DONALD and Wedderburn marked a superb start to the Goldacres North Central senior footy season on Saturday.
A run of 19 consecutive defeats for Donald was ended as the Royal Blues celebrated a 10-point win at home against Boort.
Donald had not won since a 58-point victory against Charlton on August 3, 2024.
A first semi-finalist that year, Donald was winless last season.
On Saturday the Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder-coached Royals charged to a 20-point lead by half-time of the clash with the Magpies.
Boort struck back to win the third quarter, 38-14.
In the last it was Donald which dominated a lot of play.
As the Royals scored 4.3 they kept the Pies to a tally of 2.1
When the final siren sounded Donald was up 82-72.
Best for Donald were Pala Kuma, Bill Sam, Josh Poole, Dyson Bell-Warren and Baxter Donnellon.
Carlos Egan, James Byrne, Max Beattie, Liam Bianco, Danko Bzenic and Jack Smith were best for the Andrew Rutley-coached Magpies.
After unfurling the ’25 premiership flag, Calder United Lions took on Wedderburn at Nullawil.
The Wedderburn Redbacks started confidently and led 17-7 at quarter-time and 41-30 by the main break.
Defences were on top for most of the second half.
Wedderburn added four goals and kept the Lions to a score of 15 points across the final hour.
Jackson McEwen, Joe Lockhart and Lachie Raymond led Wedderburn’s charge to victory.
Gun recruit Matt Perri who previously played for Leitchville-Gunbower kicked four goals as Zach Pallpratt added two.
Leading goalkicker for the Lions were Rylee Smith and former South Bendigo forward Steven Stroobants on two.
Best for the Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn included Matt Perri, Hamish Lockhart and Corey Lowry.
Rylee Smith, Daniel Watts, Steven Kennedy, Dean Putt, Matthew Trzeciak and Mitch Farmer were Calder United’s best.
Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley have teamed up to coach the Lions.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were too strong at home for Birchip-Watchem Bulls.
The Tigers won a closely-fought first half, 30-24.
Quarter three was dominated by the yellow and black as Sea Lake Nandaly scored four goals and kept the Bulls to just two behinds.
Max Cahoon went on to kick a match-high four goals as the Tigers charged to a 71-40 victory.
The Bulls’ attack was led by Ricardo Liparota on three as Joseph Reid added two.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were co-coach Boyd Bailey, Thomas Cox, co-coach Wade Donnan, Max Cahoon, Brandon Bailey and Billy McInnes.
Ben Lakin, Dale Hinkley, Daniel Rendell, Ricardo Liparota, Heath Smith and Angus Butterfield were best for the Ash Connick-coached Bulls.
St Arnaud dominated its clash at Charlton Park.
The Saints won 134-16 as Max Hungerford capped off many attacks with six goals and former coach Torin Petrie slotted four.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Saints were Liam Loverso, Joe and Nick Maishman, and Kurtis Torney on two.
Was a tough day for Charlton’s forwards were Jake Lawry and Joseph Nihill were on target.
St Arnaud’s best were Nick Maishman, Max Hungerford, Liam Loverso, Joe Maishman, Torin Petrie and Kurtis Torney.
The Harley Durward and Darby Schilder-coached Saints lead the ladder.
Best for the Carl Thiesz-coached Charlton were Elliott Fitzpatrick, Ben Lanyon, Jed and Rhys Thompson, Jake Lawry and Darcy McCallum.
Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
St Arnaud 837 per cent, 4 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 177, 4; Wedderburn 148, 4; Donald 113, 4; Boort 87, 0; Calder United Lions 67, 0; Birchip-Watchem 56, 0; Charlton 11, 0.
Round two on Saturday features the ’25 grand final rematch between Birchip-Watchem and Calder United Lions in the Bulls’ pen at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip from 2.30pm.
St Arnaud and Donald will vie for the Chris “Pa” Wall Memorial trophy on the Saints’ ground at Lord Nelson Park.
The Woosang Challenge between Wedderburn and Charlton will be on at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
Boort takes on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Boort Park.
Leaders in the senior goalkicking race:
6 Max Hungerford, SA.
4 Max Cahoon, SLN; Matthew Perri, W’burn; Torin Petrie, SA.
3 Ricardo Liparota, BW.
2 Liam Bianco, B; Danko Bzenic, B; Ethan Coleman, B; Baxter Donnellon, D; Liam Loverso, SA; Joe Maishman, SA; Nick Maishman, SA; Zach Pallpratt, W’burn; Joseph Reid, BW; Kayne Rutley, B; Jack Smith, B; Rylee Smith, CU; Steven Stroobants, CU; Kurtis Torney, SA.