Sport
29 August, 2025
Eagles battle for grand final berth
The Ararat Eagles face Lismore Derrinallum at Willaura tomorrow for a place in the 2025 Mininera District Football League Grand Final.
By Adrian Pieters
In what should be a great game, the winner will go straight into the grand final at Mortlake in two weeks. The sides have only played each other once this year in round ten, where the Eagles won a hard-fought battle by ten points at home.
The key to the game could be in the ruck contest between Jack Taurau and Demons' tall Henry Walsh. Last time they met, Taurau was best on ground, winning around the ground, but Walsh, with his height advantage, set up many attacks from the centre bounces.
The Eagles have more gearing onballers than the Demons, but Blake Scott, who is a ball magnet with explosive pace, will have to be closely watched.
Prolific Demon full forward Lachie Constable, who has kicked over one hundred goals this season, had a day to forget last time they played, kicking only one major.
He is an extremely good kick for goal, and the Eagles' defence would not want to give him too many chances. The Demons probably match it better physically than Penshurst, especially across half back, which will make it harder for the Eagles forwards to kick a winning score.
With the game played at Willaura, we should see a high standard with plenty of ball movement on the big oval. As there is no AFL and the Ararat Rats have the rest this week, a large crowd is expected to attend, giving the Ararat footy-mad public something to watch.
The result could go either way in what should be a great contest. It is fair to say that there is not a lot of love lost between the two clubs, and this will be the game covered by the Advocate.
Penshurst v Tatyoon Elimination Final Preview
By Adrian Pieters.
In their only clash this year in round six, the Bombers won by thirty-four points at home. Recently, they have had a horror run of injuries, with a major out being Sam Rentsch at centre halfback.
They are coming off last week's physical clash with the Ararat Eagles where they lost another player for the year with an arm injury.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are getting stronger every week with players returning and have only lost one game since round eight. Last week, the Bombers relied too heavily on their best player, Josh Rentsch, to do the bulk of the scoring as well as spend time in the ruck.
Their other forwards will need to step up if they are going to kick a winning score against the strong Hawks' defence led by Angus Johnston. Josh Bibby has been in excellent form for the Hawks and can play either on the ball or move back to the back line if needed.
With all their major contributors playing well last week, they should win and move into next week’s preliminary final.
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