Nhill are yet to score a win in season 2021, and the Rats made sure that wouldn't change, completing a footballing performance befitting of the sunny day at Alexandra Oval on Saturday.

The Rats jumped out of the blocks strongly in their match-up before running away with a 34-point win 13.12 (90) to 8.8 (56).

The Rats led by 13 points at quarter-time and by just 15 at the half-time break.

But a dominate third term was enough to clinch the win as the Rats kicked eight goals to two when the game was on the line.

Ararat Rats senior coach Matt Walder was impressed with his side's ability to get on top and dominate the game.

"We started pretty good, but our third quarters have been our Achilles heel for the year and so to kick eight goals in the quarter and blow the game open was good to get the bear off the back," he said.

"Going into the last quarter we were in a less vulnerable position than we have been previously so to put the game to rest was good."

For Ararat, Ethan Summers, Liam Arnott and Brody Griffin led the way with some strong performances across the ground.

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Up forward Nicholas Oliver kicked five goals, Thomas Cousins kicked three while Samuel Summers and Corey Taylor bagged two each.

The Rats, despite fielding a new and relatively inexperience side in 2021, have scored some impressive wins, with the round 16 victory coming after they pulled off an upset win over the Saints away from home in round 15.

In the A Grade netball Ararat scored an impressive win over Nhill, keeping their faint finals hopes alive.

It was an even contest between the Rats and Tigers early with the Rats leading at half-time by seven goals.

But a powerful second half saw Ararat stretch their legs and run away to a comfortable win 65 to 39.

Delaney McLoughlan was on fire in the ring, scoring an impressive 49 goals, while Tayla Borelli netted 16 of her own.

In the race for a WFNL finals spot, Ararat sit sit four points and and 14 per cent behind Stawell in fifth, with some incredible results needed on Saturday for the Rats to jump up.

In round 18 action, the top-placed Southern Mallee Giants will travel down to Alexandra Oval, having lost just one game so far in 2021.

It will be a tough ask for the Rats, but if they are to claim and unlikely finals berth, they must win.

The footballers will also be relishing the challenge to play against the Giants to end their season.

Walder said he was looking forward having his young sqaud test one of the league's best.

We want to upset them and shake their cage on their way into the finals," he said.

"We also want to leave a good legacy leaving 2021 for this group and being able to topple one of the better teams and walk away having put a good full stop on the year."

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The Rats cannot make the WFNL finals, but the chance to go head to head with one of the benchmark sides will give the squad the chance to show their improvement from throughout the 2021 season.

In their previous encounter in round nine, the Rats were gallant but defeated by seven goals after one of the league's toughest road trips to Beulah.

But in the reserve fixture, the Rats will like their chances of causing an upset and finishing their season on a real high.

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