-By Nathan Dole
IT’S second against third as Birchip-Watchem takes on Calder United Lions in this Saturday’s fourth round of senior footy in the Goldacres North Central league.
The Bulls will have home-ground advantage at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval when the clash starts at 2.30pm.
The Ash Connick-coached Bulls put their unbeaten run on the line against the Lions who have a two-one tally.
Birchip-Watchem teamed superbly to win last Saturday’s match against Sea Lake Nandaly at Sea Lake by 10 points.
Best for the Bulls were ruckman Hamish Hosking, Ben Lakin, Nicholas Rippon and Dale Hinkley.
Birchip-Watchem’s attack is led by Ben Edwards and Joseph Reid.
The Lions fought hard for a 77-63 victory against Wedderburn at Wycheproof.
Matt Wade, Oscar Madden, Zane Keighran and Zach Caccaviello were best for the Lions.
A Calder United line-up which is coached by Darryl Wilson, non-playing, and Jordan Humpreys, playing, includes Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer, and co-captains Koby Hommelhoff and Rylee Smith.
On top of the ladder, Boort will be on home turf against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Boort Park.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort faces an opponent on the rebound from a rare defeat.
Boort scored a 167-point victory at Donald last Saturday as Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Jayden Dick, James Wilson and Matt Austin led the way.
The Tigers will be snarling after a 10-point loss at Sea Lake against Birchip-Watchem.
Boort’s squad to take on the yellow and black includes Peter Barbopoulos, Ethan Coleman, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Will Perryman and Keiren Wilson.
A formidable squad representing SLN includes co-captains Wade Donnan and Jack Poulton, Joel and Trent Donnan, Thomas Cox and Brody Weir.
The Tigers have playing co-coaches Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes and welcome back Oscar Brownless and Josh Jenkins to the attack.
St Arnaud and Donald will play for the Chris “Pa” Wall Memorial trophy at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
The Saints and Royal Blues are yet to win this season.
Key players for the Scott Driscoll-coached St Arnaud include co-captains Mitch Egan and Kurtis Torney, Torin Petrie, Harley Durward on a wing, Jake Male and Max Hungerford.
A Donald line-up which has Daniel Pearce as playing coach will look to Feeny medallist Ross Young, captain Eddie Landwehr, Darcy Harrison, Ryan Bath, Charlie Campbell and Robert Walker to win or halve many contests.
Wedderburn takes on Charlton at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn will be wary of an opponent which broke a long-running winless streak on Anzac Day.
It’s fifth against sixth as the Redbacks and Navies have a one-two record.
Key players for the Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn include Hamish and Joe Lockhart, Corey Lowry, Jackson and Mitch McEwen, and Jake Pallpratt.
It was Sam Woods, Thomas Finlay, coach Mitch Collins and Ben Xiriha who led Charlton’s charge to victory against St Arnaud.
The Navies squad bound for Wedderburn includes captain Sam Woods, Bailey Kemp, Sean O’Connor and Seb Zagame.
Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Boort 560 per cent, 12 points; Birchip-Watchem 451, 12; Calder United Lions 194, 8; Sea Lake Nandaly 137, 8; Wedderburn 105, 4; Charlton 19, 4; St Arnaud 44, 0; Donald 9, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
32 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
24 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort.
16 Kayne Rutley, Boort.
14 Joseph Reid, Birchip-Watchem.
13 Mitch Jensen, Wedderburn.
12 Jack Exell, Calder United Lions.
10 Peter Barbopoulos, Boort.
9 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
8 Carlos Egan, Boort.
7 Mitch Farmer, Calder United Lions.
6 Lachy McClelland, Sea Lake Nandaly.
6 Adam Pattison, Sea Lake Nandaly.
5 Daniel Bell, Birchip-Watchem.
5 James Keeble, Boort.
5 Tyson McKenzie, Sea Lake Nandaly.