THE rematch of ’25 grand finalists Birchip-Watchem and Calder United highlights Saturday’s second round in Goldacres North Central senior footy.
The Bulls and Lions meet in the pen at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip at 2.30pm.
When these clubs met in last September’s grand final it was the Lions who roared to an 80-70 victory at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
Birchip-Watchem goes into this match without coach Ash Connick who accepted a two-match ban after lodging an early guilty plea for abusive, insulting or obscene language towards an umpire in round one.
Best for the Bulls in a 31-point loss to Sea Lake Nandaly in Tigers’ territory at Sea Lake were Ben Lakin, Dale Hinkley, Daniel Rendell and Ricardo Liparota.
Calder United is on the rebound from a 22-point loss on its turf at Nullawil against Wedderburn.
Key players for a Lions’ squad coached by Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley include Mitch Farmer, Justin Laird, Oscar Madden, Dean Putt, Steven Stroobants, and George Turner.
The round also features two trophy matches.
St Arnaud and Donald will vie for the Chris “Pa” Wall Memorial trophy at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
Both teams take winning form into this contest.
The Saints scored a 118-point victory at Charlton Park.
Key match-ups include Saints’ centre half-forward Max Hungerford against Bill Sam, Jake Male and Charlie Campbell in the ruck, and Oliver Rogers at full-back opposed to Cooper MacKenzie-George.
The Saints’ line-up includes Bailey and Harley Durward, Joe and Nick Maishman, Torin Petrie, and Max Witherden.
Winless last season, Donald scored an 82-72 win at home against Boort.
Donald is being coached by Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder.
Players to watch for the Royal Blues include Lachlan Bourke, Baxter Donnellon, Luca Rice, Thomas Reekie, and Lachlan and Parker Sneddon.
It’s the Woosang Challege as Wedderburn hosts Charlton at Donaldson Park.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn will be determined to build on the momentum gained from the win against Calder United.
Key players for the Redbacks include co-captains Joe Lockhart and Jackson McEwen, Matt Perri, Mitch McEwen, Hamish Lockhart, Zach Pallpratt, and Adam Postle.
Another big test for the Carl Thiesz-coached Navies in the Redbacks’ web.
Charlton will look to co-captains Bailey Hooper-Dixon and Billy Sexton, Kris Clifford, Mason Heenan, Sean O’Connor, Ben Lanyon, and Jed Thompson to have a major influence on this match.
It’s the Magpies against the Tigers as Boort hosts Sea Lake Nandaly at Boort Park.
The Andrew Rutley-coached Boort will have to up its defensive game signicantly against the Tigers.
Best for Boort in round one were Carlos Egan, James Byrne, Max Beattie and Liam Bianco.
The Magpies’ squad includes Ethan Coleman, James and Keiren Wilson, and Lachlan Fitzgerald.
Sea Lake Nandaly is now jointly coached by Boyd Bailey and Wade Donnan.
Huge inclusion for the Tigers is former Richmond and North Melbourne player Robin Nahas who kicked a goal in the win against Birchip-Watchem.
Nahas has added 117 games of AFL experience to the SLN line-up.
The pacy midfielder/forward played at VFL level with Coburg, Werribee, and Port Melbourne.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s team bound for Boort includes Max Cahoon, Thomas Cox, Bryce Delmenico, Trent Donnan, Billy McInnes, and Brody Weir.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
St Arnaud 837 per cent, 4 points; Sea Lake Nandaly 177, 4; Wedderburn 148, 4; Donald 113, 4; Boort 87, 0; Calder United Lions 67, 0; Birchip-Watchem 56, 0; Charlton 11, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
6 Max Hungerford, SA.
4 Max Cahoon, SLN; Matt Perri, W’burn; Torin Petrie, SA;
3 Ricardo Liparota, BW.
2 Liam Bianco, 2; Danko Bzenic, B; Ethan Coleman, B; Baxter Donnellon, D; Liam Loverso, SA; Joe Maishman, SA; Nick Maishman, SA; Joseph Reid, BW; Kayne Rutley, B; Jack Smith, B; Rylee Smith, CU; Steven Stroobants, CU; Kurtis Torney, SA.