WIMMERA sport stars, teams and organisations have continued to shine at local, state, national and international level in 2014. With the year coming to a close, Wimmera Mail-Times sports journalist COLIN MacGILLIVRAY takes a look back at some of the outstanding performers. The Mail-Times has ranked the top 20 performers of the year and will publish a countdown of these stars, culminating in the naming of the top performer in early 2015. The countdown starts with the 2014 premiers of the Wimmera and Horsham District leagues coming in at number 20.
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IT WAS another big year in Wimmera football and netball.
With long-time football premiers Horsham and Kalkee finally dethroned in the Wimmera and Horsham District leagues respectively last year, 2014 was a year in which many teams emerged to fill the vacuum.
For much of the season there was no distinct frontrunner to claim the Wimmera league crown, while Laharum shaped as a likely back-to-back premier in the district league.
But football rarely goes to script.
Horsham managed to regain its supremacy after only one year by defeating Horsham Saints in a thrilling Wimmera league grand final, while Swifts produced a big upset against Laharum.
It underscored everything we love about the game – a champion, Horsham, rising back to the top to claim its 11th flag in 12 years, and an underdog, Swifts, fighting with their backs to the wall to pull off an improbable victory.
There was honour in defeat for the runners-up too.
Horsham Saints entered the Wimmera league grand final as favourites to claim their first flag since joining the league in 1993, but fell six points short despite a heroic nine-goal effort from Gavin Kelm.
Laharum was able to take pride in a great year that saw the team fall just short – the grand final day defeat was the Mountain Men’s only loss in 2014.
In the netball there were two equally impressive premiers.
Horsham’s netballers steamrolled their way to a third straight A Grade flag, giving the club both senior football and netball premierships.
The Demons were far too strong for Warrack Eagles in the grand final, winning by 23 goals.
Harrow-Balmoral earned back-to-back premierships and became the only team of the year to remain undefeated on its way to a flag.
The Roos were led brilliantly by dual league best and fairest Ebonie Salter all year.
They faced a tough and determined opponent in Natimuk United on grand final day, but were good enough to prevail by 10 goals.
All four teams were thoroughly deserving winners.
