Sport

29 April, 2026

Demons fight hard for the win

TIMBOON returned to the winners list on Saturday with a seven-point win over the in-form Old Collegians in the round three Warrnambool and District senior football match.

Old Collegians kicked eight goals to five in a high scoring first quarter, with the Demons getting the lead in the second term on their way to winning 15.11.101 to 14.10.94.

“In the first quarter I still felt like we were playing well, we just missed a couple of easy opportunities, and they obviously took theirs,” Timboon coach Andrew Hargreaves said.

“I thought that we were actually playing well and just needed to tidy it up a little bit around the middle of the ground which we did.”

The Demons gained control through the second and third quarters, going into the last quarter with a two-goal lead.

Hargreaves was thrilled with his team’s response after Old Collegians kicked the first two goals of the last quarter to draw level.

“They got three centre clearances in a row and kicked two, then it was locked in their forward 50 for a bit, then we were able to transition from one end to the other and kick a goal.

“So every time they sort of looked like they were getting a run on in the last, we seemed to find an answer which is a good sign of maturity for our group, because that sort of thing hasn’t happened in the past especially against a top team like that.”

Recruit Tarkyn Love stood up in his third game for Timboon, bagging six goals.

“Tarkyn has been a very good recruit for us, he’s only 19 but he’s a big boy, he’s got very good hands, and he’s pretty mobile for his size, so he really straightens us up a bit.

“He gives us flexibility with other players in our team too, to move them around and give us good options.”

Bayley Thompson was hugely influential in the win and was named as the Demons best.

“Bayley was clearly the difference in the game.

“He took a few centre bounces early, but then would drift forward straight away, so predominantly played as a forward, he kicked five goals and had 30 possessions playing as a forward, he was outstanding.”

Ruckman Jack Matthews was second best for a breakout game.

“Jack’s had a good start to the season, he’s a 20 year-old kid who’s learnt his trade under Barney (retired ruckman Marcus Hickey) the last few years.

“Last year he was in a bit, but with Barney being so dominant, he didn’t get as much game time as he would’ve liked, so he was happy to go play reserves at the back end of the year just to play full games, which has probably helped his development a bit.

“Then this year with Barney retiring, he’s taken on the number one ruck role, he’s clearly got a bright future, he’s very athletic, he can jump and run around the ground well, he rucked all game on Saturday without a spell so he’s got good endurance.”

Hargreaves also was full of praise for Archie Dalziel.

“Archie tagged Sam McKinnon who’s their most damaging player, Sam kicked the first goal of the game, and then Archie completely shut him out of the game.

“Archie followed him in the midfield, he followed him when he went forward, he did a good job and ended up with 17 tackles himself, as soon as he got the ball, Archie was there, and he got no flow into his game.”

This week is another big test for the Demons, taking on Allansford who sit on top of the ladder with a percentage of 555 at Allansford.

In the reserves football, Old Collegians had a 15-point win, 5.5.35 to 3.2.20.

Nathan Ellemor kicked two goals and Thomas Hunt one, with Connor Duro, Jake Robbins and Jasper Makin the Demons best.

The under 18.5 game saw Timboon score a 39-point win, 11.12.78 to 6.3.39.

Thomas Ryan, Rory Roberts and Oliver Makin were best in the win, with Harvey Redshaw kicking three goals and Ryan two.

Old Collegians were too strong in the under 16 game, registering a 14.9.93 to 1.2.8 win.

Alby Jones, Jed Watson and Joseph Hider were best for the under 16 Demons in the loss, with Ben Vogels kicking the lone goal.

The under 13.5 football saw Old Collegians record an 8.5.53 to 0.2.2 win.

Benjamin Newton, Baylie Turner and Harry Kuhl were best for the junior Demons in the loss.

WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE

ROUND 3
SENIOR FOOBALL
TIMBOON v OLD COLLEGIANS
Timboon 15.11 (101) defeated Old Collegians 14.10 (94)

Best Players:
Timboon: Bayley Thompson, Jack Matthews, Archie Dalziel, Tarkyn Love, Benjamin Saunders, Eddie Gaut
Old Collegians: Harry White, Jacob Brooks, Samuel McKinnon, Matt Petherick, Bailey Brooks, Jake Dowell

Goal Kickers:
Timboon: Tarkyn Love 6, Bayley Thompson 5, Oscar Norman 2, Ned Deppler, Eddie Gaut
Old Collegians: Jacob Hetherington 3, Jake Dowell 2, Harry White 2, Connor Barby, Cohan Boyle, Jayden Cleaver, Jarryd Cust, Isaiah Frith, Samuel McKinnon, Jonty West

The A grade netball saw Old Collegians win 56-40.

Laura Rosolin, Brianna Gass and Ruby Jones were best for Timboon in the loss, with Rosolin shooting 26 goals and Gass 14.

Danica Clough, who coached Timboon in 2025, was best for Old Collegians in her first game against her old club.

The A reserve game ended in a 37-37 draw.

Tanya McKenzie, Kira Gordon and Lexci Nicholas were best for the Demons, with Hannah Maxwell scoring 22 goals.

The B grade game saw a 31-28 win for Old Collegians.

Rachel Richardson, Ally McLennan and Rachel Newey were best for Timboon, with Sarah Brown scoring 18 goals.

Old Collegians scored a 33-23 win in the 17 and under netball.

Best for the Demons were Taya Hanegraaf, Ruby Jones and Olivia Benson, with Ella Drayton scoring 10 goals and Meg Duro eight.

The 15 and under game saw Timboon have a strong 34-9 win.

Elise Quarrell, Imogen Woods and Ellen Whiting were best for the Demons, with Indii Mckenzie shooting 15 goals and Imogen Woods 12.

The 13 and under netball saw Timboon have a 32-6 win.

Jordy Lenehan, Isla Davis and Milla Loughnan were best for the Demons, with Elizabeth Plozza scoring 15 goals and Grace Richardson 12.

Timboon had a 18-3 win in the 11 and under game.

Best for the Demons were Lexi Collins, Kyah Collins and Olive Doolan, with Gretel Hollick and Lexi Collins scoring eight goals each.

WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE

ROUND 3
A GRADE NETBALL
TIMBOON v OLD COLLEGIANS
Timboon 40 lost to Old Collegians 56

Best Players:
Timboon: Laura Rosolin, Brianna Gass, Ruby Jones
Old Collegians: Danica Clough, Kate Martin, Tamara Bull

Goal Shooters:
Timboon: Laura Rosolin 26, Brianna Gass 14
Old Collegians: Maggie Kline 25, Chelsea Quinn 16, Paige Lenehan 10, Kate Martin 5