United’s senior footballers are ready to earn the respect of their peers as they embark on their first finals campaign since joining the Horsham District league in 2021.
The Cougars have finished among the bottom three teams on the ladder each season since joining the league, compiling records of 3-13 in 2022, 5-11 in 2023 and 4-12 last year after their debut season in 2021 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this season has been a different story, with a strong recruiting drive coupled with internal development earning the team a 10-6 record and a long-awaited finals berth.
Co-coach Jonno Hicks said 2025 had marked ‘a big step forward’.
“There’s lots of guys who have really stepped up and developed as the year has gone on. There’s been improvement across the board, which has been great,” he said.
“We’re still really young. We’ve got a long way to go and it’s nice to know there’s plenty still to work on.
“We’ll keep chipping away.”
for Cougars
The Cougars have been one of the in-form teams during the second half of the season, going 7-2 in their final nine games after an up-anddown start to the year.
The team’s biggest distinction was a one-point win over minor premier Noradjuha-Quantong in round 11, making it the only side to beat the Bombers this year.
Aiding the turnaround were midseason recruits Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton, adding skill to an onball unit led by star ruckman Hamish Bennett.
The Cougars’ resurgent midfield has resulted in plenty of opportunities for the league’s leading goalkicker Jacob Eats, who booted 74 majors in the home-and-away season to finish 14 goals clear atop the table.
Eats and his brother Lochie, who kicked 33 goals, are two more key additions for Kaniva-Leeor this season, taking up leadership positions during the summer – Jacob as cocoach alongside Hicks, and Lochie as vice-captain.
Hicks said he had been impressed with his team’s improvement during the year.
“We had some games at the start of the year where we thought we were around the mark and didn’t quite
execute as well as we could have,” he said.
“Obviously picking up Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton in the middle of the year has been fantastic, but the rest of the group has lifted too.
“We were developing even without those guys, but to have two quality midfielders and quality people join the team has made a big difference.”
But despite his team’s strong run of recent form, Hicks warned finals success was no certainty, with Sun day’s elimination final opponent, Laharum, having dealt the Cougars their largest loss this season.
“In the middle of the year, finals were a bit of a dream, so our finish has been really strong. We’re hoping to carry that form in,” he said.
“Laharum is a really well-coached side. They set up really well defen sively, so it will be a really big task for us.
“I don’t know how the rest of the teams rate us. I think we’ve prob ably gone about it the hard way our first few years in the league.
“We haven’t been that competi tive and I don’t think we’ve really earned the respect of our opposition yet, but maybe this year we’re tak ing some steps towards that.”
Players to watch
Jacob Eats
The Cougars’ success in the finals could be dictated by how many goals Eats is able to kick. The key forward topped the league leaderboard with 74 majors this season, with bags of five or more goals on seven occasions. The co-coach and his brother Lochie have both recommitted to the Cougars for next year, giving the team a boost.
Hamish Bennett
A long-term stalwart for Kaniva-Leeor, Bennett has continued to build his reputation as one of the league’s top ruck practitioners, being named among the best players on an equal-team-high nine occasions this year. Bennett will face a big task in Sunday’s elimination final against Laharum’s Shannon Argall.
Tyler Roos
The son of Tammy Roos and AFL great Paul, Tyler has been a stellar mid-season acquisition for the Cougars. Slotting straight into the midfield, Roos has hardly missed a beat since debuting in round nine. He has also shown an ability to hit the scoreboard, kicking six goals in eight games.
Blake Dodson
Dodson earned plaudits from co-coach Jonno Hicks as one of the Cougars’ leaders in the back line. Playing off a half-back flank, Dodson has enjoyed a strong season after returning to the club following a five-year stint in the Adelaide Footy League.
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Laharum’s road to the finals
Coaches: Shannon Argall, Robbie Miller
Round 1: W. 13.16 (94) d Kalkee 3.8 (26). Home.
Round 2: L. 8.15 (63) to Harrow-Balmoral 13.9 (87). Away.
Round 3: L. 11.12 (78) to Pimpinio 12.11 (83). Home.
Round 4: W. 12.14 (86) d Swifts 8.12 (60). Away.
Round 5: W. 20.8 (128) d Kaniva-Leeor United 7.4 (46). Home.
Round 6: L. 6.3 (39) to Noradjuha-Quantong 9.9 (63). Away.**
Round 7: W. 31.18 (204) d Rupanyup 2.1 (13). Home.*
Round 8: W. 15.13 (103) d Natimuk United 7.6 (48). Away.
Round 9: W. 16.12 (108) d Edenhope-Apsley 4.6 (30). Home.
Round 10: W. 25.15 (165) d Taylors Lake 4.4 (28). Away. Round 11: Bye.
Round 12: L. 6.8 (44) to Harrow-Balmoral 12.12 (84). Home.
Round 13: W. 18.9 (117) d Kalkee 5.5 (35). Away.
Round 14: L. 8.7 (55) to Pimpinio 13.11 (89). Away.
