While the eventual 71-25 scoreline wasn’t pretty, Rats coach Jess Brady said her side came away with a couple of positives from the match. 

“We’re really starting to see some of the things that we’re working on at training happen sometimes,” the A grade coach said. 

The Rats trailed Horsham by 18 goals in the opening stanza and the home side extended its lead to 30 at half time. Ararat did manage to fight back in the final term, with Maddi Batchelor and Zara Thompson firing five goals each, although in the end it was the Demons that came away 46-goal victors.

A highlight for the Rats was the performance of defender Monique Scott. Scott plays predominantly in wing defence when in the senior squad, although she was moved into goal defence for three quarters in the absence of Rebecca Skrabl. 

Scott has also been featuring in the midcourt and defence positions in the 17 and under Wimmera squad.

“Monique did a great job,” Brady said.

“She’s played on Emma Buwalda (Horsham Demons’ goal attack) for years in juniors and wasn’t totally out of her depth.” 

Breeanna Toomey received Rats’ best on court for her goal keeping effort. Toomey played the whole match in the keeper position and was tested by Georgia Hiscock and Buwalda.

Meanwhile the task doesn’t get easier for the Rats, who travel to Murtoa this Saturday to take on second placed Minyip-Murtoa. 

Brady said her side will continue to concentrate on keeping its court open and work on timing in and out of attack.  

Defender Rebecca Skrabl will again miss Saturday’s clash with an ankle injury, and is expected to return after the June 11 bye. 

Ararat’s B grade side remains undefeated on top of the ladder after it recorded a 68-35 win against Horsham.

It was a pleasing team effort and the girls supported each other throughout the match. 

Justine May was awarded best on court for her performance in defence. She was strong under the ring at goal keeper, pulling in numerous rebounds for her side and sending the ball back down into its attacking end. 

In C grade, Rats’ Emily Borrelli and Georgia Fleming successfully combined in the ring as the visitors claimed 30-23 victory.