By Nathan Dole
FEW clubs have marked a senior footy premiership in Goldacres North Central Football League history.
This year it’s the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers who are on the hunt for three cups in a row following their success in 2023 and ’24.
A team jointly coached by Billy McInnes and Bryce Delmenico is bolstered by the arrival of Oscar Brownless after a three-year stint at AFL level with Geelong.
Although he did not play an AFL senior game, Brownless impressed in many of his 27 matches for the Cats at VFL level.
A Tigers attack led by former Adelaide and Geelong player Josh Jenkins will be a headache for all opposition defences.
Biggest challengers to the Tigers’ reign at the top are likely to be Birchip-Watchem and league newcomer Calder United Lions which was formed through the merger of Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport.
There will be no footy or netball matches across the North Central competition on April 19 because of hockey challenges.
Here’s a club-by-club glance leading into the ’25 campaign:
Birchip-Watchem
The Bulls have appointed Ash Connick as senior coach after he teamed with Bryce Curnow to coach Sandhurst to victory in last season’s Bendigo FNL senior grand final against Gisborne.
In ’24 the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls achieved a win-loss tally of 13-2 and drew another match on their way to second place at the end of the home-and-away series.
The Bulls charged into the grand final as they won the second semi-final against Sea Lake Nandaly by two points.
A fortnight later and it was the Tigers who won the fight for the premiership cup by 13 points.
Among the newcomers to the Bulls’ squad is Ben Lakin who was a key defender in three premiership wins with Horsham Demons.
The Bulls’ big man stocks increase through the signing of George Addis who has a rugby background.
Newcomers for the Bulls include Alex Hay from Avoca, Bill Lee from University Blues; Ben Edelsten who started with Tooleybuc Manangatang and then kicked on with Minyip-Murtoa; and Jacob Christie back in the pen after a two-year stint with Rupanyup.
A strong squad includes century goalkicker Ben Edwards in attack, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Ben Hogan, Jack Lee, James Lindeback, Marshall and Nicholas Rippon, Sam Simmons and Cormacc Wilson.
Birchip-Watchem’s season kicks off with the April 5 clash with Charlton at Charlton Park.
The Bulls are home at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip to face Donald in round two.
A big test will be the grand final rematch with Sea Lake Nandaly in the Tigers’ den at Sea Lake on April 26.
Opening month for the Bulls closes out with a home game against Calder United.
Boort
A record of seven wins, eight defeats and a draw meant Boort finished last season in sixth place.
The Dale Cameron-coached Magpies will be aiming to swoop into the top four in ’25.
Signings at Boort include Peter Barbopoulos from East Keilor, and Kayne and Tyson Rutley from Keilor.
The Magpies start their season on St Arnaud’s turf at Lord Nelson Park.
First of Boort’s home games at Boort Park will be on April 12 against Charlton.
In round three the Magpies make their way to Donald on April 26 to take on the Royal Blues .
Round four features Boort at home against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Calder United
The league’s newest club was formed through the amalgamation of Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport.
It’s a joint coaching effort as Darryl Wilson, non-playing, and Jordan Humphreys, playing, join forces in the Lions den.
Wilson took charge at Nullawil last season after a superb run of success with Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo FNL and previously with Colbinabbin.
Key recruits for the Lions include gun defender Oscar Madden from Eaglehawk, key forward Darcy Munro from Old Carey, and Balranald midfielder Kobe Lloyd.
After a season away from footy to travel and also focus on cricket with Melbourne in Premier League, Zane Keighran will be in Calder United’s defence.
The Lions appointed Josh Walsh as senior assistant coach.
Calder United’s squad includes Matt Wade, Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer, Spencer Allan, Charlie Fawcett, Trevor Rumbold, Trevor Isbister, Cody Green, Dude and Zac Kelly.
The Lions will be on the road to Donald to kick off a new era.
In round two it’s the Lions against the Tigers as Calder United and Sea Lake Nandaly clash at Nullawil.
The Lions will be in Wycheproof for a round three showdown with Wedderburn before they tackle the Bulls at Birchip in the fourth round.
Charlton
The Navies drew just one match last season and will be desperate to be competitive for longer in all matches in ’25.
It’s a second year in charge of coaching for Mitch Collins who earnt the Barry Cossar Medal as Charlton’s fairest and best last season.
Among the recruits at Charlton Park is Maryborough’s Luke Dunne who had stints with Bendigo Pioneers and GWV Rebels at Coates Talent League level.
The Navies have also gained John Leathen from Maryborough, Aaron Schodfield from White Hills, and Declan Ryan from Queensland.
Liam O’Keefe jumps from Kangaroo Flat to play for the Navies, while Murrabit’s Ashton Wood is another newcomer at Charlton Park, along with Josh Harris.