Round 15: W. 10.6 (66) d Swifts 6.1 (37). Home.
Round 16: Bye.
Round 17: L. 9.6 (60) to Noradjuha-Quantong 15.9 (99). Home.
Round 18: W. 16.20 (116) d Rupanyup 2.5 (17). Away. * Highest score. ** Lowest score.
Good luck to all our football & netball teams representing the LFNC in finals 2025!
Anything is
fter bowing out of last season’s final race in the first week, Laharum has waited 12 months for
In 2025 the Demons find themselves in another elimination final, this time against upstart Kaniva-Leeor United. But co-coach Shannon Argall said this year’s team was more well-rounded than the 2024 squad, adding offensive potency to a well-structured defence that has become the Demons’ calling
“We’ve had a much bigger focus on our ball use, particularly in offence this year,”
“The foundations of our defence are really settled and ingrained from the last couple of years, but we knew this year that if we were going to make inroads that we needed to kick more goals, and that required adjustments in the way we played. “That’s reflected in our percentage.
Laharum Football Netball Club would like to thank all sponsors and club members for their tremendous support this year!
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Good luck to all Laharum football and netball teams playing in finals
“We’ve had some really good wins and we’ve had some tight losses against sides that are above us on the ladder.
“If we put it all together and we’ve got a full, healthy playing list, anything is possible.”
Health has been a key variable for Laharum this season, with the Demons battling a lengthy injury list at times during the year.
But with co-coach Robbie Miller returning to full fitness, wingman Pat Latanzio and defender Will Miller back in the line-up and recruit Brodie Mines nearing a comeback after a month on the sidelines, Argall said the side was approaching full strength at the right time of the year.
“We had a really tough six or eight weeks through the middle of the season where we had up to seven players out,” Argall said.
“We’ve been lucky enough that we’ve been able to rest and manage them and provide recovery opportunities for those players.”
Despite the injuries, Laharum has been buoyed this season by the emergence of players like Chase Whelan.
The teenager, who also plays for the club’s under-17 side, has been a dynamo in 2025, finishing in the top 10 in league goal-kicking despite playing just eight matches.
An onball unit featuring Argall ruck-
ing to the likes of Miller, Daniel Easson and Reuben Launder will have its hands full against an equally dangerous Kaniva-Leeor United midfield, but Argall said the hurdles the Demons had already overcome would hold them in good stead as they sought to improve on last season’s finish.
And whatever the outcome of Laharum’s finals campaign, Argall said the club had enjoyed a successful year.
“As a club I think it’s important for us to reflect on and appreciate that we’re leading into a finals series with all four football sides in the finals,” he said.
“To go from two years ago when we had a winless year in the seniors and talks of mergers, there’s been a hell of a lot of groundwork to get us to this point from the board, the volunteers and the playing group.
“It’s really exciting to see all four grades playing finals, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”
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Players to watch
Chase Whelan
With commitments in the Laharum juniors and a Victorian team that won a gold medal at the School Sport Australia football tournament, Whelan has played sparingly for the senior side this season. But when he has, the teenager has set tongues wagging, with 36 goals in just eight games, including nine against Rupanyup in round seven.
Phil Butsch
While Whelan and Brodie Mines have been Laharum’s top goal-scorers this season, Butsch provides a vital third option. The veteran has achieved plenty in football, having won the Toohey Medal as the Wimmera league’s senior best-and-fairest in 2012, but he remains hungry for success.
Monty Wynne
With the nickname ‘Silk’ the youngster earned plaudits from co-coach Shannon Argall as a potential finals X-factor. Crossing to the Horsham Demons when Laharum was unable to field an under-17 side two years ago, Wynne has returned to Cameron Oval to great effect in 2025.
Robbie Miller
The co-coach remains a game-breaker for Laharum, playing onball but with the ability to push forward and kick valuable goals. His battle against Kaniva-Leeor United midfielder Tyler Roos will be engrossing. Miller has been reappointed senior coach at Laharum in 2026 – set to be the standalone coach after Argall decided to step down.
Daniel Easson
New-look outfit
Coach: Guy Smith
Round 1: W. 21.13 (139) d Edenhope-Apsley 6.5 (41). Away.*
Round 2: W. 16.15 (111) d Taylors Lake 10.11 (71). Home.
Round 3: W. 12.11 (83) d Laharum 11.12 (78). Away.
Round 4: W. 11.11 (77) d Kalkee 11.7 (73). Home.
Round 5: L. 7.11 (53) to Harrow-Balmoral 11.9 (75). Away.
Round 6: Bye.
Round 7: W. 9.8 (62) d Swifts 6.9 (45). Home.
Round 8: L. 8.6 (54) to Kaniva-Leeor United 21.17 (143). Away.
Round 9: L. 3.3 (21) to Noradjuha-Quantong 7.13 (55). Home.**
Round 10: W. 14.13 (97) d Rupanyup 9.10 (64). Away.
Round 11: W. 15.9 (99) d Natimuk United 7.9 (51). Home.
