Football
10 April, 2026
Thunder ready for round one
THE Southern Mallee Thunder will kick off their 2026 Wimmera Football Netball League season this Saturday, travelling to Davis Park to play Nhill.
Last year's runners-up have been bolstered by Archie Peltz, Bailey Edwards, Jai Kennealy, Matty Lloyd and Will Page, who will not only bring more skill to the team but also enhance the group's competitiveness.
Nhill, who bowed out of the finals race to Ararat in the Preliminary, will be looking to get their new players, Lachlan Ryan, Tom Wheaton and Will Rowlands, out on the park.
President of the Thunder, Lucas Puckle, said after a big pre-season, the side was ready for the hit out.
"There has been a lot of hard work put into pre-season," Puckle said.
"But when all that finishes up, everyone is jumping out of their skin to play.
"We've had plenty on the track and everyone is excited."
Puckle said the club debuted a few of their new recruits in their practice last week, and he looks forward to all the players getting to know each other.
Asked if all new recruits would be available for selection this week, Puckle said he wasn't 100 per cent sure.
"There are injury clouds on a couple of them, but most will be available, yes," he said.
Not knowing everything about the Nhill line-up for 2026, Puckle said the focus will be to win the hard ball and play as a team.
"You won't get the chocolates if you don't do the hard work," admitted Puckle.
The clash between Nhill and the Thunder kicks off at 2.20pm.