Weekly Advertiser | Ararat’s third consecutive Wimmera league premiership was achieved in emphatic style, led by a dominant performance by co-coach Tom Williamson.

With just one point the difference at half time at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal, the Rats served up a punishing second half to outscore Southern Mallee Thunder 61-10.

After going through the home-and-away season undefeated, Ararat lost a fiery second semi-final to the Thunder – a match that saw Williamson given two yellow cards – the second for an incident that remains under investigation by AFL Victoria.

The loss also meant the Rats needed a preliminary final win over Nhill to make the grand final, which they did comfortably by 57 points.

To add to its less-than-ideal build-up, Ararat went into the grand final without two of its best players – Wimmera league best under-21 player for 2025, Sonny Kettle, and key goal-scorer Jack Ganley.

In a low-scoring first quarter, the Thunder kicked with a strong breeze but only kicked two majors, while Williamson kept the Rats in touch with one goal.

With just eight points separating them, the second quarter opened with Naish McRoberts kicking a goal from close to the boundary before Williamson slotted his second to put the Rats in front by five points.

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