Natimuk United’s senior footballers pulled off one of the club’s most significant – and dramatic – wins of recent years on Saturday, handing reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral its second loss of the season.

The Rams have not played finals since 2019, but at the weekend they went toe-to-toe with one of the Horsham District Football Netball League’s elite sides – albeit one with a lengthy injury list.

Playing in front of a home crowd, Natimuk United got the first goal on the board less than two minutes into the contest, and led by a point at quarter time.

Behind Mitch Clark’s strong workrate in the midfield, the Rams continued to build, leading by a straight kick at the half and 11 at the final change.

Natimuk United had plenty of other standouts, with small forward Adrianne Lupton lively, Oscar Miller using his big frame to good effect around the ball and ruckman Liam Klowss battling against Harrow-Balmoral veteran Anthony Close.

But the shorthanded Roos had enough firepower of their own to keep themselves in touch, with midfielder Peter Staude leading the way while Close and fellow big man Lachlan Craig kicked two goals apiece.

Both teams had chances to strike an early blow in a tense final term, but Clark hit the post with a running shot soon after a pair of Harrow-Balmoral misses at the other end.

It would prove to be the Rams’ only score of the fourth quarter, with the Roos continuing to press.

But Klowss, sent behind the ball in the second half, and backman Bailey Brennan made timely plays to win the ball back for their team.

Rams supporters had their hearts in their mouths when Roo Mitchell Grant hit Close for his second goal of the game, narrowing the margin to four points in time-on.

Natimuk United continued to defend grimly, with Brennan taking a crucial intercept and winning another free kick for high contact.

The Roos pressed again, with a running shot from Staude sailing out of bounds less than two minutes before the siren.

It was the final shot the visitors would manage, with Natimuk United holding on to win 9.6 (60) to 8.8 (56).

Rams coach Jarred Combe was delighted for his side following the contest.

“We’re continuing to take steps forward in our development while we are still inconsistent at times, which is expected with such a young group,” he said.

“It was a very even contest. Both teams had periods of control. We had moments where we capitalised on opportunities, but we also had times where we lacked composure.

“We minimised the lapses we’ve been having in previous games. Saturday was our first four-quarter effort of the year.”

Combe said while he made some positional changes at three-quarter time, it was mindset rather than tactics that won the game for his side in the final quarter.

“The message was reaffirming players to stay in the game, play each minute and not to switch off whether the ball was in or out of play,” he said.

“The last quarter was basically played between the 50-metre arcs. 

“Both teams were set up really well defensively and both backlines controlled the ball making it difficult to score.”

The match was the only game of the weekend decided by fewer than five goals, with ladder-leader Noradjuha-Quantong crushing Swifts 24.18 (162) to 2.6 (18) and Laharum dismantling Taylors Lake 25.15 (165) to 4.4 (28).

The Bombers were led by a 10-goal outburst from swingman Dylan Shelley and five from Jye Walter, while for Laharum there was a more even spread as Chase Whelan, Monty Wynne,  Phil Butsch, Hayden Kemp, Gerard Matthews, Riley Lenehan and Brodie Mines all kicked multiple goals.

Pimpinio snapped a two-game losing streak, beating Rupanyup 14.13 (97) to 9.10 (64), with Matt Rosier a welcome addition in his return from injury and Nick Groves kicking five goals.

Kalkee continued its strong recent run of form, beating Edenhope-Apsley 15.10 (100) to 3.8 (26) on the road.

Karl Campbell was judged the Kees’ best player, while Luke Byrne and Deacan Campbell kicked three goals each.

This weekend will see the Kees host Taylors Lake in search of a fourth straight win, while Edenhope-Apsley will travel to take on Harrow-Balmoral, Pimpinio is at home to Natimuk United, Swifts welcome Rupanyup to North Park and Kaniva-Leeor United returns from a bye to host Noradjuha-Quantong.

The entire June 25, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire June 25,, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!