Rats assistant coach Harry Ganley said the Demons started well but Ararat was able to \u2018wear them down over four quarters\u2019.<\/p>\n
Weather conditions contributed to Ararat\u2019s inaccuracy in front of goals, with the Rats kicking 3.13 in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that was just to the conditions. It really started raining quite heavily so it was difficult to kick it through the big sticks. I think we won the inside 50s by 43, so we dominated possession, but just couldn\u2019t put it on the scoreboard,\u201d Ganley said<\/p>\n
Full-back James Jennings, along with midfielders Jake Robinson and Ben Taylor were named best for the Rats, along with coach Tom Williamson.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen was really good in the contest and Jake Robinson was a bit of a tackling machine over the weekend,\u201d Ganley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJim Jennings intercepted everything and beat his man convincingly \u2013 he\u2019s a big leader down there \u2013 and then obviously Tom Williamson was the standout. He played a great game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ganley said the Rats\u2019 side looked different to last year\u2019s premiership team, and he expected about six to eight players to return from injury this season.<\/p>\n
Players such as last year\u2019s Wimmera league best under-21 player Sonny Kettle, who injured his shoulder in the 2025 preliminary final requiring surgery, is still about six weeks away from playing. \u201cNaish McRoberts didn\u2019t play on the weekend, Brayden Draffin didn\u2019t play, Jacob Bates didn\u2019t play, so we\u2019ve got quite a large injury list at the moment,\u201d Ganley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut \u200ano one\u2019s out for the season, so we should get everyone back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we\u2019re not playing our best footy, but we\u2019re doing enough at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ganley said he expected the Thunder to be a big test this weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think win, lose, or draw, it\u2019ll just be great to really see where we\u2019re at and areas for improvement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we\u2019re not playing for the premiership at the moment \u2013 that comes down the track \u2013 so it\u2019ll just be really good to see where we\u2019re at and a good challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got another couple injuries from the weekend, so personnel changes again, but the guys coming into the side have really been taking their opportunities and standing up, so it\u2019ll be really interesting to see how we go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson Hoffmann, Harvey Gunn and Jordy Schmidt were named best for the Demons, who now turn their attention to this weekend\u2019s match against Warrack Eagles, who are coming off a bye.<\/p>\n
Former Essendon star Dyson Heppell will play for the Demons in a one-off appearance, with a big crowd expected at Horsham City Oval to see the popular former AFL superstar.<\/p>\n
The closest game of round five ended up with Horsham Saints scoring a two-point win over Minyip-Murtoa.<\/p>\n
Once again well-led by captain Mitch Martin, the Saints got out to a 17-point lead by half-time, and held strong in the third term to be in front by 19 points at the last change.<\/p>\n
But the Burras came home strong, kicking the last four goals of the match to nearly snatch the win.<\/p>\n
With Rory Taggert, Jacob O\u2019Beirne and Jack Henry in the best, the Saints held on to a 51-49 win. For the Burras, Tim Mackenzie, Brazer Mckenzie and Nick Cushing were best.<\/p>\n
Minyip-Murtoa now face another sizeable test this Saturday at Murtoa, playing Stawell, which achieved a confidence-boosting win over Nhill. The Tigers were two points in front at half-time, with the margin just five points in Nhill\u2019s favour at the last change.<\/p>\n
But the home side came home with the wind in its sails, booting 4.5 to Nhill\u2019s 1.2 in the final term to take a 81-65 win.<\/p>\n
Sunny Brazier, Josh Fowkes and Zac Marrow impressed for Stawell, while Nhill\u2019s best were Liam Albrecht, Lucas Dahlenburg and Matt Kennedy.<\/p>\n
Nhill host Dimboola in round six, and will expect to return to the winners\u2019 list.<\/p>\n
The Roos come off a 96-point drubbing against Southern Mallee Thunder, struggling to make a difference on the scoreboard, kicking just one goal for the match.<\/p>\n
The Thunder dominated the match, especially through the likes of Queensland recruit Bailey Edwards, who booted five goals, along with top players Coleman Schache, Matty and Billy Lloyd.<\/p>\n