Sport
18 July, 2025
Road to finals: Where will your WFNL club finish at the end of the season?
There are just six rounds left of the 2025 Wimmera Football Netball League season, and it is anyone’s guess which five sides will play finals football.
While Ararat is cruising along with a perfect 11-0 record after 12 rounds, seven clubs are fighting for the remaining four spots on the ladder.
It is almost too close to call.
Here's my predictions for rounds 13 to 18 and the final standings:
Ararat are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.
With a percentage of more than 300 and an average winning margin of 93 points, the Rats look every bit a team bound for glory.
Only the Minyip Murtoa have come close to pushing the back-to-back premiers, limiting Ararat to 12 goals in May.
Warrack Eagles (H) win, Southern Mallee Thunder (A) win, Minyip Murtoa (H) win, bye, Horsham Saints (A) win, Nhill (H) win.
The Cinderella story of 2025. From one memorable win in 2022 to finals in 2024, it is hard not to get excited about the Tigers’ successes.
Grit and determination are the foundation of Nhill’s success, having won eight games to date at an average of 27 points.
Dimboola (H) win, Stawell (A) win, Warrack Eagles (H) win, Southern Mallee Thunder (A) loss, Minyip Murtoa (H) win, Ararat (A) loss.
It has been a tough season for the 2024 minor premiers and grand finalists, with injuries and several losses at home hurting the powerhouse’s momentum.
While the Thunder’s average winning margin is 24 points, its losing margin is 31 points.
What bodes well for the Southern Mallee Thunder is a kind run into the finals, with clashes against the Saints and Demons, as well as key contests against Nhill and Ararat.
If the Thunder are to return to the grand final for redemption against Ararat, they need to beat Nhill at home to send a statement to the competition.
Minyip Murtoa (A) win, Ararat (H) loss, Horsham Saints (A) win, Nhill (H) win, Horsham (A) win, Dimboola (H) win.
The Warriors have battled through the 2025 season, the first under James Sullivan and Perry Meka.
Stawell has won by an average of 26 points; however, if you eliminate its 96-point win against Horsham, the winning margin is just 12 points.
The Warriors have won three games by two goals or less.
Losses to the top three sides make it difficult to go deep into finals, but if Paul Summers or Cody Driscoll peak in September, the Warriors would shake up the whole competition.
Horsham Saints (A) win, Nhill (H) loss, Horsham (A) win, Dimbolla (H) win, bye, Warrack (A) win.
The Burras should secure the last finals spot of the 2025 season based on their superior percentage.
Minyip Murtoa started the season strong with three straight wins before being brought back to earth with four consecutive losses to the Thunder, Rats, Saints and Tigers.
Two 50-plus point wins gave the league a glimpse of the 2022 premiers' strength, before a shock loss to Warrack Eagles in round 12 added some spice to the season.
With games against Ararat, Nhill and Southern Mallee Thunder in the next month, the Burras are projected to win two games from the last six rounds, which should be enough to get them into fifth place on the ladder.
However, a bye in round 14, plus a crucial clash against the Saints in round 16, could decide the fate of the Burras.
: Southern Mallee Thunder (H) loss, bye, Ararat (A) loss, Horsham Saints (H) win, Nhill (A) loss, Horsham H) win.
Dimboola are currently one of three teams with a 5-6 record after 12 rounds, but an inferior percentage against the Burras could be the reason the Roos miss out on finals.
At times, Dimboola looked like a formidable side that could push even the best teams on their day; unfortunately, more than a dozen injuries have plagued the side throughout the season.
The Roos thumped Nhill in round four by 74 points, part of a three-game win streak, yet they also lost to Ararat by an average of 122 points.
If Dimboola is to play finals football, they must win at least two games in the next six matches.
A rematch against Nhill and a round 16 clash against Stawell could be their best chance of jumping Minyip Murtoa and sneaking into fifth place.
Nhill (A) loss, Horsham (H) win, bye, Stawell (A) loss, Warrack Eagles (H) win, Southern Mallee Thunder (A) loss.
The last of the 5-6 teams, the Horsham Saints, have played their fair share of close games, with six games decided by 18 points or less.
Unfortunately, they have also been on the end of several big losses, losing by an average of 40 points, including a 100-point loss to Ararat.
Games against the Thunder and Rats, plus a last-round bye, hurt the Saints' chances of taking the last spot in the finals.
Stawell (H) loss, Warrack Eagles (A) win, Southern Malle Thunder (H) loss, Minyip Murtoa (A) loss, Ararat (H) loss, bye.
It has been a testing season for Matt Walder and his Eagles; however, there have been several small wins in 2025.
None more impactful on the season than their win against Minyip Murtoa in round 12, which could hurt the Burras' finals aspirations.
While eight losses to date may look bad on paper, what isn't shown is the team's ability to keep pace with their opponents.
Outside of a 103-point loss to Ararat, the Eagles' next biggest loss is 30 points to the Thunder.
Yes, finals are still mathematically possible, but they'll have to be on their game week in, week out, which includes a round 13 game against Ararat.
Looking ahead: Ararat (A) loss, Horsham Saints (H) loss, Nhill (A) loss, Horsham (H) win, Dimboola (A) loss, Stawell (H) loss.
Football can be a cruel game. The Demons, who won a record 10 premierships in a row from 2003-2012, are facing a 0-16 season.
Despite their record, Horsham haven't been pushovers, showing signs of victory throughout the season.
They could have claimed their first win of the season if it wasn't for Cody Bryan's heroics after the siren in round 11, and the Dees pushed Nhill deep into the last quarter a week later.
If everything falls into place, Horsham could quite easily upset the likes of Dimboola, Stawell, or Minyip Murtoa; however, if they want to play in September, their opponents would be treating each game like a final.
: bye, Dimboola (A) loss, Stawell (H) loss, Warrack Eagles (A) loss, Southern Mallee Thunder (H) loss, Minyip Murtoa (A) loss.