Round 12: W. 13.10 (88) d Taylors Lake 12.8 (80). Away.
Round 13: W. 17.11 (113) d Edenhope-Apsley 7.4 (44). Home.
Round 14: W. 13.11 (89) d Laharum 8.7 (55). Home.
Round 15: W. 7.6 (48) d Kalkee 5.6 (36). Away.
Round 16: L. 12.4 (76) to Harrow-Balmoral 21.14 (140). Home.
Round 17: Bye.
Round 18: L. 12.13 (85) to Swifts 17.7 (109). Away.
Nick Groves 37, Thomas O’Dwyer 32, Jason Westley 18, Dylan Bates 16, Cullen Williams 15.
Horsham Tyre & Battery Service
impinio entered last year’s Horsham District Football Netball League finals with a huge weight
The Tigers had gone 15 years without a finals appearance – and 17 years without a finals win – but broke through for a stirring 16-point elimination final win before falling to Noradjuha-Quantong
Coach Guy Smith said while last year’s finals campaign had been an emotional rollercoaster for the club, this year’s outfit entered more grounded and, crucially, was in a better position for a deep finals push.
“We’re a different balance now. That finals hoodoo is off our back,” he said.
“We’re very different from last year. Our side is a bit of a new-look side.
“We’ve had some new players come into the club, which has balanced things
Link Smith, Dylan Bates, Jason Westley and Tom Arthur
HDFNL FiNaLs
in for long haul
“We’re always pretty confident, and whenever we come up against teams where our back is against the wall, we don’t drop our heads and lose the plot anymore.
“We know how to find a way and actually win some of those games where we’re put under pressure.”
Among the new players giving Pimpinio a boost this season is forward Tom O’Dwyer, who has given the team an added dimension in attack alongside last season’s leading goal-scorer Nick Groves.
Other key pickups for the Tigers this season have been utility Cullen Williams and ruckman Matt Healy.
But while Smith said his team’s depth was the best it had been in years at the start of this season, the Tigers have needed every bit of it to propel them to a top-three finish.
“It’s funny – our senior side has been a revolving door pretty much all year and in no game have we ever played with our full list,” he said.
“In our last home-and-away game against Swifts we had our full side on the park for the first time all year, so we’re actually in a good spot coming into the finals.
“Hopefully we can keep that full list and finish the year off strongly.”
While Pimpinio’s recruits have added to an already potent team from last
year, Smith said the Tigers would look to ‘the usual suspects’ – senior leaders Matt Rosier, brothers Adam and Jason Westley and Brock Ham erston – to lead them to further finals success.
Every bit of those players’ experience will be required if the team is to upset two-time reigning premier HarrowBalmoral in a qualifying final this weekend, with the Roos having beaten Pimpinio by 22 points in round five and 64 in round 16.
But Smith said his team was up for the fight.
“Our expectations are to win every final,” he said.
“We’ve worked really hard and we’ve been focused right from the word go at the start of the year.
“Ladder positioning is super im portant and thankfully we’ve been able to get ourselves into a position where we’ve got a double chance, so we know we’ll be in the finals for the long haul, which is good.”
Players to watch
Matt Rosier
Rosier has set the standard in the Pimpinio midfield since crossing from the Wimmera league’s Dimboola more than two years ago. His superb ball use and hard running place him among the upper echelon of midfielders in the Horsham District competition.
Tom O’Dwyer
While Nick Groves was tremendous for Pimpinio last season, booting 48 goals, the Tigers could sometimes be overly reliant on his production to kick a winning score. O’Dwyer added another potent element to the team’s forward line, kicking 32 goals to go along with Groves’ 37 and only going goalless once this season.
The Westley brothers
A two-for-one special, brothers Jason and Adam excel across the ground. Captain Jason leads the team by example with his attack on the ball in the midfield and is always a threat to hit the scoreboard, kicking 18 goals in 13 games this season. Meanwhile Adam has been one of the team’s most consistent players, being named in the best players in 10 of his 16 matches.
Matt Healy
In his first season at the Tigers after crossing from Swifts, the ruckman has been an excellent addition to a dangerous onball unit. Healy can often be a barometer for Pimpinio – when on his game, he gives the Tigers a big advantage.
Tom O’Dwyer and Adam Westley
Coach: Jai Thompson
Round 1: W. 17.12 (114) d Taylors Lake 11.10 (76). Away.
Round 2: W. 13.9 (87) d Laharum 8.15 (63). Home.
Round 3: W. 9.15 (69) d Kalkee 5.4 (34).
Round 4: Bye.
Round 5: W. 11.9 (75) d Pimpinio 7.11 (53). Home.
Round 6: W. 9.8 (62) d Swifts 8.6 (54). Away.
Round 7: W. 8.10 (58) d Kaniva-Leeor United 6.12 (48). Home.
Round 8: L. 8.4 (52) to Noradjuha-Quantong 13.9 (87). Away.**
Round 9: W. 16.17 (113) d Rupanyup 5.3 (33). Home.
