HDFNL – Seniors


HARROW Balmoral kicked off its 2025 season with a comfortable but hard-fought 38-point victory over Taylors Lake.


The Harrow Balmoral Roos are coming off two undefeated seasons for back-to-back premierships under the coaching of Jai Thompson and in those two seasons had defeated Taylors Lake by around 30 goals each time they played, but with some unavailable players and strong recruiting by the Lakers this was always going to be a tougher challenge.


The Roos stuck to their plans in the face of the spirited Taylors Lake team who had a lot of early possession and some late goals saw Harrow Balmoral lead, five goals to one at quarter time.


The grit and run of Jai Thompson and Will Burbury was getting it down to Simon Close and Cody Deutscher as key targets and Mitch Grant was down and dirty snagging a couple of goals and keeping it in there with his energy and tackling.


The half time margin was 10 goals to four to Harrow Balmoral and that was about the final difference, but the Roos won every quarter and did what they needed to do on the day.


Taylors Lake have not made finals since 2015 and they would have seen their effort as a big step forward, but with the league going back to a final five after having a top six since 2016, they might be one of four or five teams battling for a spot in the elimination final.


Michael Close was probably the difference on the day as he patrolled the half back line; the veteran Dalton Burns in a back pocket had a day out and Cody Deutscher and Matt Jones marked and cleared well out of defence.


Big Noah Hildebrand and Anthony Close battled hard all day in the ruck against the Kamstra brothers.


This week Harrow Balmoral will host Laharum.


The Mountain Men went from winless in 2023 to fourth spot in 2024 and have added some handy players; last year they actually ran Harrow Balmoral to its closest margin in a very tight defence-focussed match, so it will be another stern test for Southern Roos.