Football
24 July, 2025
Stawell look to flip result against Nhill
Although Nhill is a couple of games clear in second on the ladder, Stawell, third, will have their opportunity to show them they are just as big of a contender for the premiership when the sides play each other on Saturday.
The last time the sides met, Nhill recorded a 27-point victory, but Stawell will be looking to at least close the gap, if not flip that result, this time.
With just a couple of losses this season (to Ararat by 58 points and Dimboola by 74), Nhill is in a brilliant position heading into the pointy section of the season.
Stawell has a record of 7-5, having dropped matches to Ararat (96 points and 65 points), Minyip Murtoa (20), Nhill and the Thunder (nine).
Speaking to Wimmera Mallee News earlier in the week, co-coach Trevor Ryan said he hadn't put a lot of homework into the game at that point.
"We need to go out with the same attitude that we need to win the contested footy as much as we can and play the game in our half of the ground," Ryan said.
"Stawell is a good team, and they are all hard.
"And even the ones after that, there are no easy games in this competition, which is good.
"Stawell will present another challenge in itself, though."
Ryan said they would be looking to contain Stawell's forwards, who are important for their side.
"We'll also be trying to dominate the clearance side of the game though, so they aren't getting first look at the footy and they have to attempt to rebound from half back and win it that way," he revealed.
Those forwards, in Paul Summers and Cody Driscoll, are sitting first and fourth, respectively, in the leading goal kicking.
While Driscoll has booted 55 majors for the season, including six last week, Summers has scored 61, with five last week.
But Nhill also has its danger forward, with Drew Scheider having kicked 30 goals for the season and is sixth in the leading goal scoring.