Round 10: L. 8.8 (56) to Natimuk United 9.6 (60). Away.
Round 11: W. 28.14 (182) d Edenhope-Apsley 3.3 (21). Home.
Round 12: W. 12.12 (84) d Laharum 6.8 (44). Away.
Round 13: W. 29.21 (195) d Taylors Lake 5.6 (36). Home.*
Round 14: W. 16.11 (107) d Kalkee 6.7 (43). Home.
Round 15: Bye.
Round 16: W. 21.14 (140) d Pimpinio 12.4 (76). Away.
Round 17: W. 14.13 (97) d Swifts 7.10 (52). Home.
Round 18: W. 9.15 (69) d Kaniva-Leeor United 6.7 (43). Away.
Cody Deutscher 32, Ethan Appleton 31, Simon Close 26, Mitchell Grant 23.
Roos ‘breaking
THE ROAD TO QUALITY STARTS HERE
In pursuit of a third-straight Horsham District league premiership, Harrow-Balmoral’s senior football side could be called the ‘Demolition Men’ just as easily as their official moniker of Roos.
Coach Jai Thompson said the theme of the 2025 season for his team had been ‘breaking brick walls’ – a reference to the psychological toughness required to win three flags in a row.
“When you’re going for your first premiership, you’ll do anything to win it – you’ll do extra training sessions, recover well and do everything right,” he said.
“Then it’s about breaking through that brick wall of ‘oh, we’ve already done it so it doesn’t matter if we lose this one’.
“We wanted to try to break that down and pretend like this is our first one.”
Mental fortitude has been required more this season than in either of the past two premiership campaigns.
After going without a loss in 2023 and 2024, Harrow-Balmoral dropped two games this season, succumbing to Noradjuha-Quantong by 35 points in round eight and Natimuk United by four points in round 10.
While those losses – and a series of other too-close-for-comfort results – came while the Roos were missing several key contributors, including
Connor Deutscher
HDFNL F
brothers Simon and Michael Close, forward Cody Deutscher, midfielder Will Plush and Thompson himself, the coach refused to make excuses.
“We obviously had some key components missing, but we think we should still have beaten teams even without those guys,” he said.
“It’s a learning experience for those other players who got to stand up and play some different positions, and we learned a lot about our team through that period.”
Among the players to lead HarrowBalmoral through its difficult patch were Peter Staude, who shouldered even more midfield responsibilities, while small forwards Mitch Grant and Ethan Appleton applied constant pressure.
Connor Deutscher started the season at full-back before being moved forward to cover for the Roos’ injuries, kicking 11 goals before returning to the back line.
“To lose those couple of games took that monkey off the back and relieved a bit of pressure. The guys are playing good footy with a bit of freedom,” Thompson said.
“We’ve started getting our ball movement right and our defensive work right, mostly from the vision we watched from the games we did lose where we didn’t have our experienced players in there.”
With his team nearing full strength following a difficult year, Thompson said the Roos were well placed entering finals.
“Most of the teams in the finals are fast-paced, hard-running teams who like to get on the outside, so we’ve got to try to squeeze teams up, win the con tested footy, which we’re really good at, and give our forwards some good looks,” he said.
“If we can be really good in tight and then try to get the ball on the outside for us and get it down to them as quickly as we can and we lock it in our forward line, I think we can really put some heavy scores on some teams.”
But while the Roos are finding form at the right time of the season, brick walls remain to be broken in the finals.
Thompson said his side was ready for the challenge.
“Three premierships in a row is not something that we’ve belted down that we need to win,” he said.
“But it’s a long way back to get to this opportunity again, and that’s something we have spoken about.
“You either go for your third now while you’ve got the two in the bag, or you have to start all over again.
We’re looking forward to a good finals series.”
Harrow-Balmoral
Roos
brick walls’ Players to watch
Anthony Close
The captain of the Roos will be a key to their chances for a third successive flag. Close shouldered the bulk of the ruck duties in the past two years, but the emergence of Noah Hildebrand has allowed Close to play more as a forward this season, where he often draws the opposition’s third defender.
Peter Staude
Unlucky not to win best-afield honours in last season’s grand final triumph, Staude is a contested ball beast and sets the tone for the Harrow-Balmoral midfield. Coach Jai Thompson believes Staude has taken his game to a new level this year, standing up to lead the team amid a raft of injuries.
Connor Deutscher
While Cody Deutscher has emerged as one of the competition’s best half-forwards in the past two seasons, his brother has played a less heralded but no less important role. Thrown forward mid-season, Connor has returned to his customary position at full-back and will take the opposition’s best key forward.
Ethan Appleton
Appleton has, along with Mitch Grant, been a vital piece of the puzzle for the Roos this season as a pressure forward, helping to lock the ball in the forward line. He kicked 31 goals, placing him second on the team.
HARROW-BALMORAL
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Jai Thompson
(40). Home.
Round 3: W. 18.16 (124) d Natimuk United 11.8 (74). Away.
Round 4: W. 22.22 (154) d Edenhope-Apsley 7.7 (49). Home.
