HARROW-BALMORAL has been the benchmark side of the Horsham District Football Netball League (HDFNL) seniors ever since Southern Mallee Giants moved to the Wimmera League back in 2018 and this season is no different.

Despite being arguably the best side in the competition over the last five years, the Southern Roos haven’t achieved all they set out to just yet, with a premiership in their sights this season.

The powerhouse club won back-to-back premierships in 2018 and 2019, before COVID came along and took away two opportunities to finish a three-peat.

The 2023 season has seen dominance from Harrow-Balmoral as the side has not only defeated all of the other teams but obliterated them.

Just one of the Southern Roos’ eight games had a final margin inside 87 points, this game came against second-placed Jeparit-Rainbow (35 points).

Having won by over 100 points for the last five matches, the blue and white is up for the fight and is achieving great success under new coach, Jai Thompson.

This is Thompson’s first year at the helm of the club after signing on from Leopold last year where he played over 200 games.

Senior coach, Jai Thompson said the side was in a “very good position” and hoped to continue its form as the season went on.

“The boys have seemed to adjust to the coaching changes and structure really well, they’re a good group willing to learn and continue to get better,” he told The Spectator.

Thompson said with the support of former coach, Nick Pekin and the entire football department, adjusting to the role had been a seamless transition.

“It’s been pretty easy … it’s a fantastic club and great little community, I’ve always had plenty of support right from the start, obviously its good having Nick there to bounce stuff off and get knowledge of opposition players,” he said.

“Michael and Simon (Close) as my assistants have been great controlling their lines and what they need to do.”

Last year, under the leadership of Pekin, Harrow-Balmoral finished in third place on the ladder dropping just two games for the season.

The Southern Roos side was unexpectedly defeated by 26 points against Kalkee in the preliminary final, it was the first time since 2015 that it hadn’t made the grand final.

Dynamic duo in the forward line, Simon Close and James Staude are tied at the top of the league goalkicking with 36 majors each.

Midfield bulls in Pekin (24 goals) and Thompson (23 goals) also sit in the top five and have regularly been in their side’s best players.

Michael Close has made a positional move to centre-half back and has been taking intercept marks for fun, relishing his new role.

Will Burbury has also been an integral part of the engine room this season, his attack on the football and pace are key attributes of his game.

While clever small forward, Mitch Grant also was recognised as a standout by the coach, kicking 17 goals through the early part of the season.

“He has had a terrific start to the season, he’s only 21-years-old and his forward pressure has been really good, getting to the feet of Simon (Close) and Jimmy (Staude),” Thompson said.

“(Will Burbury) is really starting to increase his game, he had a massive preseason and has stepped into a role where he’s becoming one of the leaders in the midfield.”

Thompson said Stawell Swifts would be another test today and hinted at the readiness of the team to take it up to every team in the league.

“Stawell will be another challenge, they’re sitting third on the ladder … if we play our game and stick to our structure, I think we are good enough to beat anybody,” he said.

“I can sense that they’re (the players are) hungry just by the way they’re training … we want to make sure we make the most of the window that we have left and help guide all of the young guys coming through as that next crop.”