Sport
7 August, 2026
Demons secure top spot
LISMORE/Derrinallum was challenged by finals contender Hawkesdale/Macarthur in the round 14 Mininera and District senior football match on Saturday.
Just six points up at the last change, the Demons kicked six goals to one in the last quarter to run out 13.13.91 to 8.6.54 winners at the Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve.
“It was a really good contest, they’ve definitely improved since we last played them in round three (when Lismore/Derrinallum had a 73 point win),” Demons coach Alec Wiltshire said.
“There was a scoring end and we kicked with it in the second and fourth quarters, but at three-quarter time the game definitely could have gone either way.”
Missing prime movers Austin Humphrey, who signed on for the 2027 season during the week, and Henry Walsh, Wiltshire was thrilled with how his team found a way to win.
“The ground was really heavy and the match was really in the balance,” he said.
“Our boys showed some real ticker and character to grit their teeth, dig deep and kick six goals in that last quarter.”
The win secures top spot for Lismore/Derrinallum with two rounds still to play.
Wiltshire was full of praise for the game of Kaleb McIlveen, playing his first year of Australian Rules football, for his role in filling in for Walsh in the ruck.
“He rucked for the majority of the day, it’s hard to tell people it’s his first year of footy because he just keeps getting better and better.
“He was one that really caught the eye and stepped up to the occasion.”
Spearhead Lachie Constable bagged eight goals to take his season total to 87.
“There was a funny moment after the game (being the Worksafe game), Tom Boyd presented the medal to Lachie and said “Oh mate, you’re actually not that big are you.”” Wiltshire laughed.
“He went up against two for most of the day, he aced his timing, I don’t think we win the game unless he plays.”
Max McIntosh continued his good form to be named best for the Demons.
“Max is a bloke that likes congestion and can get out of those tight spaces.
“He just gave us first use to the footy, put his head over it all day, created plenty of drive and hit the scoreboard himself. He kicked a really important goal in the second quarter to really get us going.”
This week Lismore/Derrinallum hosts Great Western at the Lismore Recreation Reserve.
“They’ve challenged a few teams close to them, so if they bring their best we will have to be on our game.
“We can’t afford to take the foot off the pedal going into finals, every game from now on is pretty important for us.”
The reserves match saw Lismore/Derrinallum score a 7.6.48 to 5.5.35 win.
Brock Reid, Tyla Reid, Jackson Davies, Jason Germon, Fraser Toohey and Jack Sanders were best for the Demons, with Andrew Parkinson kicking three goals, Sanders two and Riley Browne two.
The under 17 football saw Hawkesdale/Macarthur have a 6.5.41 to 1.2.8 win.
Jackson Davies, Austin Price, Campbell Greig, Laine Scott, Tyler Daffy and Fletcher Greig were best for Lismore/Derrinallum in the loss.
In the under 13 football, Lismore/Derrinallum recorded an 8.5.53 to 1.1.7 win.
Eddie Gellie, Patrick Greig, Emmett Henderson, Christopher Cronly, Leroy Fisher and Angus Moyle were the best for the junior Demons, with Gellie kicking three goals.
The A grade netball saw Hawkesdale/Macarthur take the points with a 48-29 win.
Alex Sheridan and Eliza O'Neil were Lismore/Derrinallum’s best in the loss.
Hawkesdale/Macarthur also took out the B grade game with a 38-32 win.
Best for the Demons were Grace Coker and Lauren McLennan, with Bridgette Filbay shooting 17 goals and McLennan 15.
The C grade game ended in a 30-22 win to Lismore/Derrinallum, with Simone Gellie, Ruby Walsh and Grace Simpson best for the Demons.
The 17 and under netball saw Lismore/Derrinallum score a 21-17 win.
Lila Horspole, Sophie Fay and Tash Henderson were best for Lismore/Derrinallum, with Lacey Grundmann shooting seven goals.
There was no 15 and under netball with Hawkesdale/Macarthur not fielding a team.
The 13 and under game saw Hawkesdale/Macarthur score a 23-14 win.
Eliza Kerr, Matilda Henderson and Georgia Mulraney were best for the junior Demons, with Alexis Henderson shooting 10 goals and Evie Mitchell four.
Read More: Derrinallum, Lismore