THE Horsham Demons have claimed the minor premiership after they took on the hosting Warrack Eagles Saturday in the final round of the home and away season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Demons' co-coach Amanda Worthy said the minor premiership win was an unexpected surprise after Minyip-Murtoa fell to Ararat on Saturday.
"There was obviously bit of an upset between Ararat and Minyip-Murtoa," she said. "We found ourselves on top of the ladder, which was nice."
Worthy said it took a bit for the players to find their rhythm during Saturday's match, but they managed to hold the lead at the conclusion of each quarter.
"It was a good win again," she said.
"We'd have five minutes of good play then ten minutes where we'd kind of lose our way a bit during the first two quarters, then we settled a bit into the final two.
"Warrack is always tough to play against, so we always have a good hit out. They're a very good team. Our defensive pressure was really good throughout the day, and the second half was better than the first."
It was this second half show of strength that led the Demons to victory with 53 goals to the Eagles' 30.
"We took a bit of work to get our rhythm going but Georgia Hiscock and Faith McKenzie's defensive pressure in the ring was just outstanding all day," Worthy said.
"All over the court we made the Eagles really have to work hard to get that ball in, so that was really good.
"Emma Buwalda had a nice strong game as well, and she's always very reliable under the ring."
There was a bit to think about when heading into the finals, Worthy said.
"We've had a couple of tough games with the teams in the first five, which is a nice way to finish off the season, playing against a tough opposition," she said.
"It's really important trying to get those four quarters of consistency heading into the finals."
In Ararat, Rats' coach Taylor Mason said a different approach helped the side win against Minyip-Murtoa.
"We warmed up fantastically - that's something we haven't done throughout the year," she said.
"With the warm-up today the intensity was there. As soon as that first whistle blew we were straight off the mark and got a first turnover from Minyip-Murtoa. From there we just ran with it. We were really happy."
An early lead propelled the team to keep pushing and Mason said she hopes to replicate it when the two sides meet in the qualifying final next week.
RELATED: Undefeated Burras' reign cemented in
"I definitely think that steady start is what's going to win the game when we come up to them again next week."
