WFL SPORT report Demons to have the edge BY DEAN LAWSON orsham will force its way into another Wimmera Football League grand final when it outguns Minyip-Murtoa at Stawell on Saturday.
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The Demons have had it all over the Burras this season and will again prove too strong across the ground for their opponents in a big preliminary-final showdown. There is little doubt Minyip-Murtoa is capable of intense match-winning football but which Minyip-Murtoa will come out to play on Saturday? Will it be the Burras who during a lengthy purple patch during the season stormed to eight wins in a row? Or will it be the Burras whose form trailed off at the tail-end of the season? The Burras’ first semi-final win in wet and windy conditions over Stawell on Sunday failed to reveal much about how the Dunmunkle force was travelling – except perhaps that it had what it takes to defend a position of strength. Horsham on the other hand produced a fightback to get
Wimmera
Preliminary finals At Stawell Seniors: Horsham v Minyip-Murtoa Reserves: Saints v Stawell Under-17s: Saints v Stawell Under-14s: Stawell v Horsham within six points of premiership favourites Horsham Saints in a second semi-final the day before at Nhill’s Davis Park. Many Wimmera fans, perhaps considering the Burras’ topsy-turvy form and the return of Horsham joint coach Nick Pekin from suspension, would have already pencilled in a Demons victory this weekend. They would be unconvinced that Minyip-Murtoa, regardless of the return of Justin Garth and Clinton Midgley from injury, is good enough to match Horsham across every line. That’s what the Burras will need to do to qualify for a longawaited return to grand final action. We should also remember that Horsham, at the finish when taking the foot off the pedal, was more than six goals better than the Burras
BIG MEN BATTLE: Horsham’s Jordyn Burke gets the front spot ahead of Saint Michael Rowe in Saturday’s second semi-final at Nhill. Pictures: WILLAMY IMAGES
Second semi-finals: Seniors, Horsham Saints 9.10 (64) d Horsham 8.10 (58); reserves, Minyip-Murtoa 13.11 (89) d Horsham Saints 10.5 (65); under-17s, Ararat 12.15 (87) d Horsham Saints 8.10 (58) under-14s, Ararat 6.8 (44) d Stawell 4.5 (29). First semi-finals: Seniors, MinyipMurtoa 10.6 (66) d Stawell 2.12 (24); reserves, Stawell 5.7 (37) d Horsham 4.7 (31); under-17s, Stawell 11.3 (69) d Horsham 4.6 (30); under-14s, Horsham 4.6 (30) d Saints 3.0 (18).
in a qualifying final a couple of weeks ago. In that game Horsham was more than 11 goals in front at half time and more than 13 at the last change.
Horsham District
Has much changed?
The return of Garth and Midgley and Mitch Johns has certainly given the Burras’ greater depth and flexibility and coach Jaye Macumber remained confident this week that his team was good enough to cause an upset. “We’re almost back to full strength and believe it or not, we’re actually playing alright,” he said. “Missing key personnel affected how we had been playing and at the end of the season we were trying to implement ball-movement options and a it was a bit of trial and error in the last three games. “We just weren’t quite there and in our last game against Horsham we thought we would be right but were just outplayed. “The players got their confidence back up again last weekend and I absolutely believe we can win. “We have blokes out there who can do it and they must have that belief. What’s great is that our reserves are also through, which means pressure is on for everyone to hold their spots in the team.” Garth had a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an arm injury and Macumber revealed the club had all but ruled him out for the season. “He cut the cast off his arm and said he was right to play so he did. That’s great for us – that a bloke has that much heart and drive and is keen to play finals footy,” he said.
Confidence
ACROSS THE LEAGUES
Minyip-Murtoa kicked five goals against the wind last week to put Stawell out of the contest and, despite a hard slog in the wet after half time, the likes of John Delahunty, Daniel Launer and
Preliminary finals: seniors, Kalkee 18.10 (118) d Harrow-Balmoral 6.9 (45); reserves, Kalkee 15.5 (95) d Noradjuha-Quantong 8.16 (64), under-17s, Noradjuha-Quantong 8.11 (59) d Pimpinio 3.5 (23); under14s, Harrow-Balmoral 7.6 (48) d Kalkee 1.2 (8).
