Horsham Saints’ 26-point win over Nhill sent a telling message that they are ready to match it with the top sides in Wimmera league football in 2026.

Playing at Davis Park, the Saints navigated a wind advantage in the second term to pile on seven goals and take a four-point lead into half-time.

The Saints built from there, edging out to a six-point lead by the last change before taking control in the last term.

Nhill’s inaccuracy proved costly – the Tigers’ scoreline of 10.20 showed they had more scoring shots than the Saints but couldn’t capitalise, especially in the first term where they kicked four goals, 11 points.

But it wasn’t all smooth-sailing for the Saints with injuries to two key players early leaving the visitors with only one player on the bench.

Saints coach Angus Martin said he was proud of his players for their mental fortitude to get on with the game.

“We had two injuries early, and the boys were a bit rattled because one of them was Sam Clyne, who’s a pretty experienced footballer, and he broke his ankle,” he said.

“It was quite nasty, and everyone was a bit shell-shocked. But they knew they had a job to do, and they knew they were undermanned, but we just got it done.”

Rory Taggert also hurt his glute muscle and will join the Saints injury list.

“We’ve got quite a lot of injuries, so once we get our full side back, I think we can really match it with the best, which is very promising,” he said.

“We only had one on the bench on Saturday, but I think we’ve proved so far this year that the boys are very, very fit, and they seem to be running games out extremely well, which was quite pleasing seeing them dig deep, keep running and keep scoring. 

“Even in the last five minutes, we were still kicking goals, which was good.”

Reid Kuller, ruckman Cody Bryan, Alex McRae, co-captain Mitch Martin, and Zac Peake, with four goals, were impressive for the Saints.

For the Tigers, Lucas Dahlenburg, Matt Kennedy and Tom Wheaton were best.

In the other match between possible finals’ contenders, Stawell made a poor start against Southern Mallee Thunder, kicking just two points in the opening term, but the Warriors redeemed themselves in the second term to level the scores at 42-points apiece at half-time.

Playing at Jeparit, the Thunder – through the likes of Rupert Sangster, Coleman Schache and Harry McLeod – were able to gain the ascendency in the second half to run out 15-point winners, handing Stawell its first defeat of the season.

The Warriors – without Daniel Guccione and Michael Romero – were best served by Jesse Galea-Portelli, Tom Eckel and Josh Fowkes.

Five goals from skipper Tom Mills was instrumental in Ararat’s 75-46 win over Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park.

The Eagles got off to a flyer to take a 24-point lead at quarter-time before the Rats came back in the second term to lead by four points at half-time.

The home side clawed back the lead 40-37 by the last change, but the Rats slammed on six goals in the last quarter to take the win as the Eagles could only manage one goal for the term.

Cody Lindsay, Harry Ganley and James Jennings were impressive for the Rats, while for the Eagles, Billy Stokes, Ned Grieve and Riley Morrow were named best.

At Horsham City Oval, the Demons were back on the winners’ list with a 61-point thumping over Dimboola.

The Demons’ five-goal opening term was impressive, with the home side well-led by Oakley Farr, Zac Martin and Billy Carberry.

The Roos lacked fire-power, kicking only three goals for the match, with Ash Clugston, Ben Miller and Darcy Dubois their better players. Dimboola faces another big test when it plays Southern Mallee Thunder this Saturday, as do the Demons who play Ararat.

Horsham Saints will host Minyip-Murtoa, coming off a bye, while the match of the round could be Stawell versus Nhill at Central Park.

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