Sport
22 May, 2026
Demons dig deep for the win
LISMORE/Derrinallum had its first real test in its premiership defence, defeating Penshurst by 20 points in a hard-fought round five Mininera and District senior football clash.
The Demons had won their first four games by an average of 117.25 points but had to work hard in their 14.15.99 to 12.7.79 win at the Derrinallum Recreation Reserve.
“To Penshurt’s credit, they came with a plan, and they stuck to it, and we took a bit to adjust to it,” Lismore/Derrinallum coach Alec Wiltshire said.
Up by a goal at three-quarter time, the Demons played their best in the final term.
“The game was up in the air at three-quarter time, and they were kicking with probably a three or four goal breeze in the last quarter, so our boys definitely showed some character, gritted the teeth and came away with a win, outscoring them in that last quarter.
“There was definitely a lot of emotion after the game, a bit of triumph and a sense of relief, after being challenged and coming away with a result like that because there was a little bit of doubt creeping in around the crowd too.”
Wiltshire said the game was exactly what his team needed.
“It was good to see the boys under pressure and having to work a bit harder than previous weeks as well.
“You can get too complacent as well and just think it’s going to happen, so it’s nice to have those games too where you’ve got to work to win.”
Full of praise for the Penshurst team, Wiltshire singled out reigning Mininera League best and fairest Josh Rentsch for his best on ground performance.
“Credit where credit’s due, Penshurst were good, Rentsch was probably head and shoulders the best player on the ground there’s a reason why he’s won the last two league best and fairests.
“But in saying that, our second half was really good, we got beaten in clearances in the first half but turned that around in the second half, which got us back in the game and basically why we came away with the four points.”
Small forward Jack McCallum was best for Lismore/Derrinallum, kicking five goals.
“Jack’s energy and willingness to compete and lock the footy inside 50 and to get five goals himself was one of the better games I’ve seen him play.
“They tried to clog up our forward line but he made the most of his opportunities; he kicked two in the last quarter as well to really slam it home, his goals were off defensive efforts too which was also really pleasing, a couple of holding the ball tackles in our 50 to lock it in, just that real competitor came out in him.”
Playing his first game for the season, Bailey Austin kicked two goals and was in the best for the Demons.
“Bailey’s just come back from France, he’s a marine engineer, he’s been building boats and all sorts of things over there.
“We regard him pretty highly as a player, he literally landed on our shores Monday week ago and played footy like he never went away; he took a couple of really telling marks too in that last quarter, he plays taller than he is.”
This week sees a mouth-watering clash against the other unbeaten team in Woorndoo/Mortlake at the DC Farran Oval in Mortlake.
“We’re pretty pumped to see where we’re at, and they’ve put no foot wrong for the start of the year either so it should be a great contest.”
The reserves match saw the Demons win strongly, 15.19.109 to 2.4.16.
Jack Parker, Matthew Bacon and Riley Browne were best in the win, with Browne kicking six goals and Jack Parker three.
In the under 17s, Penshurst was too strong, winning 9.7.61 to 5.3.33.
Campbell Greig, Jackson Davies and Alex Huggins were best for the Demons, with Eddie Gellie kicking two goals.
The under 13 game saw Lismore/Derrinallum score a big 15.11.101 to 1.0.6 win.
Best for the junior Demons were Charles Turner, Eddie Gellie and Patrick Greig, with Gellie kicking five goals.
The A grade netball saw Lismore/Derrinallum register a 37-32 win.
Best for the Demons were Eliza O’Neil and Steph Smith, with Anita Burchell shooting 14 goals.
Penshurst took out the B grade game with a 38-22 win.
Grace Fisher and Grace Coker were the best for the B grade Demons, with Lauren McLennan shooting 13 goals.
In C grade, Penshurst scored an 29-21 win, with Grace Simpson and Ruby Walsh best for the Demons.
The 17 and under netball saw Penshurst score a big 50-8 win.
Lacey Grundy and Charlotte Henderson were best for the Demons, with Lacey Grundmann shooting six goals.
Lismore/Derrinallum recorded a 19-9 win in 15 and under netball.
Maddison Mitchell was the Demons best, with Alexis Henderson shooting 11 goals.
The 13 and under game saw Lismore/Derrinallum score a 24-7 win.
Eliza Kerr and Gracie Thompson were best for the junior Demons, with Alexis Henderson shooting 14 goals and Evie Mitchell seven.
Read More: Lismore, Derrinallum