Wimmera: Stuart Farr picks his dream team from Horsham’s golden run

The Horsham Demons dominated the Wimmera league from 2003 by winning 10 flags in a row, with Stuart Farr coaching seven of them. He now picks his dream team.

David Johnston

less than 2 min read

September 5, 2023 - 5:00AM

The Weekly Times

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The Horsham Demons dominated the Wimmera league like no other from 2003 to 2012, winning 10 premierships in a row with brilliant players on every line.

Stuart Farr played in the first three Demons’ flags as assistant coach before taking over the top job leading the club to the next seven.

A serious knee injury late in the 2012 season denied him the chance to play in all 10.

Picking his dream team for The Weekly Times proved a difficult assignment.

Stuart Farr coached the Horsham Demons to seven premierships.

So much so, every player selected had to play in a minimum of two premierships.

“Even before I started coaching they were a step ahead with fitness and professionalism,” Farr said.

“We would do boxing Monday and Wednesday and train Tuesday and Thursday and a recovery session on Sunday.

“It was also before the money really came into this area.

“We were obviously attractive because it was a good team with the best facilities.

“It was easy to recruit.”

Sydney’s Jake Lloyd is four-time Horsham Demons premiership player. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

One of many stars in his line-up is Jake Lloyd, who played in four Demons flags before being drafted by the Sydney Swans where he is a dual best and fairest winner.

Toohey Medallists Scott Batchelor and Marcus Anson also make the side as does champion full-forward David Johns, who played in eight flags, topped the Wimmera league goalkicking six times and booted a record 156 goals in the 2006 season.

Horsham Demons David Johns kicked a Wimmera league record 156 goals in 2006.

Farr estimates 75 per cent of his “dream team” were sons of Horsham premiership players with his own father, Dennis, playing in another dominant era in the 1970s when the club won five flags.

His team also includes the two players who replaced Farr as coach at the end of the 2019 season – Jordy Burke and Brad Hartigan.

Hartigan played in a total of 12 premierships and this season qualified for Wimmera league life membership by playing 300 senior matches.