THE Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will aim to outrun Birchip-Watchem’s Bulls in Saturday’s start to the Goldacres North Central senior footy season.
A rematch of last season’s preliminary finalists will be played at Sea Lake from 2.20pm.
When these clubs met in September it was the Bulls who won 65-55 to advance to the grand final where they were beaten by Calder United Lions.
Bailey Boyd and Wade Donnan have teamed up to coach the Tigers this campaign.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s line-up includes Trent Donnan, Max Cahoon, Bryce Delmenico, Billy McInnes, Adam Pattison and Brodie Adcock.
The Bulls have Ash Connick in his second season in charge after a premiership victory with Sandhurst in 2024.
Reigning premier, Calder United Lions start their season on home turf at Nullawil against Wedderburn.
Jordan Humphreys stays on as playing coach and will be joined by non-playing coach Tom Bickley who guided the Lions reserves to last season’s premiership.
Gun recruit for the Lions is brilliant small forward Steven Stroobants from South Bendigo.
Stroobants brings a wealth of experience from his time with South Bendigo, Rochester, Bendigo Bombers, and Bendigo Pioneers.
Other key players for Calder United include Boe Bish, Zach Caccaviello, Mitch Farmer, Steven Kennedy, Oscar Madden and Josh Walsh.
Huge test for the Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn in the Lions den.
Donald will be on home turf against Boort.
The Royals are being coached by Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder.
Recruits for Donald include Pala Kuma who was premiership winner with Eaglehawk’s seniors last season.
Donald’s team to tackle the Magpies includes Dyson Bell-Warren, Charlie Campbell, Kalon Green, Cooper Mackenzie-George, Luca Rice and Bill Sam.
The Andrew Rutley-coached Boort will be keen to mark a winning start.
Key players for the Magpies include ruckman Connor Dalgleish, rover Carlos Egan, Keiren Wilson, Ethan Coleman, James Wilson and Tom Potter.
At Charlton Park it will be Carl Thiesz aiming to mark a winning return to the club as he takes charge as senior coach.
The Navies will be up against a new-look St Arnaud.
Recruits for Charlton include Rory McCrann-Peters and Zac Wescott from Golden Square, and Jake Lawry from Calivil United.
It’s been five seasons since Will Harrington, named as Charlton’s rover, played for Golden Square.
Charlton’s line-up includes Mason Heenan, Ben Lanyon, Sean O’Connor and Rhys Thompson.
Plenty of new faces in a St Arnaud team coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder.
Recruits for the Saints include key forward Sam Witherden from Barwon Heads, Liam Loverso from Doncaster East, Joe and Nick Maishman from Geelong Amateur, Tanner Owen from St Joseph’s, and Oliver Rogers from Vermont.
Former coach Torin Petrie and the highly-rated Max Witherden were named on interchange.