Round 5: W. 23.17 (155) d Taylors Lake 6.5 (41). Away.
Round 6: W. 9.9 (63) d Laharum 6.3 (39). Home.
Round 7: W. 20.15 (135) d Kalkee 5.3 (33). Away.
Round 8: W. 13.9 (87) d Harrow-Balmoral 8.4 (52). Home.
Round 9: W. 7.13 (55) d Pimpinio 3.3 (21). Away.**
Round 10: W. 24.18 (162) d Swifts 2.6 (18). Home.
Round 11: L. 8.12 (60) to Kaniva-Leeor United 9.7 (61). Away.
Round 12: W. 16.16 (112) d Rupanyup 4.2 (26). Away. Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: W. 12.13 (85) d Natimuk United 6.3 (39). Home.
Round 15: W. 29.17 (191) d Edenhope-Apsley 4.1 (25). Away.
Round 16: W. 30.15 (195) d Taylors Lake 4.4 (28) Home.
Round 17: W. 15.9 (99) d Laharum 9.6 (60). Away.
Round 18: W. 31.19 (205) d Kalkee 5.4 (34). Home.*
Ithas been a long 11 months since Noradjuha-Quantong’s 13-point loss to Harrow-Balmoral in the 2024 Horsham District league grand final.
For the Bombers, who came close to a remarkable flag only to fall just short, there has been plenty of time to reflect.
But rather than wallow in misery, Noradjuha-Quantong coach Damian Cameron said his players have
used the experience as impetus to improve this season.
The Bombers have lost only once this season en route to a minor premiership and a league-best percentage of 321.25.
Only a one-point loss to KanivaLeeor United in round 11 prevented the Bombers from recording an undefeated home-and-away campaign.
But Cameron knows finals will be a different ballgame, and the only chance for his team to assuage last year’s pain lies in the four weeks ahead – not the 18 up to this point.
“Obviously finals are a different story. You never know what’s going to happen,” he said.
“Teams we’ve faced during the year and beaten might have different sides and game plans coming in, so we’ll have to take it week to week.
“We have worked hard to lock in top spot, we don’t want to get complacent, we want to stick to what’s been working.”
Levi Mock
in run for flag
Sticking to what has worked will mean sticking to nearly everything the Bombers have done this season.
The team boasts the most potent forward line – having kicked 2056 points – 496 more than the nextclosest team, Harrow-Balmoral.
Four Bomber players are among the top 10 goal-kickers in the league, with Brock Orval, Judah Hobbs, captain Dylan Shelley and Jye Walter all kicking more than 40 goals.
Fuelling Noradjuha-Quantong’s scoring output is an onball brigade headed by ruckman Jack Vague and midfielders such as Jayden Besford, James Gregg and Declan Phyland.
And the back line, while less heralded, contains seasoned performers like former captain Wade Francis.
But Cameron believes the Bombers’ success this season has been fuelled less by individual stars and more by team process – a process that starts each week at training.
“We’ve had really good numbers on the track and I think that motivation probably does stem from last year,” he said.
“We’ve been lucky to have had big numbers at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year, even when the weather’s been crappy and you might expect things
to drop off a little bit. It’s probably showing up on the field because of that – we’re well prepared and well drilled.
“Fitness has come into it a lot for us too.
“A couple of years ago we were a lit tle bit underdone compared to what we are now, and we were losing games or mak ing things a lot tighter than they needed to be in the second half, whereas this year we’ve been able to finish games off really strongly.
“We’ve been practicing the sort of game style we want to play for a couple of years now and it’s starting to sink in and become natural now.”
And while Cameron has not harped on last year’s disappoint ment, he knows it will give his side extra motivation.
“Obviously it will get brought up on rare occasions, but you try not to focus too much on that and just focus on your next step forward and what we’re doing right now,” he said.
“If we need that little bit of a kick or extra motivation, it’s good to remind them of that and how much it hurts when you come so close but don’t get the chocolates.”
Players to watch
Declan Phyland
Phyland has proved a tremendous addition to the Noradjuha-Quantong line-up this year after being recruited from the Loddon Valley league in the off-season. Filling out the Bombers’ midfield rotation after the loss of James Hallett – a key contributor in last year’s grand final side – Phyland has also showcased his ability to hit the scoreboard with 28 majors for the season.
Jack Vague
Regarded as one of the best ruckmen in the competition, Vague gets the Bombers’ potent onball unit going. One of the best players in last season’s losing grand final effort, Vague will need to be in peak form for Noradjuha-Quantong to contend for this year’s premiership.
Jye Walter
Another vital addition to the Bombers’ team is Walter, who returned to the club this season after two years with the Wimmera league’s Minyip-Murtoa. Walter has kicked 40 goals and has the versatility to play multiple positions.
Dylan Shelley
A true leader, the Bombers’ captain can play wherever the team needs him most. He spent much of last season as a defender but has been used more often in attack this year, where a 10goal haul against Swifts in round 10 showed what he is capable of.
