By Lauren Henry

It doesn’t get much better than a finals’ win in extra time against old foes Horsham Demons to keep a premiership dream alive – and that’s exactly what happened for Nhill on Sunday.

The Tigers came out of the blocks firing in the first term of the Wimmera league elimination final and shot out to a 36-point lead by quarter time.

The Demons’ issue with poor starts struck again as they could only muster two points in the opening term, although a strong wind was evident at Central Park, Stawell.

Horsham brought some respectability back to the scoreboard by the main break – clawing back the margin to 19 points – as captain Tyler Blake and star Ryan Kemp led by example.

But led by the experienced Deek Roberts, Daniel Batson and Pat Purcell, Nhill held its resolve, keeping a level head as the Demons showed some fight.

But it was the last quarter, which went into extra time when the scoreboard was a draw, where fans were treated to the real tussle.

Trailing by 13 points, the Demons mounted a comeback, like they have done many times this season.

But the Tigers stood strong, leading by one point when the siren went and put further ahead through a goal by Matt Kennedy, earning them the right to a place in the first semi-final against Stawell, while ending the season for the Demons.

“We’ve had two draws in three weeks, so it was quite a weird feeling,” Nhill coach Jake McQueen said.

“We didn’t really know what was going on once the final siren went, but once we found out which way we were going, it was back to just trying to defend the game when they had the wind.”

McQueen said Roberts was instrumental for the Tigers, stepping up another level against his old club.

“He definitely won us the game,” he said.

“We were down in the last quarter at one stage and he kicked a goal to put us back in front.

“He kicked three goals for the whole game and just his experience and knowledge, and his poise under pressure, it flows onto a few of the young fellas as well, which is good.”

McQueen paid credit to the Demons who fought out the match.

“That first quarter was terrific by the fellas and definitely was a very good part of the reason of why we won on the weekend,” he said. “When we had the wind the third quarter, they defended it so much better, and it started putting the pressure on us. 

“They’re a young side but they’re fit, and they definitely came back with some intent and we were trying to save the game at the end.”

Qualifying final

A seven-goal haul by Ararat co-coach Tom Mills was instrumental in the Rats’ 56-point win over Stawell in Saturday’s qualifying final.

In windy and wet conditions at Nhill, the match went Ararat’s way as it led from the outset. With 13 scoring shots to five by half time, Ararat’s pressure around the ball was too much for Stawell.

Ben Taylor, Sonny Kettle, with two goals, and Baydn Cosgriff led the way for the Rats, as they went on to have too many winners across the ground.

Building on their lead at every change, the Rats really put their foot down in the third term, piling on seven goals and closing the door to a Warriors’ comeback.

Zachary Marrow, Sam Williams and Sean Mantell toiled hard for the Warriors who had only one multiple goal-kicker for the day – Cody Driscoll.

The Rats are primed to take on ladder leaders Southern Mallee Thunder in this Saturday’s second semi-final at Warracknabeal in what should be an exciting match, and likely preview to the grand final.

Ararat has had the edge over the Thunder this year, scoring two wins in the home and away season, and almost placing the Rats as favourites.

Meanwhile Stawell has a second chance and will need to turn around its form as it takes on Nhill in the first semi-final at Coughlin Park, Horsham, on Sunday.

The ledger between the two sides is square this season – Stawell won by 21 points in round four and then Nhill won by 12 points in round 13 –  with the match set to be won in the midfield.

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