Sport
6 August, 2025
Summers and Williams shine in Warriors win
Sam Williams has increased his Toohey Medal chances, and Paul Summers his goal-kicking lead, helping guide the Stawell Warriors to a 34-point win over the Horsham Demons at Horsham City Oval in round 15 of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
Both players were sensational, with Summers kicking seven goals and Williams kicking three from the midfield as the Warriors ran out 16.17.113 to 12.7.79 winners.
The Demons troubled the Warriors early in a high-scoring quarter where nine goals were scored, but it was the Warriors who took a 10-point lead into quarter-time.
The Demons, with nothing to lose, continued to throw everything at Stawell, reducing the margin to five points at half-time, with an upset a high possibility.
The Warriors came out after half-time with fire in their belly, responding to James Sullivan’s spray, kicking six goals to lead by 34 points at the final break.
The Demons never gave up, and fought hard to the end, but the Warriors were too strong, not only running out winners, but keeping their advantage over the chasers in third position on the ladder.
Cody Driscoll continued his good season with three goals, while Aiden Graveson was the other player with multiple goals, kicking two.
Aiden Graveson, Zachary Marrow, Owen Summers and Koby Stewart were also named among the best players with Williams and Summers.
Warriors coach James Sullivan said the belief the group has when challenged is strong.
“We have been focusing on four quarters, and in saying that, we back our system and fitness to get the job done when we are challenged,” Sullivan said.
“I think there have been a few games, especially against Dimboola earlier in the year, where the players got belief and believe we can win and back our systems and back the footy we want to play and our gameplan.
“The systems keep developing week to week, and it’s not a finished product, but the players have the belief regardless of the game situation.”
Summers’ seven goals move him to 68 for the season, 13 clear of Jack Ganley in second. With two games to go and potentially two finals, he has a slim chance to make it back-to-back century seasons.
“Paul has been great for us, and we were happy to get him back to the Warriors,” Sullivan said.
“He works hard and works on his forward craft a lot and deserves every accolade, and he continues to get better.”
Midfielder Sam Williams has continued to get better as the season goes on, now hitting the scoreboard, having kicked three, following two against Nhill the week before.
“Sam has led from the front and had a massive pre-season, and he has been in really good form,” Sullivan said.
“He is starting to hit the scoreboard from the midfield group, and his work rate and leadership have been massive. He has stepped up when the game has been in the balance, and I hope he will be up there in the voting for the Toohey medal.”
Stawell will look to continue their winning ways when they host Dimboola tomorrow at Central Park.
Defender Hayden Hamilton will return to strengthen the backline. Jackson Calder is in fine form for Dimboola, kicking 14 goals two weeks ago, and Sullivan said limiting his supply is the key.
“We have a couple of plans for him,” Sullivan said.
“If we can limit the supply to him, that is the main thing we will be focusing on. Earlier in the year, they got on top, and then in the second half, we got on top in the midfield and limited the ball that went to him.”
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