BY NATHAN DOLE
THE Birchip-Watchem Bulls answered a spirited challenge from Charlton to win Saturday’s 12th round senior footy match in the Goldacres North Central FNL season.
After the Bulls led 43-33 at half-time at Charlton Park it was the Navies who fought back brilliantly to score four goals to just 2.2 in the third.
Scores were locked on 57-all going into the final term.
The Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls lifted their play to added 4.2 to 2.2 in the last to complete an 83-71 victory.
Nathan Gordon kicked a match-high five goals for Birchip-Watchem as Ben Edwards added four.
Charlton’s attack was led by Chris Gavaghan, four; Nick Thompson, three; and Sam Woods, two.
Best for the Bulls were Nathan Gordon, Nicholas Rippon, Dale Hinkley, Marshall Rippon, Jonty Randall and Darcy Reid.
Jesse Taylor, Sam Woods, Chris Gavaghan, Nick Thompson, Patrick Soulsby and Bailey Dixon starred for the Andy Nisbet-coached Navies.
Donald was too strong at home for Wedderburn.
The Royal Blues led 16-7 at quarter-time and 41-27 by the long break.
In the third the Rohan Brown-coached Donald dominated play to score 7.6 to 2.1 to put the result beyond doubt.
Sam Dunstan kicked six goals and Stephen Dinnell added three as the Royals went on for a 109-77 victory.
Other multiple goalkickers for Donald were Ryan Bath and Trent Grant on two each.
Wedderburn coach Sam Barnes kicked a match-high seven goals as Mitch McEwen chipped in with two.
Best for Donald were Will Burke, Ryley Barrack, Trent Grant, Josh Potter, Ross Young and Sam Dunstan.
Jordan Rosengren, Sam Barnes, Darcy Jackson, Hamish Lockhart, Mitch McEwen and Luke Holt were best for the Redbacks.
Wycheproof-Narraport marked a 25-point win against Boort.
The victory kept the Demons within two points of the fourth-placed Donald.
Wycheproof-Narraport dominated the first half to score 4.2 as the Magpies were held to a tally of five behinds.
It was a more free-flowing game in the third as the Boe Bish-coached Demons scored 3.3 and Boort added 2.4.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort won the last term, 16-15, but it was the Demons who celebrated a 62-37 victory.
Rick Allan and Damien Horbury kicked two goals apiece for Wycheproof-Narraport.
Boort’s only multiple goalkicker was Jarrod Fitzpatrick on two.
Best for the Demons were Spencer and Rick Allan, Joe Kenny, Gedd and Koby Hommelhoff, and Josh Walsh.
Ryan McGhie, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Tom Potter, Sam Green, Natnael McLaren and Matt Hodoras were Boort’s best.
Sea Lake Nandaly had 48 scoring shots in a big win against St Arnaud at Sea Lake.
The Tigers led 31-6 at quarter-time and 69-8 by the main break.
A tally of 4.9 in the third by the unbeaten ladder leader was followed by 7.4 in the last to complete a 20.28 (148) to 5.4 (34) victory.
John Summerhayes kicked five goals for the Tigers as co-coach Billy McInnes added four.
Other multiple goalkickers for SLN were Billy Poulton, three; Charlie and Thomas Cox, and Will Simpson, two each.
The Saints’ attack was led by Owen Lowe and Jake Male on two.
Best for a Sea Lake Nandaly team which has Bryce Delmenico as co-coach were Trent Donnan, Charlie Cox, Tyson McKenzie, Luke Martin, Will Simpson and Ryan O’Sullivan.
Jake Male, Owen Lowe, Will Jackson, Will Bertalli, Mitch and Nick Birthisel were best for the Anthony Bourke-coached Saints.
Nullawil had the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 259 per cent, 44 points; Nullawil 170, 28; Birchip-Watchem 165, 28; Donald 114, 28; Wycheproof-Narraport 95, 26; Wedderburn 92, 16; Boort 91, 14; Charlton 48, 8; St Arnaud 29, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s round 13 action will be the top of the ladder clash between Nullawil and Sea Lake Nandaly at Nullawil from 2.30pm.
Boort takes on Donald at Boort Park.
St Arnaud is on home turf at Lord Nelson Park to face Charlton.
Birchip-Watchem clashes with Wycheproof-Narraport at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Wedderburn has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
49 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
43 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
33 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
32 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
31 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
30 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
25 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
24 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
23 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
23 Nick Thompson, Charlton.
22 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
21 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
19 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
19 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
19 John Summerhayes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
18 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
16 Danny Benaim, Wedderburn.
16 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.