In windy conditions at Stawell, Horsham Saints put on a dominant display in the second semi-final to earn their place in the Wimmera league A Grade grand final.

The Saints won 78-35 over Dimboola after showing serious scoreboard dominance in each quarter.

Horsham Saints coach Vernetta Taylor said she was happy with how the Saints stuck to their game plan to adjust to the conditions.

“Our game plan was to get that ball as close to the post as possible and to get ourselves into a good rebounding position, and I think we managed to do that really well,” she said.

“We also talked about making sure we kept the passes hard and flat, but we still needed to move the ball efficiently. 

“We can play a short game, but our preference is to turn and look down the court and give what’s on.  I think we did manage to adjust to the conditions pretty well.

“Dimboola put up a good challenge and it was quite physical in all the right ways, but I think our accuracy helped – it’s helpful to have a six-foot goal shooter who can rebound any that get missed.”

That six-foot goal shooter – Jorja Clode – passed the 1000 goal mark for the season, snagging her 1000th goal late in the game.

Taylor described Clode’s 1000 goals as ‘extraordinary’. “It’s just a credit to the calibre of netballer that she is, and recognition for the work that she puts in,” Taylor said.

“I think sometimes Jorja makes it look so easy that people don’t appreciate what it takes to be the standard of netballer that she is. 

“She’s so strong – under that post, you cannot move her. She’s calm, she’s accurate, but she is also a very smart goaler because she works extremely well with the goal attack. 

“Her screens that she puts on, her space awareness, knowing where to put the ball in the best interest of her other goaler. 

“She’s an incredible talent, and she makes it look so easy.”

Clode was among the Saints’ best on Saturday, as was wing attack Megan Byrne whose feeds into the goal ring were outstanding, while goal defender Maddi Bethune again put in a consistent performance.

For the Roos, midcourter Rianna Kuhne and defender Steph Glover were impressive.

In the first semi-final at Dimboola on Sunday, Horsham Demons had a strong last quarter to score a 52-40 win over Ararat.

The Rats hit the lead early, taking a 13-11 lead into quarter time before just one goal separated the two sides at half-time. The third quarter was again close – this time the Demons put their noses in front to lead 36-34 at the last change, setting up what many expected to be an epic fourth term.

The Demons were able to strike early and get out to a 39-34 lead before Ararat scored.

Horsham extended its lead to 43-35 before the Rats made some positional changes in an attempt to swing the game back their way.

Coach Faith Biddle moved from defence to goal attack, as Julia Harricks came on at goal defence and Michayla McRae was subbed off, but the Demons had all the answers and jetted to a 12-goal win.

The Demons will now play Dimboola in the preliminary final at Minyip this weekend.

The two sides met in week one of finals, where the Roos won 49-46 – an example of their close games in 2026.

On each of the three occasions the Demons and the Roos have met this season, there has been a three-goal margin – Horsham winning 45-42 in round four, while the round 13 match went Dimboola’s way, 52-49.

Wimmera league followers are set for another epic game in this Saturday’s preliminary final, as the two sides battle it out to earn a grand final place, and a chance to take on Horsham Saints in the grand final.

The entire September 9, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!