Final score: Thunder 11.6 (72) d Burras 0.0 (0)
Best: Thunder – Will Fisher, Lenny Weir, Jackson Moore, Spencer Williams, Dustin Eckermann, Ryder Gould, Parker Hallam, Caleb Heinrich; Burras – Finnian Delahunty, Ryder Hudson, Lewis Thomson, Logan Liao, Anthony McCurdy, Oliver Barker
Under 14
The Southern Mallee Thunder under 14s have secured their first win of the season with an impressive performance against fellow winless side Minyip Murtoa Burras at the weekend.
Both teams came into the clash desperate to get on the board in 2025, and it was the Thunder who struck first with the opening goal of the match.
However, the Burras responded quickly, squaring things up by quarter time with both sides locked at one goal apiece.
The second quarter saw the Thunder gain the upper hand, dominating field position and surging forward repeatedly.
Despite some inaccurate kicking and a packed forward line limiting their scoreboard impact, the Thunder took a 14-point lead into the main break.
Bella Spokes was proving a constant threat deep in attack, creating plenty of opportunities and keeping the Burras' defence under pressure.
After half-time, the Thunder finally made their dominance count, straightening up and piling on six goals in a more open and polished second half.
The victory was a result of an excellent team performance, with a great mix of contributions from seasoned players and first-years alike.
Colt Decker and Charlie Williams were outstanding at stoppages, combining well to give the Thunder midfield a real edge.
Ned Jones and Edison Stasinowsky showcased their ability to read the play at both ends of the ground, helping turn defence into attack on multiple occasions.
Up forward, Finn Shannon made his mark with two important second-half goals, while Hugo Gould was unstoppable, booting four majors in a best-on-ground display that capped off the Thunder’s best outing of the season so far.
With the win now under their belts, the Thunder will be looking to take improved confidence into what will be a challenging few games ahead.
Final score: Thunder 9.13 (67) d Burras 3.0 (18)
Best: Thunder – Hugo Gould, Colt Decker, Charlie Williams, Bella Spokes, Ned Jones, Finn Shannon, Edison Stasinowsky; Burras – Harry Noonan, Ethan Maher, Luke Sudholz, Braxton Starick, Judd Thomson, Cooper Shaw
Other awards
Under 11s: Nate Clugston, Tanner Bigham
Auskick: Eli Simpson, Henry Fisher, Freddie Warren
– CONTRIBUTED – with ZOEY ANDREWS