Mininera
IN THE AIR: Minyip-Murtoa’s Warwick Stone shows off some skills over Stawell’s Shane Field. Adam Ross impressed. Luke Chamberlain had greater freedom with Garth and Midgley back in the team, and midfielder Kade Petering continued his good season. Horsham of course would have plenty of confidence that it can overcome the Burras and set up another showdown with Horsham Saints. The Demons lost touch with the Saints in the third quarter at Nhill last week but fought back strongly to send a ‘we ain’t done yet’ message to the league. Joint coach Brad Hartigan said the Demons were obviously disappointed to lose to the Saints but were ready for the next step. “The boys showed that when up and about and playing good footy they they are pretty hard to beat. It’s a matter of bringing the A Grade game to the contest,” he said. “We’ve had a fair old injury list but everyone from last week, apart from Harry Young who had concussion, is fit and ready to go.”
Knee injury
One notable absentee is versatile John Wood, who Hartigan confirmed had seriously injured his knee against Minyip-Murtoa a fortnight ago and would need reconstruction surgery. Horsham is rebounding
strongly from one of the most in-form defending groups in the competition. Rebounding utility Ben Lakin is having a whirlwind season alongside Rhona Conboy and experienced Jeremy Hartigan. A primary focus will be to dampen the impact of the likes of Brayden Ison, Matt Coleman and Kieran Delahunty who could come into their own with a dry football. Minyip-Murtoa, through the middle and in defence, will have to match up strongly on followers Jordyn Burke and in-form Billy Carberry. Warwick Stone and Midgley will have key roles for the Burras.
Pekin to return
The big plus for Horsham is that Pekin will return from suspension and his inclusion is the equivalent of two or three players. Hartigan said the key for the Demons was establishing consistency at a high level throughout the contest. “A quick start and getting the jump is also important,” he said. Horsham team leaders were unsure early in the week about the availability of Billy Lloyd, who despite having North Ballarat Rebels finals commitments, has a break this weekend.
Second semi-finals: Seniors, Tatyoon 13.10 (88) d LismoreDerrinallum 10.12 (72); reserves, Tatyoon 13.10 (88) d LismoreDerrinallum 10.18 (78); under-17s, Penshurst 9.3 (57) d MoystonWillaura 5.4 (34). First semi-finals: Seniors, Penshurst 17.8 (110) d Glenthompson-Dunkeld 6.9 (45); reserves, HawkesdaleMacarthur 14.11 (95) d SMW Rovers 6.3 (39); under-17s, HawkesdaleMacarthur 4.0 (24) d GlenthompsonDunkeld 2.9 (21).
Mallee
Second semi-finals: Sea LakeNandaly Tigers 20.15 (135) d Woomelang-Lascelles 7.8 (50); reserves; Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers 14.7 (91) d Southern Mallee Giants 8.9 (57); under-16s, Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers 9.5 (59) d Woomelang-Lascelles 7.5 (47). First semi-finals: Ouyen United 10.9 (69) d Southern Mallee Giants 7.17 (59); reserves, Walpeup-Underbool 18.13 (121) d Ouyen United 6.2 (38); under-16s, Ouyen United 19.2 (116) d Southern Mallee Giants 5.8 (38).
KNTFL
Second semi-finals: Seniors, Keith 19.9 (123) d Bordertown 8.6 (54); reserves, Penola 11.5 (71) d Naracoorte 9.8 (62); under-17s, Bordertown 15.12 (102) d Naracoorte 2.4 (16); under-14s, Keith 2.7 (19) d Kybybolite 2.0 (12). Seniors, First semi-finals: Padthaway 13.14 (92) d Penola 4.4 (28); reserves, Keith 7.6 (48) d Mundulla 6.10 (46); under-17s, Mundulla 9.9 (63) d PadthawayLucindale 7.9 (51); under-14s, Mundulla 4.7 (31) d Penola 2.1 (13).
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015