Football
19 April, 2024
Thunder ready for debut
The Southern Mallee Thunder face the Warrack Eagles at Sir Robert Menzies Park in their debut match in the Wimmera Football Netball League in round one tomorrow.
Following the amalgamation between Jeparit Rainbow Storm and Southern Mallee Giants, the wait is finally here for the club and they are itching to get into the season.
President Lucas Edelsten said everyone can't wait to begin.
"There is plenty of optimism getting around and everyone is chomping at the bit to get out there," Edelsten said.
"Everyone has done a good job in making this as good as it can be and it's exciting and we are excited about what can happen this year."
The Eagles have brought back Matt Walder, their 2002 premiership coach and improvement is expected.
Kyle Cheney again returns to the team as well as five new exciting recruits from South Australia.
Jayke Hellmanns, Tyson Hunt, Jai Kovatseff, John Martin and Machok Garang are the five coming from South Australia.
Hellmanns is a big-bodied midfielder/forward, Kovatseff and Martin will bring grunt to the midfield, Hunt is a key back and Garang is an athletic ruckman.
Minyip Murtoa faces Nhill at the Minyip Recreation Reserve with two new coaches set to lead the respective teams. The Burra have brought in Gareth Hose whilst Nhill is excited about Jake McQueen leading the team.
Tim and Ben McIntyre have come across from Edenhope Apsley, Nick Cushing from Redan and Dusty Cross from Kangaroo Island, the latter playing under Hose when he coached Noradjuha Quantong.
Among Nhill's recruits are Daniel Batson from Robinvale-Euston in the Sunraysia League, Dylan Ridding from Gaza Eagles in the Adelaide League and Peter Politis from the Northern Territory.
Jake Harrap has returned to the club following a stint in South Australia. As a former best and fairest winner, he will slot back into the midfield.
McQueen has played VFL for Essendon and has had stints in the TAC Cup and Ovens and Murray League and is well credentialled to guide the senior team into their next journey.
Ararat will look to bounce back from their Good Friday loss against the Warriors when they host Horsham at Alexandra Oval.
The Demons have brought back Jordy Burke as coach.
Ryan Kemp has returned to the club and they have also secured Jasper and Harvey Gunn, Corey Williams and Hugo Papst. Matt Long has come to the club from South Bendigo and is a wingman/forward and durable four-time premiership player Bronson Durack is also new at the club.
The Horsham Saints host an improved Stawell in the match of the round at Coughlin Park.
Nathan Koenig has come across from Natimuk United and will strengthen their forward line. Another strength in their forward line will be teenager Fredrick Frew from Pimpinio who has played plenty of senior football over the last two years and knows how to find the goals.
Alexander McRae, a former assistant coach has come back from Kalkee and will strengthen the backline.
Corey Morgan has come across from Minyip Murtoa and provides leadership and quality to a young midfield contingent ready to explode whilst Bailey Taylor is also making waves after coming across from Stawell.
Dimboola has the bye.