By Lauren Henry

With seven rounds of the Wimmera Football Netball League season played, the top three senior teams have set themselves apart.

Ararat and Stawell each have six wins, and just one loss, with the Rats sitting atop with superior percentage.

Southern Mallee Thunder has only lost one game too – a 15-point loss to Ararat – and is in third spot, with 20 points to its name.

Due to the Stawell versus Ararat round nine game being played on Good Friday, the league’s newest team hasn’t played as many matches as the top two teams.

The reigning premiers’ ability to consistently kick a high score, averaging 113 points a game, is a worry for any opposition.

Led by co-coach and former Carlton player Tom Williamson, who is atop of the league goal-kicking leaderboard with 25 goals, Ararat is blessed with home-grown talent.

Other than Tatyoon products Sam Cronin and Ryan Bates, the Rats regularly field a team of one-point players – meaning they all played juniors at Ararat.

Since their Good Friday defeat to Stawell, the Rats have won six games and are going to be hard to beat again this season, especially with  reigning Toohey Medallist Jake Robinson again in fine form.

But hot on their heels is Stawell, who this year celebrates its 150 years, and what a way to celebrate if the Warriors were to add another piece of silverware to their premiership cup cabinet.

The Warriors made a statement in the Wimmera league opener when they beat the reigning champs, and then went about notching up victories against Horsham Saints, Minyip-Murtoa, Dimboola and Nhill.

But they came crashing back down to earth in round six when a lacklustre second half proved costly against Horsham Demons at city oval.

The Warriors have added some star power to their line-up with former Port Adelaide player Marlon Motlop, and will face its biggest test so far this season on Saturday when it travels to Beulah to play Southern Mallee Thunder.

The Thunder know how to win, and win big. Their average score for this season is 116 points, but it’s their defence who have shone.

In the Thunder’s five wins, their opponents have not scored more than 52 points.

After finishing runner-up as the Southern Mallee Giants, an off-season merger with Horsham District league club Jeparit-Rainbow has strengthened numbers in the football department.
And while they are quite a different look team to last year’s Giants, coach Kieran Delahunty’s side would still have a fire in the belly to go one step better in 2024.

With 11 rounds remaining, there is still quite a bit to play out with who is going to round out the top five.

In fourth place, Horsham Demons have lacked consistency this season. 

Losing three out of their first four games, the Demons have struggled to kick straight in front of goal.

“We’re not in a position to really look too far ahead because we just haven’t been consistent enough,” Demons coach Jordyn Burke said.

“With the type of comp it is, it’s probably easier to only focus on one week ahead, because we haven’t played everyone yet to make sure that we tick every box.”

This Saturday, the Demons face the winless Warrack Eagles – but it will be a road trip they aren’t taking lightly.

“They’re getting better. You can see that – they have a really young side, and you can see that with their results,” Burke said.

“They’re well-coached, have some good young talent and they’re continually getting better and better.

“Warrack at Warrack has never been an easy proposition.”

Minyip-Murtoa, who has an extra week off with a bye this weekend, sits in fifth spot, but has lost more than they have won so far this season.

The Burras have always been threatening but have struggled with injuries in season 2024.

A highlight of their season has been the break-out of young gun Oscar Gawith, who has been the talk of the Wimmera league.

Imposing in whichever position he has played, Gawith has booted 18 goals and leads the Burras’ goal-kicking.

Nhill, Horsham Saints and Dimboola all sit on eight points, and will be hoping for their performances to improve in the second half of the season.

Dimboola, whose coach Jack Landt was bullish about making the top three in season 2024, is yet to live up to its own expectation despite an influx of new recruits.

The Roos will need to turn things around, starting this week against Horsham Saints, if they are any chance of achieving their goals.

In exactly the same boat, the Saints will be hoping its three-point win against Minyip-Murtoa in round seven will be enough to swing their season, and get their young side in a position to push into the top five.

The final game in round eight involves Nhill, who has the long trek to Ararat on Saturday, in hope of causing an upset to notch up its third win of the season.

• The Wimmera Football Netball League has launched a new website: https://wimmeraleague.com.au.

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