IN-FORM Wimmera league team Southern Mallee Giants is set to host league-leaders Horsham in round 12.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both teams have enjoyed interesting seasons, the Giants have adapted well since jumping leagues while the Demons had an ideal start to its campaign.
It has been one of the closest seasons to date and with Ararat breathing down Demon necks, the travelling outfit must record a win against a Giants team which looks comfortable in its new habitat.
Giants coach Coleman Schache said the tightness of the league makes every quarter of football count.
“If you’re not on each week, it doesn’t matter what team it is, they will knock you off,” he said.
“It’s a good challenge and good fun.”
Demons defeated the Giants with relative ease in round three – under lights – at the Horsham City Oval, the Demons won 12.12 (84) to 7.7 (49).
“They touched us up pretty easily last time, hopefully we can reverse that, play good footy and keep some momentum going,” Schache said.
“They outspread us and worked harder than us. They’re a fit and quick side the Demons.”
Schache said young Lou White has been playing strong football in recent weeks.
“He’s finding some dangerous footy at the moment,” he said.
Demons coach Deek Roberts said a strong start to the season will help in the final seven rounds of the campaign, before finals.
“All that has done is given us some space between the other teams, but we know if we are off for one half of one game we will drop points,” he said.
“Hopefully we will be right up to scratch and can match it with the Giants this weekend.”
The Giants have one of the best lists of the Wimmera league in 2018 and Roberts said he could list every Giant as a top footballer.
“Last time we planned really well against the Giants and we will plan well again this week,” he said.
“We have to be playing well and stick to our plans to keep up with them.”
The Giants have a tendency to pepper the goals throughout the game and Roberts said, defensively, his team needs to prevent that.
“The biggest thing is tackle hard and be defensive and hopefully we can get the game on our sort of terms,” he said.
It looked likely experienced Demon duo John Wood and Jordy Burke would be back to full fitness to face the Giants.
Roberts said it will help the Demons cause if the team gets the services of the two key players.
“We should be getting back to where we want to be,” he said.