Jack Vague
Coaches: Taylor Shelley, Fiona Rowe
A goalie who uses her height in the ring to her advantage. Quick is unafraid to shoot a long bomb and more often than not will sink it – adding excitement to the game with her difficult shotmaking.
Morrish brings ‘a very different style’ to the league after joining the Bombers from Dimboola in the Wimmera league. Her strength is her processing speed, keeping her opponents on the back foot by making quick decisions and releasing the ball up court.
‘We have faith’
hile Noradjuha-Quantong was the last team to lock in an A Grade netball finals berth and faces an uphill battle to reach the grand final from fifth place, the Bombers are undaunted. Co-coach Taylor Shelley believes the competition is the most even it has been in years, and that any of the five finals sides can cap-
“I think it is very open and it will be about who turns up on the day and who can perform better and more consistently for four
“We obviously had a big loss to Edenhope-Apsley a few weeks ago, but earlier in the season we only went down to them by three goals, and it was the same with Laharum – we’ve each won a game against each other. Then Rupanyup has beaten everyone else but lost to Laharum.”
The Bombers will also draw confidence from last season’s finals campaign, in which they nearly qualified for the grand final before losing a thrilling preliminary final to Rupa-
board, while Couch, for years a fixture at the top of the goal-shooting tally, has taken a supporting role with 214 this year.
But the Bombers are far from one-dimensional, with Shelley and 2024 league best and fairest Brooke Pay forming a strong defensive tandem, while Holly Ross, Jayne Tucker and Kate Cameron are effective conduits through the midcourt.
Importantly, Shelley believes the four-quarter consistency she said would be required for any of the five finals sides to claim this year’s premiership is starting to show itself at Noradjuah-Quantong.
While the Bombers dropped their round-18 match against fellow finals side Kalkee at the weekend, she said her team’s form had been trending in the right direction.
“I think we are definitely getting there,” Shelley said of her team’s consistency.
“That was without a doubt a struggle for us at the start of the year, and Fiona Rowe and I as coaches knew we had to work on it.”
Shelley said a 15-goal win against reigning premier Laharum in the season’s penultimate round had been a nice reminder that her side was on track as it reached the finals.
Kate Cameron
Noradjuha-Quantong has arguably improved its line-up compared to the one that took the court in last year’s finals, adding goal attack Taya Quick alongside towering shooter Shannon Couch to give itself one of the most potent tandems in the league. Quick has netted 416 goals this season, placing her second on the league leader-
“It gives us a bit of extra confidence in our ability, but I don’t think we ever really needed that. We do have faith in where we’re at,” she said.
“We’ve had a couple of losses in recent weeks that probably weren’t ideal, but we nearly went all the way last year and we’ve had a pretty strong season so far this year.”
Heads held high
Laharum’s back is officially against the wall.
After capping an undefeated 2024 season with a premiership, the Demons have encountered several roadblocks during their title defence. The most pressing of issues is the fact they will be unable to field their strongest line-up in Sunday’s elimination final meeting with Noradjuha-Quantong.
Already without star goalie Caitlin Jones-Story for the season after she gave birth, the team will have to contend with the loss of goal attack Maddie Iredell, who is in the United States coaching another of the Demons’ players, Lilly Weir, as she prepares to compete in the CrossFit Games.
To top it off, coach and starting goal keeper Rebecca McIntyre tore ligaments in her ankle late in the season, forcing her out of the final three games and limiting her mobility.
While McIntyre plans to take the court this weekend in hopes the Demons can extend their season by another week, she admitted her side faced its toughest challenge of the past two years.
She said Laharum had hoped to qualify for a topthree position, giving itself a double chance and Iredell and Weir time to return if the side lost in the first week, but was now facing a do-or-die match.
“We always knew it was going to be tight for us to qualify for the top three and we obviously didn’t plan for me to be injured,” she said.
“I’ll just have to suck it up and take one for the team, because if I don’t play we won’t have a bench because of our injuries and people away.”
Despite the daunting task, McIntyre said her side remained confident it could defeat the Bombers.
“We match up on Noradjuha-Quantong well usu-
ally. When your back is against the wall and you know you haven’t got another chance, hopefully you just find a way to win,” she said.
“We’ll see whether we live to fight another day.”
McIntyre said the unavailability of sev eral key players would also give valuable finals experience to the next generation of Laharum talent.
“Hannah Plazzer stepped up into A Grade and is playing really well.
At the weekend she had four quarters of really hard, intense netball against the best team in the league and she held her own,” McIntyre said.
“It’s exciting for the future to see where she’ll be, because she’s got a lot to give and she gets a chance now to be part of A Grade finals, which doesn’t always happen as a 16-year-old.”
With experienced players like Liv Jones-Story and Ema Iredell still in the line-up, Laharum will remain a dangerous opponent for any finals side.
McIntyre said she considered her team’s title de fence a success no matter the results of the coming weeks.
“We’ve stuck together. We’re very close friends off the court, so we’re still here and we still back each other,” she said.
