A grand final rematch between Harrow-Balmoral and Noradjuha-Quantong looms this weekend after a lopsided opening round of Horsham District senior football action on Saturday.

Both the Roos and Bombers had comfortable victories over Kaniva-Leeor United and Swifts respectively, while no game was decided by fewer than 37 points in round one.

Harrow-Balmoral got its quest for a fourth-straight senior flag underway at Kaniva Recreation Reserve.

The home side had much of the early play and kicked the first goal through Lachlan Bates, but the Roos recorded the next seven scoring shots in a row to lead by 15 at quarter time.

With captain Will Burbury shining in the middle and coach Jai Thompson, four goals, making himself dangerous up forward, the visitors increased their advantage to 19 points at the long break and 25 at the final change, before running out with an 11.15 (81) to 6.8 (44) victory.

Michael Close was influential as a high half-forward, helping set up numerous scoring opportunities.

For the Cougars, wingman Lochlyn Hahne and half-backs Jock Maddern and Willis Stimson led the way, while last season’s league-leading goal kicker Jacob Eats was held to a single major.

Noradjuha-Quantong wasted no time asserting itself in a home game against the Baggies, jumping to a 36-point lead at quarter time and cantering to a 12.15 (87) to 6.4 (40) win.

While key forward Judah Hobbs was a focal point for the Bombers with four majors, the team had eight individual goal scorers in a display of versatility, while defender Wade Francis was named best afield.

The Baggies, featuring a new-look line-up in 2026, were led by a familiar face in two-time league best-and-fairest winner Scott Carey, with captain Liam Scott also prominent and Will Wickham kicking two goals from a wing.

Natimuk United made its intentions of forcing its way into this season’s finals conversation clear with a 12.15 (87) to 4.4 (28) win against Rupanyup on the road.

The Rams trailed by 10 points at quarter time but kept the Panthers goalless for the rest of the game as star ruck recruit Henry Gould came to the fore and defenders Jacob Medwell and Zach Smith helped stifle the Panthers’ forwards.

Natimuk United was another team to spread the wealth in attack with eight goal scorers, led by Adrianne Lupton’s three, with two each to coach Jarred Combe and his assistant Billy Taylor.

Back pocket Daniel Schaper and onballer Jimmy Finnigan were the Panthers’ best.

The biggest win of the round went to Pimpinio, which downed 2025 wooden spooner Edenhope-Apsley 19.18 (132) to 3.3 (21) at Pimpinio.

The Tigers led by a modest five points at the first change but conceded only three behinds for the remainder of the game as forwards Nick Groves and Freddy Frew kicked 10 goals between them, with youngster Link Smith and Noah Jacobsen also impressing.

Flynn Loft and veteran Jeremy ‘Jerry’ Kealy were the Saints’ best players.

At Dock Lake Reserve, Laharum also got its season off on the right foot with a 12.15 (87) to 8.2 (50) win against home side Taylors Lake.

In a recurring theme for the round the winning team started slowly, trailing by two points at quarter time before dominating the rest of the match.

Recruit Jack Fenner slotted in seamlessly at full forward for Laharum, kicking eight goals and benefitting from the strong work of midfielders Daniel Easson and Monty Wynne, while Brodie Mines was lively in a forward pocket and Todd Heynen excelled at half back.

Jude Poyser showed himself to be a valuable recruit for the Lakers with two goals off a wing, with another pick-up, Dylan Bates, also getting involved.

While Saturday’s grand final rematch between the Roos and Bombers at Harrow Recreation Reserve will headline round two, there is plenty at stake for the league’s other sides.

Natimuk United will host Kaniva-Leeor United as the Cougars attempt to bounce back, with Edenhope-Apsley and Rupanyup both keen to post their first wins when they meet at Edenhope.

Laharum will host Pimpinio in a match-up that has yielded multiple encounters in the past few seasons, while Kalkee will play its first game of the season at home against Taylors Lake.

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