Sport
11 September, 2025
Thunder fight back to seal victory
Southern Mallee Thunder are the first side to book their place in the Wimmera Football Netball League grand final in a fortnight.
It comes after they defeated the minor premiers in Ararat in the second semi on Saturday.
In a game that had plenty of fire and passion, plus a few changes in lead, the Thunder prevailed 11.14 (80) to 11.7 (73).
Kieran Delahunty's men were up by just a couple of points at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to a brilliant start to Sam White, who found the big sticks twice in under a couple of minutes midway into the first quarter, and a Sonny Kettle goal on the siren.
That lead to the Thunder grew to 22 points heading into half-time as Ararat were held goaless for the quarter while Reid Polak, Thomas Clark and Angus Dewar found the goals for their team.
The swirling wind didn't assist Ararat in their plight to score, along with the defensive pressure from the Thunder.
Both sides were also involved in a melee during the quarter which resulted in Ararat co-coach Tom Williamson being carded.
After a free kick, this created a goal for the Thunder, before another free kick before the bounce in the centre resulted in a follow-up major to the Thunder.
But not down and out after the big break, Ararat began to dominate the centre clearances, 6-1, and as a result kicked six goals after half-time before the Thunder were able to register their first for the quarter.
Jackson Fisher was the player to goal for the Thunder about 24 minutes in but then Ararat found further goals in Sonny Kettle and Luke Spalding to earn a 20-point lead going into the final quarter.
Enter Jackson Fisher, just three minutes into the final quarter, Coleman Schache barely 60 seconds later and then Reid Polak and the difference was only a couple of points with a charging Thunder determined to claim a grand final place.
Matthew Spalding managed a goal against the grain for Ararat but Kai Sheers and Rupert Sangster made the most of opportunities and ultimately led the Thunder to their win.
Despite a good start and being up a couple of points at the end of the first quarter, coach of the Thunder, Kieran Delahunty, said they didn't kick that accurately in the opening quarter.
"I felt like we should have been a bit further in front and left a couple of goals out there," Delahunty said.
"But in saying that, to obviously go in with a lead at quarter-time was a good start and we were able to build on that in the second."
Contending with a swirling wind, Delahunty said they made the most of opportunities more so in the second than the first quarter.
"In the first quarter we missed some getable ones but in the second we started to convert despite the wind going across the ground, and it swirled at different times.
"All in all it was a highly intense game."
Delahunty wasn't naive enough to think Ararat wouldn't come at his side and after half-time they did exactly that.
The coach said the opposition had a fantastic quarter of footy while the Thunder struggled to get their hands on it.
"They beat us out of the middle," Delahunty reflected.
"I thought we had to rectify that going into the fourth quarter if we were going to come home with the victory."
Despite being 20 points down to the minor premiers, Delahunty said his team were full of belief that they could claim that grand final position heading into the last quarter.
"In all of our games the past couple of months, our last quarters have been a real strength," he said.
"We all feel like we are fit and we can run out games well.
"I think the boys had that belief that it certainly wasn't over until the final siren and the closing aspect was to finish off the way we did."
It was a game, Delahunty said, that could have easily gone either way, and he added it was nice to be on the good side of the ledger.
"It's a great feeling to get to a third grand final but we certainly know the job is only half done and we will go to work the next couple of weeks and make sure we are physically prepared to go, ready to take on whoever it is, whether it be Ararat or Nhill," he said.
Delahunty acknowledged that a lot of players stood up for the Thunder on Saturday, contributing well throughout the game.
"Coleman Schache, he has had a good month and a good match on Saturday," Delahunty said.
"Lou White stands up and does some things that go unnoticed, and I though the pressure with tackles from Kai Sheers was good."
The Thunder will spend a couple of days focusing on recovery before having a good hitout on both Thursday and Saturday.
But he said they had earned the week off and it would give them the chance to refresh their bodies.
"We've had eight games in a row and there were some sore boys who will relish a week off, and then we'll be cherry-ripe for a fortnight's time," he said.
