Football
22 September, 2025
Ararat claim third Straight WFNL premiership
It was the icing on top of a near-perfect season for Ararat as they claimed the 2025 Wimmera Football Netball Grand Final on Saturday.
After a season defined by dominance and sometimes marred by controversy, the side, led by Tom Mills and Tom Williamson, had the final say.
And the message was clear and loud as they recorded a 53-point win against the only side to have challenged them all season, in Southern Mallee Thunder.
It was in the Second Semi Final that Ararat dropped their only match for the season - at the hands of the Thunder - and Southern Mallee were no doubt buoyed by that result going into the Grand Final on Saturday.
In the biggest game of the season, the Thunder opened the scoring with a Kai Sheers goal three minutes into the game, with Ararat trailing at the first break 1.1 (7) to 2.3 (15).
But by half time the minor premiers had clenched the lead on the back of a Williamson goal, albeit by just a point - 4.5 (29) to 4.4 (28).
They say the third is the premiership quarter - and it was the period that Ararat asserted their dominance on Saturday, booting 5.3 to their opposition's 1.2 to take a 26-point lead heading into the final term.
Determined not to let the Thunder back into the game, Ararat's defence limited their opponents to just a couple of points, while piling on another four goals and five points.
Final scores were Ararat 13.13 (91) to Southern Mallee 5.8 (38).
Williamson led the game with six goals, while teammates Brody Griffin and Naish McRoberts each added two each.
Williamson earned himself the official best on ground in after-game presentations, while Harry Ganley and James Jennings were also acknowledged for their efforts for the premiers.
On the losing side, coach Kieran Delahunty, Angus Dewar and Simon Clugston were gallant.
Asked how being back-to-back-to-back premiers felt after the win, Mills said simply: "amazing".
Causing a laugh from Williamson, Mills' offsider said he summed it up.
"Just incredible," continued Williamson, adding that for years the club had been preparing for a day like this.
"Constantly, as a coach, I keep reminding players at training, the reason why we are doing this is so it stands up come Grand Final day, and I thought today, we won a lot of moments, a lot of contests, and the score showed that in the end."
Mills added that despite it being so close at half-time, the side weren't particularly worried.
"It didn't feel like we were losing control, or they were taking control, of the game," he said.
"It was a bit of a stalemate and the pressure was up, and it was a great feeling in the room because we knew we had the work in our legs to come out after half time and just go for it, and that's what we did."
Personally, for Williamson, he was relieved to get the win after a massive build-up to the match.
"I think for me it was sort of a build-up, three weeks I've been looking forward to," he acknowledged.
"Obviously, this game, I knew if I could just stay calm, play footy, that I was going to come out with that result.
"So, my ability to just apply my mindset, I knew I've done a lot of work behind the scenes to come out today and put that performance in.
"But again, there are a lot of people behind the scenes that make this whole thing happen, and our team together, the way they came out and just won contest after contest to get our team to win was unbelievable."
Williamson acknowledged the adversity he faced week in, week out as a player of great talent in the league.
"I'm a capable footballer, but to be honest, I deal with more duress out on a footy field than the average person, and I get heckled from the sidelines," admitted Williamson.
"I get targeted as a player, but for me, it's just my ability to stay focused, worry about the job I got to do as a coach, firstly, as a player, secondly, and I know if I can do that, then I'll come out on top."
It was clear Williamson did just that on Saturday, with his haul of six majors no doubt contributing to his best on-ground honours as he was influential in not only the forward line, but in the middle too.
If Ararat president David Hosking's feelings could be summed up in one word, it would be "proud".
Proud of the club.
Proud of the committee.
Proud of the sponsors.
Proud of the supporters.
But most of all, proud of his players.
And the emotional president addressed his players at the award celebrations after the win.
"Our players are fantastic, not just in football, but at life," he praised.
"And I'm incredibly proud of them.
"I'm proud of the way that they conduct themselves as human beings.
"I'm proud of the way they carry themselves and how they've behaved in the last few weeks under a fair bit of duress and pressure.
"And that's when you find out how good your people are and ours are first class."
