THE rematch of ’25 senior footy grand finalists Birchip-Watchem and Calder United highlights this Saturday’s 16th and final round of the Goldacres North Central home-and-away series.
The Bulls have home-pen advantage at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval when these teams clash from 2.30pm.
When these clubs met in round nine it was the Ash Connick-coached Bulls who won 82-71 in Nullawil.
The Bulls and Lions are both on the rebound from defeat.
Birchip-Watchem was beaten 92-72 by Sea Lake Nandaly in the Tigers’ den.
Best for the Ash Connick-coached Bulls were Ty Colbert, Daniel Bell, Ben Lakin, Ben Hogan, Heath Smith and Rhona Conboy.
The Birchip-Watchem squad includes Zane Connick, Lachy Foott, Dale Hinkley and Will Lee.
The Lions could not halt Wedderburn’s run to a 100-65 victory in Wycheproof.
A Calder United squad coached by Jordan Humphreys, playing, and Tom Bickley, non-playing, includes gun forwards Dale Pearce and Steven Stroobants, as well as Boe Bish, Justin Laird, Oscar Madden and Rylee Smith.
Win or lose, Calder United and Birchip-Watchem will not move the from third and fourth rungs.
A key will be building confidence leading into another finals campaign.
Boort will end its season by hosting Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Boort Park.
Massive challenge for the Andrew Rutley-coached Boort to break SLN’s run.
In round nine the Tigers charged to a 91-victory against the Magpies at Sea Lake Oval.
Boort’s squad for this contest includes James Byrne, Danko Bzenic and Kayne Rutley in attack, and Ethan Coleman, and James and Keiren Wilson in defence.
Magpies’ ruckman Connor Dalgleish is up against Connor Michael who sets up plenty of disposals for Tigers’ co-coach Wade Donnan and Zac Kelly.
In the centre, Liam Bianco faces a huge challenge against SLN co-coach Boyd Bailey.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include Max Cahoon, Charlie Cox, Lachy McClelland, Billy McInnes, and Robin Nahas.
It’s the Saints against the Royal Blues as St Arnaud meets Donald at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
The round nine showdown between them ended in a seven-goal win for the Saints in Donald.
St Arnaud won last Saturday’s match at Charlton Park as Max Hungerford and Jay Kirwood kicked five goals each.
A Saints’ squad coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder includes Mitch Egan, Joe and Nick Maishm=n, Jackson Needs, Torin Petrie and Chase Zander.
Donald’s squad for the season finale includes Dyson Bell-Warren, Hugo Funcke, Kalon Green, Thomas Guljas, Luca Rice, Bill Sam and Julian Seol.
The Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder-coached Royal Blues will be chasing their sixth win of the season.
Wedderburn is back on its turf at Donaldson Park to play Charlton.
A goal for the Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn will be to not let intensity or standards dip dramatically as it prepares for the finals.
In round nine the Redbacks won at Charlton Park by 25 goals.
The Wedderburn squad includes Danny Benaim, Tom Campbell, Jacob DeAraugo, Noah Furlong, Dane Keuken, Jackson McEwen, Zach Pallpratt and Adam Postle.
It’s been a tough season for a young Charlton team coached by Carl Thiesz.
Key players for the Navies include co-captains Bailey Hooper-Dixon and Billy Sexton, Ben Lanyon, Sean O’Connor, Angus and Ethan Soulsby, and Jed Thompson.
Goldacres North Central senior footy ladder:
Wedderburn 205 per cent, 56 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 225, 52; Calder United Lions 156, 40; Birchip-Watchem 144, 34; St Arnaud 90, 24; Boort 83, 20; Donald 80, 14; Charlton 13, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
70 Max Cahoon, SLN.
63 Dale Pearce, CU; Steven Stroobants, CU.
40 Ricardo Liparota, BW.
31 Ashley Reed, D.
30 Matt Perri, W.
29 Oscar Holt, W; Jay Kirwood, SA; Joseph Reid, BW.
28 Max Hungerford, SA; Torin Petrie, SA.
26 Boyd Bailey, SLN.
25 Lachy McClelland, SLN.
24 Kayne Rutley, B.
23 Tyler Curtis, W; Rylee Smith, CU.
22 Rhona Conboy, BW; Billy McInnes, SLN.
21 Jack Smith, B.