A BUMP that resulted in Harry Ganley being knocked unconscious and a 16-point loss, soured Ararat’s final Wimmera Football League home-and-away clash against Horsham Demons.
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Demons co-coach Nick Pekin received a red card and was reported for late front-on contact for the incident that left Ganley unable to take any further part in Saturday’s match.
It was played with a finals-type intensity, however Ararat once again failed to overcome Horsham for the third time this season.
Rats coach David Hosking remained positive despite the 16-point loss in a high scoring affair.
“What we know is that we’re not far away,” he said.
“We just have to be able to be able to put together four quarters of football and not let things distract us like they did on the weekend.”
Hosking was referring to the bump on Ganley, which left his team-mates rattled for the remainder of the match.
“It’s the type of behaviour that we’ve come to expect from Horsham Football Club. When Horsham do those things, we’ve got to ready for it and not let it get to us. The players were pretty annoyed,” he said.
Hosking welcomed the use of the red card in football.
“This is where the game has evolved,” he said.
“Pekin took a player down and then sits out the rest of the match himself. It’s only fair.”
Ararat did manage to stay in the game following the incident. The Rats were just three points down at quarter time although they did miss opportunities to take the lead. “We should have been three goals up,” Hosking said.
‘‘We gave up two to three goals to them (the Demons) through stupidity.”
The game opened up, particularly after half time with both sides booting nine goals across the third and final terms. Horsham eventually ran out winners 18.8 (116) to the Rats 15.10 (100).
Rats defenders had a tough time with Demons Luke Carr snagging eight goals in a best on ground performance.
Gordon Laurie and Beau Cosson finished with three majors each for the Rats, while Justin Summons performed solidly in the ruck and across centre half-forward.
Hosking said the Rats missed Mick Fratin, who typically stretched the opposition’s defence a bit but the coach was happy with the effort of another small forward forward in Aidan Moar.
The Rats have another injury worry, with Jake Williamson re-injuring his knee.
While Williamson played out the match, it will be an anxious wait to see if he can take to the field for this weekend’s elimination final against Stawell.