“We haven’t been used to losing much in the last couple of years. We lost the most we have for a while this year, but we’ve held our heads high and kept going and focused on what we can control and what we can improve on.
“Everyone has stood together and that’s something I’m proud of.”
While her twin sister Maddie is out for Sunday’s elimination final, Ema will give Noradjuha-Quantong plenty to think about. She flies around the defensive end of the court with ferocious athleticism, racking up deflections and intercepts
Liv Jones-Story
The consistent metronome of the midcourt, Jones-Story has helped drive much of the Demons’ recent success. She will need to be at the top of her game to help defend her team’s premiership.
Rylee Hateley
Kalkee’s road to the finals
Coach: Paula Wiedermann
Round 1: L. 43 to Laharum 44. Away.
Round 2: Bye.
Round 3: W. 52 d Harrow-Balmoral 30. Home.
Round 4: W. 48 d Pimpinio 46. Away.
Round 5: W. 51 d Swifts 35. Home.
Round 6: W. 59 d Kaniva-Leeor United 24. Home.
Round 7: L. 35 to Noradjuha-Quantong 37. Home.
Round 8: L. 41 to Rupanyup 50. Away.
Round 9: W. 51 d Natimuk United 30. Home.
Round 10: W. 48 d Edenhope-Apsley 44. Away.
Round 11: W. 54 d Taylors Lake 38. Home.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 13: L. 33 to Laharum 57. Home.**
Round 14: W. 59 d Harrow-Balmoral 20. Away.
Round 15: W. 66 d Pimpinio 20. Home.*
Round 16: W. 48 d Swifts 47. Away.
Round 17: W. 49 d Kaniva-Leeor United 28. Home.
Round 18: W. 48 d Noradjuha-Quantong 39. Away.
* Highest score ** Lowest score
Total: Won: 12. Lost: 4. For: 785. Against: 589.
Points: 48. Percentage: 133.28.
Players to watch
Emily Polack
Polack provides a steadying presence in the Kees’ defensive arc, reading the play and shutting down opposition attackers all season. She displays composure under and sets up much of Kalkee’s transition from defence to attack.
Millie McRae
The engine of Kalkee’s midcourt, McRae is creative and dynamic. She possesses excellent court vision.
Full team effort
GO KEES!!!
eath, taxes and Kalkee playing finals – these are three constants in life as a Horsham District A Grade netball supporter, and 2025 has been no exception.
The Kees, who have more A Grade premierships than any other club, have continued to quietly achieve this season, finishing in third place courtesy of a final-round win against Noradjuha-Quantong and earning themselves a double chance in the process. The result set up a blockbuster qualifying final against Edenhope-Apsley – a team Kalkee beat by four goals in their only meeting this season – at Dock Lake Reserve on Saturday.
But while the Kees had the edge on the Saints earlier this year, coach Paula Wiedermann said it was no guarantee of success this weekend.
“Honestly, with how close the competition has been this year, I don’t think there’s just one team to beat,” she said.
“Any side that’s made it to finals has shown they can win big games, and on the day anyone can take it. What I will say is there are a few teams who’ve been really consistent across the season, and we’ll need to be at our best against them.
“But for us, the focus stays on our own game – if we execute well and play to our strengths, we give ourselves the best chance no matter who we face.”
One of Kalkee’s main strengths is its
defensive unit, which has allowed only 589 goals this season – the second-lowest mark in the league behind minor premier Rupanyup.
Emily Polack and Lotus Martin have given opposition goalies difficulty all season, while a midcourt featuring Millie McRae and youngsters like Georgia Schultz and Abbey Williams has also played its part in disrupting transition opportunities.
Jarrah Martin has been the team’s number-one goalie when available, with others including Casey Rentsch, Jenna Bywayers and Wiedermann also rotating through attack.
But Wiedermann said finals success would come down to team effort and mindset rather than individual brilliance.
“To be successful it’s going to come down to consistency and composure, executing our structures for the full four quarters, staying disciplined under pressure and making the most of our opportunities,” she said.
“We know every team in finals can push hard, so it will be the little one-percenters that make the difference. In terms of adjustments, it’s less about changing our game plan and more about sharpening what we already do well – tidying up our connections in attack, staying accountable defensively, and backing our fitness to finish strong.”
A win this weekend would put the Kees within touch of yet another grand final appearance, but for Wiedermann, this season has been as much about ensuring continued future success.
“We have had the opportunity to have 13 girls play A Grade this season. I see those as opportunities for the growth of players to try new positions as well as a higher grade for some,” she said.
Paula Wiedermann
HDFNL FiNaLs
Consistency key
The Edenhope-Apsley Saints could be timing their run to perfection as they enter the 2025 Horsham District league finals seeking a third A Grade premiership in four years.
After back-to-back flags in 2022 and 2023 the Saints were dethroned in an elimination final last season, but with a few fresh faces in the line-up – as well as the return of some old ones – the team has returned to the league’s upper echelon.
Edenhope-Apsley finished second with a percentage of 135.89.
