Sport
5 August, 2026
Mounties advance to Grand Final
Last Sunday in the ADJFA, in perfect sunny conditions for footy with a slight breeze favouring the town end of the ground, the Mounties advanced to their second grand final in two years with a 23-point win over the Warriors.
The difference between the two teams was that when Mounties had the wind, they kicked three quick goals at the start of the game, which the Warriors were unable to make up despite a spirited last-quarter comeback. This now sees Mounties into next week’s grand final against the Bombers, which will start at 10.00 am.
Once again, thanks to our hard-working ground staff, the Richardson Oval was in magnificent condition and looked a picture with the grass mowed crossways. The game was well attended by parents and supporters, and we hope a large crowd will attend this Sunday morning to cheer on the kids.
The game started with the Mounties kicking to the town end, and they had three goals on the board in the first five minutes before the Warriors could get into the play. This included nice snapshot goals to Brax Cameron, Luca Jeffery and Ace Cocks. The Warriors were breaking down across centre half-forward and, with Alana Matulick doing a good job across half-back, the Mounties had a handy 20-point lead at the first break.
The second quarter saw the Warriors have plenty of the ball in their forward line, but could only manage one goal after great play from Mason Thomas in the forward pocket saw Hamish Sladdin goal from the goal square. The Warriors were a bit unlucky when a long shot hit the post, but were still well in the game.
The third quarter started when a lovely handball from Zaiden McIntosh to Luca Jeffery resulted in another Mounties goal. Hunter Newberry added another, and late in the quarter, Zaiden McIntosh put the Mounties 36 points up, which was going to make it a hard task for the Warriors in the last quarter, even though they had the wind.
The Warriors then played their best footy for the day and, with goals to Charlie Beer and Jhett Turner, looked a chance. If some of the seven behinds they added had been goals, it may have been an exciting finish.
Then came the play of the day when young Ash Cameron came off the interchange bench and immediately found himself alone 30 metres out from goal. He ran in and sealed the game to see the Mounties advance to the grand final.
Big thanks to our umpires, Harry Ganley and Jim Jennings from the Ararat Rats, who did a great job, and Luke Roberts and Josh McDougall, who volunteered to goal umpire.
Results – Preliminary Final
Mounties 7.7.49 def Warriors 3.8.26
BEST:
Mounties: Kye Rimmell, Flynn McMahon, Luca Jeffery, Hunter Newberry, Ace Cocks.
Warriors: Jhett Turner, William Jarrett, Toby Rameka-Matthews, Jaxon Foster, Ezekyal Turner, Charlie Beer.
GOALS:
Mounties: Luca Jeffery 2, Asher Cameron 1, Braxton Cameron 1, Ace Cocks 1, Zaiden McIntosh 1, Hunter Newberry 1.
Warriors: Charlie Beer 1, Hamish Sladdin 1, Jhett Turner 1.
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