Backed by a home crowd, Stawell Warriors mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to win by four points over Horsham Saints in the closest match of Wimmera league at the weekend.

The Saints led at every break, except for when it mattered most on the scoreboard, as the Warriors turned around their game in the second half.

Stawell co-coach James Sullivan said more efficient use of the ball moving forward and winning the ball in the midfield was a focus in the second half.

“We obviously didn’t play the way we wanted to play and weren’t playing the way we did the first three weeks. But credit to Horsham, they were playing a good brand of footy,” he said.

“We just had to go back to basics – we were very fumbly, but credit to Horsham, they had good pressure.”

Sullivan said the Warriors had shifted away from the way they usually played. 

“So we just had a bit of a focus on resetting, just doing the basics right and from there, the rest of game plan would come,” he said.

“Once we got back on top in the midfield and gave our forwards plenty of entry, I feel like that was probably the difference in the end.”

Sullivan said Sam Williams played a captain’s game to inspire his team to a win.

“He had a ripper game – he played half forward and up on the wing and got plenty of footy up high across half back and he used the ball exceptionally well,” he said. 

“He just led from the front with his disposal and ball use and we’re really wrapped with the way he went about it.”

Aiden Graveson, and Paul Summers who kicked seven goals and sits atop of the league goal-kicking leader board with 23 goals from four games this season, were also named in the Warriors’ best.

Gage Wright, Mitch Martin and Angus Martin were judged the best for the Saints, who now turn their attention to hosting Warrack Eagles on Saturday.

For Stawell, a road trip to Nhill awaits – and the Warriors are bracing themselves for a fired-up Tigers side after their heavy loss to Dimboola.
“I don’t think they would’ve been too happy with that outcome so we’re expecting a big response from them,  but we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Sullivan said.

The Tigers will be keen to redeem themselves after losing by 74 points to a rampaging Roos on Saturday.

Dimboola, through the likes of its recruits Jonathon Ross, coach Andrew Moore, the Landt brothers – Jack and Dylan – and Jackson Calder, with nine goals, were impressive. The Roos this weekend face Horsham, who are coming off a bye.

In another dominant match, Ararat defeated Warrack Eagles by 103 points.

Playing at Warracknabeal, the Rats came out firing and never looked back, as Tom Williams and Jack Ganley kicked 10 goals between them – six and four respectively.

Ararat’s ability to kick big scores is a headache for opposition teams – the Rats have scored more than 100 points in each of their four games this season. In fact, in three of those four games, they have scored more than 150 points.

Ben Taylor, Baydn Cosgriff and Brayden Draffin were key in the Rats’ win over the Eagles, who were best served by Riley Morrow, Sam Hanna and Declan Powell.

In the other round four match, Minyip-Murtoa was stopped in its tracks by Southern Mallee Thunder, who won 117-74 at Jeparit.

Brad Stokes, Billy Lloyd, Jackson Fisher and Kai Sheers, with four goals, led the way for the Thunder, who controlled the match throughout. 

The Thunder will be hoping to have found their touch as they face Ararat this Saturday – a grand final replay, which is set to be just one of round five’s intriguing matches. 

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