A season highlight came in round nine as the Saints defeated reigning premier Laharum by five goals.
But while that match was one of the team’s high points, coach Lavinia Fox believes her squad did not begin to hit peak form until a 48-goal thrashing of Pimpinio in round 13.
“I think we’ve really hit our straps at the right time of the season and we’re putting out some really good netball,” she said.
“The game against Rupanyup in round 16 was a really good test for us. To only lose by one goal I think shows that we’ve got the potential to go well in the finals, given that they’ve been setting the benchmark for most of the season.
“Now it’s just about finding that consistency. I think that’s probably what’s going to separate teams in the finals, is if you can put together a consistent four quarters – if you have a lull you’re probably going to lose.”
But building consistency has been a process for Edenhope-Apsley, which this season has incorporated Victorian Netball League-listed players like goal shooter Dee Dee Lambert and defender Olivia Spence into its line-up, while also welcoming back former players Hayley Campbell and Mereana Crawford.
“They’ve all been standouts, as well as Jas McIntyre who is a 17-and-under player who was in our senior side last year but has taken off this year,” Fox said.
“Her development has been incredible and she’s been a fantastic wing defence-centre for us.
“Seeing everyone’s individual performanc es lift has made me really excited.”
The Saints were given a bye in the final round of the season, which Fox said present ed both positives and drawbacks ahead of a qualifying final against Kalkee.
“I think we would rather have had a game leading into the finals,” she said.
“On the other hand it’s nice to have a week off leading into finals as well just to rest the body. It just depends on how you look at it.
“It’s fortunate with the new structure of the finals that we should get a second chance, but obviously we’ll be looking to win. We don’t want to fall into that second chance if we don’t have to.
“Our first goal was to make the finals and we now know that we’ve done that, so now it’s about seeing what we can do within that finals campaign.”
A mid-season pickup for Edenhope-Apsley who has slotted into the forward arc alongside coach Lavinia Fox to give the Saints arguably the most potent goaling duo in the league.
Olivia Spence
Along with Fox and Lambert, Spence rounds out a trio of Victorian Netball League-listed players on the Saints’ list. Playing at goal defence, Spence reads the game well and applies good pressure.
Bergen has assumed the mantle as the league’s best goal-scorer this season, with Laharum’s Caitlin Jones-Story on the sidelines. Bergen has shot a league-leading 506 goals in 2025 – 90 more than second-placed Taya Quick.
Holly Ross
Recruited from Pimpinio, Ross has been an outstanding addition to the line-up. Whether playing at goal defence or across the defensive side of the midcourt, Ross’ game has risen to new heights.
Standing tall
After years of toil, Rupanyup’s firstever A Grade netball premiership could be only four weeks away.
The Panthers have built towards ultimate success in the past two seasons, but ran into a Laharum road-block both times – losing to the Demons in a preliminary final in 2023 and a heartbreaking grand final last year.
But this season has seen Rupanyup take its game to new heights – they topped the ladder by a two-game margin, with a league-best percentage of 187.72.
Their sole loss came by four goals in a grand final rematch against Laharum in round seven, but they took revenge in a 20goal win against an understrength Demons team in the final round at the weekend.
Coach Georgia Hiscock, who was a member of the 2023 Rupanyup squad before missing last season due to overseas travel, said the team had set itself up with an excellent chance to finally capture a premiership.
But she warned it would not come easily, with the Panthers set to run a gauntlet of evenly-matched finals foes.
“It’s both scary and exciting. No one is really safe. Noradjuha-Quantong, who are fifth, match up exceptionally well on us, and do every time. It really could be anyone in the top five that wins,” she said.
After a few testing wins this season, Hiscock said her team had shown itself capable of standing up under intense pressure.
“The biggest difference in finals is just that extra pressure – the atmosphere. It’s excit-
ing. Everyone takes it to that next level,” she said.
“Against Edenhope-Apsley in round 16 we won after the siren, but we were four goals down with two minutes to go, so to fight back showed we handled that pressure well.”
One of Rupanyup’s strengths has been its in-game rotations, utilising a deep midcourt through which the likes of Hiscock, her sister Ally, Meg Cashin, Holly Ross and Maddi Morgan can all run.
Zanaiya Bergen is the team’s focal point, scoring a league-high 506 goals this season, but Morgan, Ilze Van Zyl and Bianca Drum have each spent time alongside her at goal attack. Goal keeper Victoria Taylor anchors the team in defence, with Ross and Lucy Bussenschutt also spending time in the defensive arc.
“We’re quite lucky that we’re able to make a lot of rotations. I think in one game this season we made 35 changes, which is extraordinary,” Hiscock said.
“When you look at the other teams they probably maintain their core seven players throughout most of the game, whereas we chop and change quite a lot, and it means we’re able to run out with fresh legs.”
While the Panthers have not dwelt on last season’s grand final loss, Hiscock said she hoped it would spur her team to cross the final hurdle this year.
“The girls still feel the sting from that loss, so we definitely do use it as motivation,” she said.
