Football
3 June, 2025
Kaniva too strong for Pimpinio on historic day
Kaniva Leeor capped off a monumental day with a comprehensive seniors football victory over Pimpinio on Saturday in round eight of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The final score was 21.17 (143) to 8.6 (54).
The home side celebrated a 40-year reunion of their 1985 premiership side, which included four-time AFL premiership-winning coach Alistair Clarkson.
Kaniva came out motivated, racing to a 55-6 lead in the first quarter before entering half-time with a 66-point lead, and maintained their stronghold of the game in the second half.
Jonno Hicks, coach of Kaniva, was pleased with how the midfield group matched up with Pimpinio.
“We made sure we put in work against their midfield, and they’ve got some quality around the ball that gets really dangerous in their forward half,” Hicks said.
“Our midfield group was fantastic and the run and direction off halfback is getting better all the time.
“It was a real team performance and a game where the attitude of the boys was really up and about for this one, and from the first bounce that really showed, which was great.”
Lochie Eats and returnee Billy King were best on ground for Kaniva Leeor, while Brock Hamerston and Mackay Baker were Pimpinio’s best.
Jacob Eats continued his strong goalscoring season, adding nine to take his season tally to 38.
Jason Westley led Pimpinio with three goals.
Hicks acknowledged the significance of the day for the club and how the team lifted for the occasion.
“It's been a big buildup and one we've been working towards for a few weeks,” Hicks said.
“The ‘85 premiership group was a really close-knit group and they always come back and support the club really well, so we knew it was an important weekend for them and our club.
“The boys were really keen to try to set the tone early, and with it also being Jonty Brown's 200th game, who has been an unbelievable servant for our football club, it was important that we owed him a good performance on the day.”
In an otherwise great day for the club, young gun Xavier Stimson, who also captains the club’s under 17s side, broke his leg and is likely to be out for the remainder of the season.
The result has Kaniva Leeor remaining sixth while Pimpinio are fifth on the league ladder.