Sport
29 July, 2025
Lions tackle Magpies, and rain, in win
Despite a superb effort from Campbells Creek, Harcourt kept the Magpies at bay with five first-quarter goals the catalyst for their 54-point victory.
With the surface at Harcourt Recreation Reserve heavily affected by Friday’s and Saturday’s downpour, a classic wet-weather contest was played, making what on paper looked like a convincing victory for the hosts much more fascinating.
Even with suboptimal conditions, the Lions still managed to implement their classic, free-flowing, attacking brand of football in passages of the opening term, with the likes of Cameron and Luke Anderson, as well as Braydon Vaz, making the most of some open space on the wings.
An early goal from Thomas Walters set the tone for Harcourt, who had a 28-point lead heading into quarter time thanks to multiple goals from Vaz and Jed Rodda.
Despite the scoreline, the Magpies showcased some strong signs in the first 25 minutes, which began to translate on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
While their defence, headlined by several intercept marks from Mitchell Stevens, limited the space for Harcourt to exploit, their on-ball pressure across the ground was superb, leading to multiple holding-the-ball free kicks.
A goal from Jamie Benbow was the reward for their efforts, however, the Lions managed to score two majors of their own to extend the margin to 35 points at half time.
Following a competitive second term, Harcourt wrestled back control of the contest in the third quarter, holding the Magpies scoreless throughout the quarter by effectively trapping the ball in their attacking half.
Despite their mounting pressure, Campbells Creek’s defence remained stout, conceding only one goal to limit the deficit to 47 points at the final change.
With conditions worsening in the fourth quarter, only two scoring shots were registered in the last term, both at Harcourt’s goal.
The hosts managed seven points from those attempts, putting the finishing touches on a mud-filled victory.
Co-captains Walters and Cameron Anderson led by example on Saturday, named among Harcourts’ best players alongside Joshua Hogg, Vaz, Luke Anderson and Jack Archer, who made his senior debut for the club.
Rodda finished as the game’s leading goal-kicker with three goals.
Campbells Creek’s best players were led by goal-scorer Benbow, followed by Stevens, Matthew Cox, James Martinovic, Michael White and Kyle Gellatly.
