Football
26 August, 2025
Stifling Demons too good for Cougars
Laharum’s seniors football side will continue their finals campaign, comprehensively defeating Kaniva Leeor United in Sunday’s elimination final.
The Demons kicked 12.13 (85) to Kaniva Leeor’s 3.7 (25).
Playing at North Park, Stawell, in warm, sunny conditions, Gerard Matthews got Laharum off to a hot start, kicking two goals in the opening seven minutes of the match.
Josh Clayton put the Cougars on the board shortly after, but another goal from Matthews, as well as Brodie Mines, saw the Demons lead 27-8 at the first break as they limited Kaniva Leeor’s forward-50 entries.
After a hard-fought opening to the second quarter, a Blake Dodson goal reduced the deficit to 12 for the Cougars, but goals to Matthews and Phil Butsch, as well as a tackle from behind by Alec McCallum to prevent a near-certain Jacob Eats goal, meant Laharum maintained control of the game.
A late-quarter goal to Kaniva’s Jock Maddern saw Laharum lead 42-22 at half-time.
Already missing Lochie Eats and Billy King to injury, the Cougars’ entered the second half without Clayton, who injured his hamstring in the first half.
After a goalless first 10 minutes, Josh Hutchinson kicked the first goal of the second half for the Demons, who continued to build their lead, going up 61-23 at the final break.
Laharum continued to limit Kaniva Leeor’s attacking opportunities, dominating territory and possession in the final quarter to close out the game and win by 60 points.
In the winning performance, Shannon Argall had a strong imprint on the game in the ruck and with his defensive marking, and Alec McCallum and Daniel Easson were vital contributors.
For Kaniva Leeor, halfback Blake Dodson was one of the best on the park, with Sam Vivian also impressing at half-forward.
Matthews led the scoring with four goals, with teammate Brodie Mines chiming in with three of his own.
Laharum co-coach Argall said an emphasis on enjoying the game was helpful in producing the performance.
“As a coaching group, we really reflected on what we needed to get the best out of the players,” Argall said.
“We have found that in the past, a sense of occasion has impacted on the players' readiness and decision making and so, for today, it was really a focus on – and it's a cliché – but it was about fun.
“It was about discipline, concentration, making sure that we just play with the ball really smoothly and just have fun, and taking it a notch back from super-super serious to bring the best out of players.
Asked about the side’s strong defence all game, Argall highlighted efforts from numerous players in helping minimise some of Kaniva Leeor’s key options.
“Ryan Thomas did a fantastic job on Jacob Eats,” Argall said.
“Jacob was always probably going to beat him in the air but Ryan really did a lot of work off the ball, and it was also the midfield, the wings and the half-forward pressure to make sure that it’s not going to him lace out.
“In the midfield, I thought Daniel Easson, Reuben Launder and Robbie Miller's accountability at midfield contests on Tyler Roos and also Josh Clayton was phenomenal.
“We knew that from watching the footage, Roos is a real architect of their game – give and go, give and go – so it was always making sure that we checked that run, that when he got it he didn't have space, couldn't do much with it.”
After coming up short in last year’s elimination final, Argall said the victory meant a lot to the club.
“We've come from some pretty challenging places; a couple of years ago, not a single win in the seniors, and for us in the last two years to play finals last year and this year to win a final, it's been a hell of a lot of work and it's something that we don't take for granted,” Argall said.
“It’s a really exciting reward for not only the playing list but the board, the volunteers, coaches, everyone.”
Laharum will now meet Pimpinio in semi-final one on Sunday at Cameron Oval to play for a spot in the preliminary final.
