THE unbeaten run of the Birchip-Watchem Bulls will be under threat from Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in Saturday’s 10th round in Goldacres North Central senior footy.
It’s a rematch of last season’s grand finalists in the Bulls’ pen at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip from 2.30pm.
When these clubs met in round three it was the Bulls who marked an 82-72 victory at Sea Lake.
As the Bulls dominated last Saturday’s match on Donald’s ground the Tigers could not halt the Calder United Lions on their way to an 85-45 win in Tigers’ territory.
Key players for the Ash Connick-coached Bulls include Marshall and Nicholas Rippon, captain Dale Hinkley, gun forward Ben Edwards, Will Lee, ruckman Hamish Hosking.
Sea Lake Nandaly will look for big games from the likes of Trent and Wade Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Chase Tait and co-coach Billy McInnes.
Key forward Josh Jenkins and former Geelong player Oscar Brownless again team up for a Tigers line-up which has Bryce Delmenico as co-coach.
The fifth-placed Wedderburn faces a huge test on its turf at Donaldson Park against the Calder United Lions.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn is eight points behind the fourth-placed Sea Lake Nandaly.
Back in round three the Lions clawed their way to a 77-63 win against the Redbacks in Wycheproof.
Wedderburn’s team includes Isaac, Louis and Oscar Holt; Hamish and Joe Lockhart, Danny Benaim and Adam Postle.
Huge task for Redbacks’ defenders Corey Lowry, Sam Lockhart and Ben Bacon against Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer and Cody Green.
The Redbacks welcome back Zach Pallpratt for his first senior game since round six.
Calder United teamed superbly last round to win at Sea Lake by 40 points.
Best for the Lions were Dale Pearce, Oscar Madden, Jack Marlais and Steven Kennedy.
A strong team coached by Darryl Wilson, non-playing, and Jordan Humphreys, playing, has Koby Hommelhoff in the centre, George Turner roving, Zane Keighran and Jack Marlais dashing off half-back.
Boort will tackle Donald at Boort Park.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort is third on a seven-two record.
Boort marked a 92-point win at Charlton Park last Saturday as Jayden Dick, key forward Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Lachlan Hall and Ryan McGhie led the way.
Players to watch for Boort include Peter Barbopoulos, Carlos Egan, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Keiren Wilson and Will Perryman.
It’s been a tough season for Donald’s young team and coach Daniel Pearce.
Best for the Royal Blues against Birchip-Watchem were Thomas Reekie, Feeny medallist Ross Young and Jett Adams.
Donald’s team to play the Magpies includes Ben, Brent and Sam Arho; Kalon Green, Nic Atkins and Luca Rice.
St Arnaud will be back at Lord Nelson to take on Charlton.
In round three it was Charlton which marked a 44-35 win at home against the Saints.
The Saints and Navies are on the rebound from defeat.
Best for St Arnaud in the 43-154 result at home against Wedderburn were Brad Organ, Kurtis Torney, Max Hungerford and Thomas Bertalli.
The Saints’ squad coached by Scott Driscoll includes Jacob Tillig, Luke Jackson, Bailey Durward and Jackson Needs.
Charlton had a tough run against Boort at Charlton Park in the ninth round.
Best for the Navies were Ben Xiriha, Patrick Soulsby, Rhys and Jed Thompson.
The Charlton team bound for St Arnaud includes co-captains Ben Lanyon and Billy Sexton, coach Mitch Collins, Sean O’Connor and Bailey Kemp.
North Central senior footy ladder:
Birchip-Watchem 337 per cent, 36 points; Calder United Lions 298, 28; Boort 166, 28; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 250, 24; Wedderburn 145, 16; Charlton 23, 8; St Arnaud 39, 4;. Donald 12, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
72 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
46 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort.
44 Jack Exell, Calder United Lions.
26 Mitch Jensen, Wedderburn.
24 Max Cahoon, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
24 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
21 Kayne Rutley, Boort.
20 Lachy McClelland, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
19 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
18 Adam Pattison, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
18 Joseph Reid, Birchip-Watchem.
17 Mitch Farmer, Calder United Lions.
17 Tyson McKenzie, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
16 Peter Barbopoulos, Boort.
15 Rhona Conboy, Birchip-Watchem.
14 Jordan Humphreys, Calder United Lions.
14 Max Hungerford, St Arnaud.
13 Carlos Egan, Boort.
13 Oscar Holt, Wedderburn.
12 Jye Mortlock, Wedderburn.
11 Ethan Coleman, Boort.
11 Darcy Jackson, Wedderburn.
11 Mitch McEwen, Wedderburn.
10 Daniel Bell, Birchip-Watchem.
10 Zane Keighran, Calder United Lions.
10 James Keeble, Boort.
10 Steven Kennedy, Calder United Lions.