By Colin MacGillivray

The Horsham District Football Netball League returned with a bang at the weekend, as a series of intriguing results offered hints at an entertaining season ahead.

Two-time reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral kicked off its flag defence with an away game against Taylors Lake, and while the Roos emerged victorious, the fruits of the Lakers’ off-season recruiting drive were on display.

In their lone meeting last season Harrow-Balmoral dismantled Taylors Lake by 178 points, but on Saturday the plucky Lakers refused to be blown away.

Trailing by 25 points at quarter time and 36 at the half, the Lakers played the Roos to a virtual standstill in the second half to go down 17.12 (114) to 11.10 (76).

Bray Cullinan picked up where he left off last season, kicking two goals from the midfield for Taylors Lake, while Dimboola recruit Patrick Lindsey had a solid debut for his new club.

Meanwhile for the Roos, playing coach Jai Thompson showed the form that took him to last season’s Dellar Medal, kicking two goals, while Michael Close repelled numerous attacks across half back and Cody Deutscher booted four majors.

Pimpinio showed it will not be content to rest on its laurels after breaking a 15-year finals drought last season, smothering Edenhope-Apsley 21.13 (139) to 6.5 (41) at Edenhope.

Only errant kicking kept the contest close at quarter time, with the Tigers booting 4.6 to the Saints’ 2.0 in the first term, but once the likes of Nick Groves, five goals, and Dylan Bates, four, found their range, Pimpinio ran away with the game.

Veteran midfielder Matt Rosier put in a best-on-ground performance for Pimpinio with three majors, while Edenhope-Apsley half-backs Clint Rokebrand and Josh La Rocca did their best to drive the Saints forward.

Laharum also showed a hunger for further success in 2025, defeating Kalkee 13.16 (94) to 3.8 (26) at Cameron Oval.

A six-goal haul from youngster Chase Whelan showed why co-coaches Shannon Argall and Robbie Miller are excited about Laharum’s development potential this year, while Todd Heynen slotted seamlessly back into the side across half back.

Veteran Ben Lawson led from the front for the Kees, kicking two goals, while Charlie Millar stamped himself as a young player to watch for the side.

Swifts’ quest for a grand final appearance got off to a good start against Natimuk United, with the Baggies running away after half-time to win 13.17 (95) to 5.4 (34) at Natimuk Showgrounds.

The Baggies shared the load in attack with 10 individual goal kickers, but it was captain Liam Scott who won plaudits for his work at centre-half-back, helping keep the Rams to only two behinds after half time.

Natimuk United, which remains among the league’s youngest sides this season, was best served by Horsham Saints recruits Drew Harris and Mitchell Clark, while Kyah Wilkinson also impressed.

Tight match

The closest game of the round was played at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve, with the Panthers coming from behind to defeat visiting Kaniva-Leeor United 13.8 (86) to 11.9 (75).

Panthers co-coach Daniel Schaper admitted the Cougars got the better of his side in the first term, but praised his players for responding well to a series of tactical adjustments.

“We put Jesse Jesson into the forward line, and we also put Max Sudholz from a wing into the forward line in order to match up a bit better,” he said.

“We got our match-ups right down back and the midfielders probably became a bit more accountable after quarter time.

“We didn’t want to be bees to a honeypot, we wanted to hold our space out on the wings because they were killing us on the overlap.

“Once we got our structures right we were able to play the brand of footy that we want to play.”

Leading the way for the Panthers was Daniel Weetra, whose presence was felt across half-back all day.

Weetra was one of several former Rupanyup premiership players to return to the club during the summer, along with the likes of Mitch Musgrove and Joe Tormey, who also impressed, while Domonic Grant showed he will be a handy inclusion with a long-range goal in the first quarter.

While beaten, the Cougars can be encouraged by the debuts of brothers Jacob and Lochie Eats, the former of whom kicked four goals while the latter was a standout in the midfield alongside Sam Vivian.

With a match against 2024 runner-up Noradjuha-Quantong looming this weekend, Schaper said the Panthers would again need to limit their opposition’s ability to hurt them on the outside.

“[Noradjuha-Quantong] have obviously recruited pretty well after playing in the grand final last year,” he said.

“They defend really well and then create good attack from their wingers and half-backs.

“We’ll try to get our match ups right. Obviously they’ve got [Dylan] Shelley and [Brock] Orval up forward who can create havoc.”

Other matches this weekend are Harrow-Balmoral host Laharum at Balmoral; Taylors Lake travelling to play Pimpinio; Swifts at home to Edenhope-Apsley; and Natimuk United take on the Cougars in Kaniva.

The entire April 9, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!