BY NATHAN DOLE
Bulls, Tigers fight to prove who is best
THE Bulls from Birchip-Watchem and the Tigers from Sea Lake Nandaly will fight to prove who is king of the Goldacres North Central senior footy league on Saturday.
It’s back to Donald where they met in a second semi-final just two weeks to compete in the match which matters most from 2.30pm.
Sea Lake Nandaly is chasing back-to-back premierships against an opponent which was number one the previous season.
Both clubs have won two premierships in the North Central FNL.
The Bulls in 2001 and ’22, and the Tigers in ’19 and ’23.
It was one-all between these teams in this year’s home-and-away series.
The Bulls won in their pen at George Cartwright Oval in round four by 13 points.
When they met in the 13th round it was the Tigers who roared in a 90-58 victory on Sea Lake Oval.
Although it finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder on a 14-2 record, Sea Lake Nandaly could not halt the Bulls’ charge to victory in the second semi-final.
It was a 75-73 thriller which went the way of the Trevor Ryan-coached Birchip-Watchem.
The Tigers struck back to win last Saturday’s preliminary final against Wedderburn by 32 points.
After passing the century mark in the second semi-final victory, Birchip-Watchem’s Ben Edwards will be determined to build on a season tally of 101.
Edwards is the key target in the Bulls’ attack, but also has great support from the likes of Nicholas Rippon and Joseph Reid.
Goalless in the second semi-final, Josh Jenkins returns to the Sea Lake Nandaly attack after not playing in the preliminary final.
Jenkins has kicked 49 goals for the Tigers and brings AFL experience from his days with Adelaide Crows and Geelong.
Others to watch in the SLN attack are Tyson McKenzie, Lachy McClelland and Jackson McMahon.
Five players who have claimed the Feeny Medal as league fairest and best will take to the field.
The Bulls have Lochlan Sirett, 2018; and Nicholas Rippon, joint winner in ’23.
Feeny medallists in Sea Lake Nandaly’s line-up are Ryan O’Sullivan, 2017; Trent Donnan, ’23; and Wade Donnan, ’24.
Players to watch for Birchip-Watchem include Meyrick Buchanan, Ty Colbert, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Lachlan Ryan, Sam Simmons, and Patrick Veszpremi.
The Tigers have Max Cahoon, Thomas Cox, Jack Poulton, Brody Weir and Jai Wright who will be doing all they can to hold the cup aloft once again.
Bulls’ charge in ‘24
Rd 1: d Nullawil, 108-84 at Nullawil.
Rd 2: d Donald, 102-28 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 3: d St Arnaud, 109-38 at Lord Nelson Park.
Rd 4: d Sea Lake Nandaly, 96-83 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 5: d Charlton, 157-42 at Charlton Park.
Rd 6: d Boort, 162-44 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 7: dr Wedderburn, 82-82 at Donaldson Park.
Rd 8: d Wycheproof-Narraport, 91-60 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 9: bye.
Rd 10: d Nullawil, 148-44 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 11: d Donald, 84-45 at Donald.
Rd 12: d St Arnaud, 161-22 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 13: lt Sea Lake Nandaly, 58-90 at Sea Lake.
Rd 14: d Charlton, 70-17 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 15: d Boort, 81-43 at Boort Park.
Rd 16: d Wedderburn, 80-35 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 17: lt Wycheproof-Narraport, 61-73 at Wycheproof.
Rd 18: bye.
2nd semi-final: d Sea Lake Nandaly, 75-73 at Donald.
Tigers’ run across ’24:
Rd 1: d Boort, 119-78 at Sea Lake.
Rd 2: d Wedderburn, 81-65 at Sea Lake.
Rd 3: d Wycheproof-Narraport, 131-12 at Sea Lake.
Rd 4: lt Birchip-Watchem, 83-96 at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip.
Rd 5: d Nullawil, 99-71 at Sea Lake.
Rd 6: d Donald, 63-41 at Donald.
Rd 7: d St Arnaud, 136-17 at Sea Lake.
Rd 8: bye.
Rd 9: d Charlton, 139-35 at Charlton Park.
Rd 10: d Boort, 135-36 at Boort Park.
Rd 11: d Wedderburn, 86-27 at Donaldson Park.
Rd 12: d Wycheproof-Narraport, 123-42 at Wycheproof.
Rd 13: d Birchip-Watchem, 90-58 at Sea Lake.
Rd 14: d Nullawil, 63-59 at Nullawil.
Rd 15: lt Donald, 57-58 at Sea Lake.
Rd 16: d St Arnaud, 125-29 at Lord Nelson Park.
Rd 17: bye.
Rd 18: d Charlton, 156-8 at Sea Lake.
2nd semi-final: lt Birchip-Watchem, 73-75 at Donald.
Preliminary final: d Wedderburn, 72-40 at Charlton Park.
In the Haeuslers reserves competition, Nullawil takes on Sea Lake Nandaly from 12.35pm.
After finishing top of the ladder on a 15-1 record, Nullawil won the second semi-final against the Tigers by three goals.
It was one-all in the run to the finals.
Nullawil won at Sea Lake in round five by 46 points, and the Tigers struck back for a 61-38 victory on the Maroons’ turf in the 14th round.
Best for Nullawil in the second semi-final were Angus Forrester, Zac Kelly, Mitchel Barry, Billy Forrester, Jayden Coghlan and Jack Barry.
The Tigers stayed in the premiership race as they won the preliminary final agianst Boort by 16 points.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include captain Billy Poulton, Cruz O’Sullivan, Chase Tait, Felix Warne, Wayne Landry, Joel Clohesy and Nathan Wright.
It’s the Saints against the Tigers as St Arnaud faces Sea Lake Nandaly in the Charlton and District Community Bank under-17s grand final from 10.55am.
These teams played two thrillers in the home-and-away series.
It was 64-all in the round seven match in Sea Lake.
The Tigers won 56-51 on the Saints’ turf at Lord Nelson Park in the 16th round.
The Tigers kicked off the finals by scoring a 58-49 win against Birchip-Watchem in the first semi-final.
St Arnaud beat Boort in the second semi-final by 19 points.
Last Saturday it was the Tigers who defeated the Boort Magpies, 61-54 in the preliminary final.
A huge day for Sea Lake Nandaly kicks off with the Uniting Church under-14s match against Boort from 9.30am.
The Tigers will be aiming to cap an unbeaten season.
Sea Lake Nandaly won the first round clash with the Magpies by 50 points.
Scores were much closer in the 10th round as the Tigers fought on for a 35-33 win at Boort Park.
In the second semi-final, SLN’s rising stars marked a 43-22 win against the Magpies.
Boort bounced back to win the preliminary final against Donald by 37 points and earn a shot at premiership glory.