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    Mick Spalding with Ararat Football Club's jerseys from the past 150 years. The club will celebrate its 150th on Saturday.
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    DOWN AND DIRTY: Dimboola’s Hayden Walters takes Horsham Saints’ William Miller and the ball to the ground in a tackle during a muddy game at Coughlin Park in Horsham on Saturday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Early finals previews in Wimmera football spotlight

By Abby Walter

Four top-five Wimmera Football Netball League senior football teams will challenge each other this weekend, with Ararat hosting Horsham and Minyip-Murtoa facing Stawell.

Horsham needs a win to keep its finals hopes alive, with Southern Mallee Giants a chance at beating the Demons into the five.

When they last met, Ararat defeated Horsham by 13 points, despite the Demons leading at all quarter breaks.



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Ben Lakin will be one to watch for the Demons, while Jake Robinson has been putting in a consistent effort for Ararat and will likely be a key player again this week.

Minyip-Murtoa and Stawell, sitting second and third respectively, will also come head-to-head in round 17.

It could be anyone’s game, with the Burras coming away to win by one point when the teams played each other in round eight.

In round 16, top-two teams Ararat and Minyip-Murtoa faced off, with the Rats winning by 10 points.

The Burras were off to a slow start and Ararat ensured the home team could not get a goal on the board in the first quarter.

While Minyip-Murtoa gained momentum and got itself back in the game, Ararat was too far in front and despite a tough final quarter for the Rats, the Burras could not close the distance.

Liam Cavanagh and Brody Griffin were strong for Ararat, while Jae McGrath and Will Holmes were key for the Burras.

Southern Mallee Giants got themselves one step closer to a finals berth with a surprise win against Stawell.

The Giants were in the lead all game, with Lou White and Samuel Weddell working hard across the oval.

Jackson Dark had another solid performance for Stawell. Mitch Thorp kicked five of his team’s total nine goals.

Warrack Eagles outplayed Nhill, working hard to create a lead in the second quarter and going on to win by 25 points.

Kyle Cheney and Jake O’Donnell were crucial for the Eagles in taking the win.

Liam Albrecht and Nathan Alexander played well for the Tigers.

Dimboola and Horsham Saints were off to a flying start on Saturday, with 11 goals kicked between the two teams in the first quarter.

The Saints had a narrow one-goal lead at quarter time, but Dimboola flipped a switch to restrict the Saints’ movement and create a lead.

The Saints continued to increase the margin before seven goals from Dimboola in the final term, securing them a 62-point win.

Matthew Combe, with six goals, and Will Brennan were awarded best players for the Saints.

Thomas Cree and Matthew Rosier played hard for the Roos and were instrumental in the win.

In round 17, the Saints have a chance to redeem their loss when they face Warrack Eagles.

Both teams will be hungry to get another win on the board before the season concludes.

A win against Nhill by Southern Mallee Giants could be the boost they need to make it into the top five and after recent performances, they are likely to come out on top.

This week: Ararat v Horsham, Warrack Eagles v Horsham Saints, Stawell v Minyip-Murtoa, Southern Mallee Giants v Nhill at Hopetoun. Dimboola, bye. 

Last week: Dimboola 19.17 (131) d Horsham Saints 10.9 (69), Ararat 9.10 (64) d Minyip-Murtoa 7.12 (54), Southern Mallee Giants 12.9 (81) d Stawell 9.9 (63). Warrack Eagles 12.7 (79) d Nhill 8.6 (54). 

Ladder: Ararat 52 points, 205.58 percent; Minyip-Murtoa 44, 138.15; Stawell 40, 140.12; Dimboola 28, 118.46; Horsham Demons 24, 136.34; Southern Mallee Giants 24, 90.66; Horsham Saints 16, 71.55; Warrack Eagles 12, 57.25; Nhill 4, 46.89. 

The entire August 10, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!