Sport
14 August, 2025
Thunder's four-quarter masterclass
Southern Mallee recorded a commanding victory over Nhill on Saturday, almost doubling their final score.
The result was Nhill 9.8 (62), beaten convincingly by the Thunder 18.15 (123).
The Thunder held the lead at each break, in front by a goal, 23 points and 44 respectively.
Better players were Darcy Honeyman and Xavier Bone (Nhill) and Lou White and Sam White (Thunder).
For Nhill Bone and Kobe Hodges each contributed three goals, but Sam White, from the Thunder, was the highest goal scorer with five majors.
Last time the sides met, Nhill beat the Thunder by 16 points, and the coach of Southern Mallee, Kieran Delahunty, said it was good to be able to turn the tables this time.
"We came out with good intensity, and it was good to put a four-quarter performance together," he said.
While there has been much speculation among fans in the league about how good the Thunder can be at full potential with their lineup, and so much so, they could be the only side able to take it to Ararat, the dominating win on Saturday even caught Delahunty off guard.
"I hadn't taken too much notice during the game; we just chipped away at it," Delahunty admitted.
"But to the credit of our guys, we played a full four-quarter effort, which is something that has taken us a little while to do this year."
The coach credited all 21 players for their efforts and said this allowed them to claim the four points.
"It was one of those games, as cliché as it sounds, we literally had 21 contributors, and that was probably the most pleasing thing for us," he said.
"Looking at the best players though, the White boys were good, Brayden Ison did a good job down back and Coleman Schache was good as well."
All in all, it was a pleasing win at an important time of the year.
"When you have a lot of changes each week, and guys that are new, it takes time to gel, but I think we are starting to find form at the right time of year," Delahunty said.
Final score, Thunder - 18.15 (123) def. Tigers - 9.8 (62)
Best, Thunder - Sam White, Lou White, Jarrod Stokes, Brayden Ison, Tommy Clarke, Reece Groves.
Tigers - Darcy Honeyman, Xavier Bone, Daniel Batson, Kobe Hodges, Jake Harrap, Jarryd Dahlenburg
The Reserves were left to rue a slow start in their clash with the Tigers, with the visitors jumping out to a 5.4 (34) to 1.0 (6) lead by quarter time.
The second term saw Thunder find their groove, winning the quarter and trimming the margin thanks to improved ball movement and pressure around the contest.
Declan Brown was in brilliant touch, slotting three goals for the match and earning best on ground honours.
At the main break, Thunder trailed 8.6 (54) to 4.2 (26), well and truly back in the contest.
However, the Tigers tightened the screws in the third quarter, keeping Thunder goalless and extending their lead to 39 points at the final change.
Despite the scoreboard pressure, Liam Preston - celebrating his 100th club game - was a standout off half back, providing run and drive.
Jason Box and Ben McGee worked tirelessly in the clinches, while Jaime Eckermann and Tristan Glare stood tall in defence.
Veterans Taylor Donnan and Mick Saunders returned to bolster the side and each hit the scoreboard, along with debutant Josh Marshman who slotted his first in Thunder colours.
In the end, the Tigers proved too strong, running out 13.8 (86) to 6.5 (41) winners.
With two games left in the season, Thunder face a tough assignment against the Demons this week before finishing with a home clash against Dimboola, aiming to replicate their earlier season success.
Final score, Tigers - 13.8 (86) def. Thunder - 6.5 (41).
Best, Tigers - Glen Saniong, Darcy Alexander, Ben Pollock, Connor Jones, Austin Merrett, Jack Mason.
Thunder - Declan Brown, Liam Preston, Jason Box, Ben McGee, Jaime Eckermann, Tristan Glare.
Southern Mallee Thunder’s Under 17s faced a tough assignment in Round 16, taking on the Nhill Tigers, who came out firing from the first bounce.
Nhill’s accuracy in front of goal saw them post 4.4 in the opening term, while Thunder managed just two behinds, leaving them with plenty of work to do.
Parker Gould set the tone for Thunder with some strong tackling, and early in the second quarter, their efforts in the middle began to pay off.
Quick centre clearances led to Parker Hallam kicking Thunder’s first major, before a composed finish from Fletcher Keller added a second.
The backline, led by Spencer Williams and Zander Eckermann, worked tirelessly to repel repeat Tiger entries, but Nhill still extended their lead to 7.6 (48) to 2.5 (17) at the main break.
The third quarter proved decisive, with Nhill piling on further scoreboard pressure and keeping Thunder goalless.
Despite the relentless attack, Jakob Southern and Flynn Hutson stood tall under pressure in defence.
At the final change, the scoreboard read 9.10 (64) to 2.7 (19).
The Thunder midfield lifted in the last quarter, creating more opportunities and stemming Nhill’s dominance.
Max Spokes snapped an early goal, while Will Fisher and Oliver Credlin kept driving the ball forward.
Ryder Gould was again a consistent contributor, but the Tigers proved too strong, running out 51 point winners.
Final score, Tigers - 11.12 (78) def. Thunder - 3.9 (27)
Best, Tigers - Andrew Klee, Cooper Gebert, Jobe Dickinson, Mitchell McFarlane, Charlie Bell, Rylan Schneider.
Thunder - Spencer Williams, Zander Eckermann, Ryder Gould, Fletcher Keller, Will Fisher, Parker Hallam.
The Southern Mallee Thunder Under 14s hosted the Nhill Tigers at Hopetoun in what was a tight, hard fought contest early.
Thunder started strongly, with plenty of the ball and a defensive unit that was repelling almost everything Nhill threw at them.
At quarter time, the scoreboard reflected the even nature of the game - Nhill 1.1 to Thunder, no score.
The second quarter followed a similar script, with Thunder’s backline holding firm under increasing pressure.
While they continued to defence valiantly. Nhill began finding a way through, adding a couple of goals to stretch their lead.
At the main break, it was Nhill 3.5 to Thunder 0.0.
At halftime, the Thunder set themselves a simple but determined goal - to get on the scoreboard in the third quarter.
Some positional changes followed, and although Nhill also lifted their intensity, Thunder produced a brilliant passage of play that brought the home crowd to life.
Charlie Williams kicked out from full back, followed the chain of play all the way down the ground, and was on the end of a pass inside the forward 50 to slot a superb goal.
In the final term, the Thunder again shuffled their line-up, opening up the game but also giving Nhill more scoring opportunities.
The visitors capitalized, running away to record a 10.10 (70) to 1.0 (6) win.
There were plenty of positives for Thunder, with Bella Spokes again excelling in her versatile utility role.
Ned Jones was a wall in defence, intercepting numerous Nhill attacks from his back pocket.
Edison Stasinowsky competed strongly in the ruck, while Isaac Credlin’s relentless endeavour stood out across four quarters.
Lawrence McIntosh was superb in defence and impressed in his first run as an onballer, showing he could adapt to multiple roles.
While Nhill pulled away late, the Thunder’s ability to match it with them for much of the first half and achieve their scoring goal was a sign of continued growth for the young side.
Final score, Tigers - 10.10 (70) def. Thunder - 1.0 (6)
Best, Tigers - Ah Nee Nwe, Lenny Shurdington, Parker Rabone, Klow Kwae Doh Htoo, Tyler Wise, Darcy Borgelt.
Thunder - Lawrenz McIntosh, Isaac Credlin, Edison Stasinowsky, Ned Jones, Bella Spokes, Charlie Williams