General News
22 October, 2026
Simple strategy sees Rhonda claim $2500 tipping competition
After 218 games, including a memorable grand final, a winner has been crowned in the Wimmera Mallee News’ 2026 footy tipping competition.
With 163 correct tips, Rhonda Whitford held on to claim the first prize sponsored by Helloworld Travel Horsham, a $2500 trip for two to the Gold Coast.
The Hopetoun tipster said her success came from no complicated formulas or lucky rituals, just a simple strategy that worked each week.
“I pretty much stuck [with] the favourites all the time,” she said.
“So I didn’t tip Essendon or Richmond much this year.”
It proved effective, with Rhonda spending much of the season near the top of the leaderboard before taking out the competition.
Rhonda said she had participated in an Essendon tipping competition each year before she came across another on Facebook.
“So I might as well have a go at that too,” she said.
“I didn’t even know what the prizes were.”
By grand final day, however, Rhonda knew she was one tip ahead of eventual second-place finisher Anthony Schache.
She watched the game at home with family who were visiting during the school holidays, but her confidence disappeared when Fremantle hit the lead.
“I gave up when Freo hit the lead,” she said.
“I thought, ‘No, that’s it.’”
One ill-fated ‘Wharfie Time’ later, and Rhonda claimed the top prize.
Exactly when she will take the trip remains to be decided.
“I’ll have to check the calendar,” she said.
Finding a gap means working around midweek bowls as well as racehorses, in which she holds several shares.
For now, however, the biggest reward may be closer to home.
“I’m pretty rapt, and I’ve got bragging rights,” Rhonda said.
It just the inaugural year, Wimmera Mallee News general manager Kirsten Ridgeway said more than 160 people entered the free tipping competition.
“For the first year of the competition, we were really pleased to have 165 people take part,” she said.
“It gives us a strong base to build on and shows there is plenty of interest in the community.”
Helloworld Travel Horsham owner Chris Buwalda said he was rapt with how well the first season developed.
“We were really pleased with how the competition went in its first year,” he said.
“We’re proud to have supported something that created plenty of interest and engagement across the season.”