Able to play at half-back or half-forward or through midfield, Ben Xiriha brings experience from his playing days with Kyneton, Kangaroo Flat and Romsey.
The Navies squad includes Tyler Bruns, Ben Lanyon, Rhyen and Sam Woods.
Charlton is on home turf for the round one clash with Birchip-Watchem Bulls.
The Navies play at Boort Park on April 12 and then tackle St Arnaud at home in the third round.
Another big test will be against the Wedderburn Redbacks at Donaldson Park on May 3.
Donald
The Royal Blues run in ’24 was ended by Wedderburn as the Redbacks won the first semi-final by two goals.
A win-loss tally of nine-six and a draw put Donald on the fourth rung at the end of the home-and-away series.
The club had appointed Josh Potter as senior coach, but he stepped away from the role because of personal reasons.
Daniel Pearce, aka Tex, is now in charge of the Royals.
Huge plus is Feeny medallist and gun on-baller Ross Young playing on.
Donald’s season kicks off with a home game against Calder United Lions on April 5.
A tough start to the Royals season rolls on as it plays Birchip-Watchem Bulls at Birchip in round two before a home clash with Boort on April 26.
In round four Donald makes its way to St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
Sea Lake Nandaly
A formidable squad will represent Sea Lake Nandaly as it chases a premiership hat-trick.
Billy McInnes and Bryce Delmencio again team up to coach the yellow and black.
Huge signing for SLN was Oscar Brownless from Geelong.
Cooper Roberts has returned to the yellow and black.
Commitments on radio with SEN meant Josh Jenkins was limited to just 11 matches, but he kicked 50 goals for the Tigers in ’24.
An incredible run in ’24 by the Tigers was capped by four football and one netball team in the grand finals.
The Tigers will unfurl the premiership flag before they tackle Wedderburn in round one at Sea Lake.
It’s then to Nullawil on April 12 for the clash with Calder United Lions.
The rematch of last season’s grand finalists, Sea Lake Nandaly and Birchip-Watchem will be on April 26 at Sea Lake.
In round four the Tigers tackle the Magpies at Boort Park.
St Arnaud
The Saints have been able to entice many new faces to Lord Nelson Park as they strive to improve on last season’s record of 2-14 and eighth placing.
Scott Driscoll has stayed on as senior coach and will be assisted by Harley Durward.
The Saints have strengthened their attack through the signing of Jay Kirkwood from St Joseph’s.
A career-high for Kirkwood was kickeing 110 goals in 29 matches for Jeparit-Rainbow.
Other newcomers for the Saints are Josh Caddy from Port Melbourne Colts, and key forward Max Hungeford from Geelong Amateur.
Able to play midfield or in a key position, Darby Schilder has joined St Arnaud after stints with Melbourne South, Geelong Cats, Geelong Falcons, Werribee, St Mary’s, Modewarre and Bell Park.
The Saints are on home turf at Lord Nelson Park to take on Boort in the opening round.
Big test will be on April 12 at Weddeburn’s Donaldson Park.
The Saints will make their way to Charlton Park in round three and then tackle Donald at home a week later.
Wedderburn
Was a superb effort by the Redbacks to be third at the end of last season’s home-and-away series on a win-loss tally of nine-six and a draw.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn won the first semi-final against Donald by two goals, but could not halt Sea Lake Nandaly’s charge to a 32-point victory in the preliminary final.
The red and black is likely to be a strong contender for a top-four finish in ’25.
After premiership success with Sandhurst and White Hills respectively last September, Zach and Jake Pallpratt have made their way to Donaldson Park.
Jake Pallpratt not only brings premiership-winning experience from the White Hills den, but also from coaching Benalla in the Goulburn Valley.
Among his career highs was Sandhurst’s senior team champion award in 2018 and ’19.
A key player in Sandhurst’s run to premiership glory last year, Zach Pallpratt’s record includes a senior fairest and best award with Benalla, and representing Victoria Country at under-19 level.
The fierce attack by the Pallpratt brothers at every contest will be a huge plus for the red and black.
Another gun recruit is Mitch Jensen who coached Diggers Rest in ’24, was captain of the club’s premiership team a year earlier, and also played in a VFL premiership with Footscray.
Other recruits include Jye Mortlock from Natte Bealiba, Josh Hall from Marong, Dane Keuken from Strathfieldsaye, and Mark Robinson, a ruckman/key defender from West Brunswick.
Big test for the Redbacks when they play Sea Lake Nandaly in round one at Sea Lake Recreation Reserve.
Wedderburn will be on home turf against St Arnaud in round two and head to Wycheproof on April 26 to play Calder United.
Opening month of the season for the Redbacks will be capped by a home game against Charlton