Sport
24 September, 2025
Warriors cap off tremendous year
Despite losing by 26 goals to the Horsham Demons in the Wimmera Football Netball League grand final at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal last Saturday, the Stawell Warriors’ 13-and-under netballers made their club and town proud.
It was always going to be a tough encounter against the benchmark of the competition, but the Warriors were on top early, taking a one-goal lead into quarter-time.
The Demons started to stamp their authority in the second quarter, and despite needing to shuffle players around, the Warriors fought well to trail by seven goals at half-time.
The Demons put the game to bed in the third quarter, scoring 12 goals to three to lead by 16 before running out 45-19 winners.
Luella Burke scored 29 goals for the Demons, with Jayda Hallam scoring 16. Lexi Kleinitz was also one of their best players.
Rahni Collins starred for the Warriors with 12 goals, with Milla Freeland scoring seven. Mia Bailey was also one of their best players.
It was a massive effort for Stawell to make the grand final, with netball dominated by the two Horsham teams over recent years. The Stawell 13-and-under and C-Reserve netballers were the only two non-Horsham teams in the grand finals, which shows the feat they both made this year.
Coach of the 13-and-under, Madi Freeland, said she was incredibly proud of her team.
“Horsham has been the dominant team all year, and they are an awesome team with good depth, and I was very proud of our team for getting there,” Freeland said.
“To defeat Horsham Saints the week before was like a grand final. They have worked hard and finished top two all year, so I am so very proud of them.
“I told them on Thursday that I am a winner with the team that I have, and I wasn’t going to swap any players for any of them.”
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