By Abby Walter

A top-of-the-table clash between Ararat and Minyip-Murtoa is set to be match of the round in Wimmera Football Netball League senior football action this weekend. 

With only one game the difference between the two sides, the teams will set the standard top five sides will need to reach to be in contention for the big dance. 

When they last met, Ararat defeated Minyip-Murtoa by four points after the Burras clawed themselves back into the game after a low-scoring first quarter. 

Half a season on and the game could go either way, with the Burras needing another strong performance from Kieran Delahunty, while the Rats will look to Matthew Hutchesson to continue his competitive form. 

In round 15, an up and down game saw Minyip-Murtoa defeat Horsham Demons by nine points. 

The Burras had an early lead on the Demons and looked in control by half time. 

The Demons came out firing in the third quarter to secure a one-point lead before the final term, where the Burras were able to put themselves back in front.

Kieran and John Delahunty were instrumental in the win for the Burras, while Ben Lakin and Rhys Barber played well for the Demons. 

Southern Mallee Giants shut Ararat down early for a 20-point lead after the first quarter, but an invigorated Rats unit was not prepared to go down without a fight. 

The Rats came back in the second quarter to reduce the margin and in the third quarter did not allow the Giants to score, allowing them to create a 10-point lead. 

Another tough quarter in the last for the Giants saw Ararat win with another solid performance by Hutchesson.

Cody Lindsay was also key for the Rats while Zachary Robins and Coleman Schache worked hard for the Giants. 

Western rivals Dimboola and Nhill fought it out for the final time this season and the Roos came out on top after a tough game. 

Dimboola secured a lead early in the game and continued to increase the margin, while both teams worked hard throughout the middle to get the ball to the forward 50.

Jack Landt, with six goals, and Matthew Rosier were crucial in the win for Dimboola. 

Nhill’s Angus Wheaton and Liam Albrecht worked hard all game to try and slow the Dimboola unit down. 

Stawell proved too strong for Warrack Eagles and in the end, defeated them by more than seven goals. 

The finals contenders set the scene early and Paul Summers’ six goals were key in the Warriors’ win. 

Sam Williams also played well for Stawell, while Ryan Mckenzie and Riley Morrow worked hard for the Eagles. 

The Warriors will be looking forward to facing Southern Mallee Giants this week and working to secure four more points on the board. 

Despite a tough loss, the Giants will be looking to continue their comeback from a rough midseason and hope to be a challenge for Stawell to keep any finals hopes alive. 

Dimboola will be confident it could go home with another win when it takes on Horsham Saints, who are a solid opposition but have been unable to convert the scores on the board. 

Nhill and Warrack Eagles are set to have a good game and while the Eagles will be likely to come out on top, the game could go either way.

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

Last week: Minyip-Murtoa 9.11 (65) d Horsham 8.8 (56), Ararat 7.16 (58) d Southern Mallee Giants 4.6 (30), Stawell 14.12 (96) d Warrack Eagles 7.7 (49), Dimboola 12.8 (80) v Nhill 2.13 (25). 

Ladder: Ararat 48 points, 213.08 percent; Minyip-Murtoa 44, 143.28; Stawell 40, 147; Horsham 24, 136.34; Dimboola 24, 113.49; Southern Mallee Giants 20, 88.01; Horsham Saints 16, 73.71; Warrack Eagles 8, 53.48; Nhill 4, 45.71. 

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