Sport
8 July, 2026
Thunder back on winners' list
Southern Mallee are back on the winners' list after claiming the four points over Minyip Murtoa on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, coaching director Jake Bridges said he wasn't happy with their defeat by Nhill in the prior round and they would learn from the result.
Clearly, they did just that, recording a 7.5 (47) to 16.13 (109) win over their opposition.
The Thunder held a commanding lead of 21 points at the end of the first quarter, before leading 4.2 (26) to 10.9 (69) at half-time.
They then held the Burras to just a point in the third while adding a further 2.2 to their tally.
Minyip Murtoa had their best quarter in the final term, booting 3.2, but the Thunder were also able to score, adding another 4.2 to claim the 62-point win.
Better players for the home side at Murtoa Recreation Reserve included Jack Boschen, Lachlan Johns and Oscar Gawith, with Samuel Griffiths and Tim Mackenzie each contributing a couple of goals.
For the winners, Jai Kennealy, Matty Lloyd and Simon Clugston were in form, with Bailey Edwards booting six goals and Lloyd five.
The Thunder are third on the ladder after round 11, with a record of 7-3 and at 137.40 per cent.
They sit one win behind ladder leaders Ararat (8-2, 177.36pc) and Horsham Saints (8-2, 147.23pc), and are on equal points with Stawell (7-3, 128.40pc).
The ladder positions make for a potential blockbuster clash next round when the Thunder host the Saints at Sir Robert Menzies Park.
When the sides last played in round three, it was the Thunder who claimed the four points, 6.7 (43) to 6.17 (53).
In that game, Sam Clyne and Will Brennan (Saints) and Edward Lindon and Matty Lloyd (Thunder) were the better players.