BY NATHAN DOLE
WEDDERBURN capped a brilliant final quarter fightback to beat Nullawil in Saturday’s 17th round of senior footy in the Goldacres North Central FNL season.
The Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn was down 46-71 at three quarter-time of the match at Nullawil.
In the last term it was the Redbacks who dominated play to score 5.3 to just three behinds to clinch a 79-74 victory.
A hot run form by Barnes kept rolling as he finished with a match-high six goals for the red and black.
Nullawil’s attack was led by captain Jordan Humprheys, four goals, and Andrew Casey and Andrew Thompson on two.
Best for Wedderburn were Luke Holt, Tom Campbell, Sam Lockhart, Robert Whyman, Louis Holt and Sam Barnes.
Jordan Humphreys, Patrick Kelly, Dean Smith, Ben Brennan, Lucas Caccaviello and Josh Bamford were best for the Brett Barker-coached Nullawil.
Five and four-goal hauls by Nick Thompson and Chris Gavaghan inspired Charlton to a 16-point victory against Wycheproof-Narraport.
The Andy Nisbet-coached Charlton made a great start to lead 31-14 at quarter-time of the match at Charlton Park.
The Demons fired up to win the second term, 31-19.
A one-goal lead for the Navies was two majors going into the final quarter after Charlton scored 3.3 to 2.3 in the third term.
Led by the play of Sam Woods, Jaydon Cowling and Chris Gavaghan, Charlton also won the final term, 25-21, and the match, 15.6 (96) to 12.8 (80).
Former North Melbourne star Corey Jones kicked a match-high six goals for Wycheproof-Narraport.
Best for Charlton included Riely Thiesz, Nick Thompson and Ben Lanyon.
Alex Hogan, Thomas Trewin, Spencer Allan, Justin Bateson, Matthew Beckmanns and Gedd Hommelhoff were best for the Boe Bish-coached Demons.
Sea Lake Nandaly dominated its clash with Donald.
It was first against third on Sea Lake’s turf.
The SLN Tigers led 37-24 at quarter-time and then slammed on 5.3 to nil in the second.
Former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins kicked a match-high five goals as the Tigers charged to a 126-38 victory.
Other multiple goalkickers for the yellow and black were co-coach Billy McInnes, four, and John Summerhayes, three.
Sam Dunstan booted four goals for Donald.
Best for a Tigers line-up jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico were Billy McInnes, Tyson McKenzie, Brody Weir, Austin Mertz, Thomas Cox and Jordan Bath.
Josh Potter, Sam Dunstan, Noah Berry, James Wall, Ryan Bath and Ross Young worked hard for the Rohan Brown-coached Donald team.
Boort scored a 44-point win on St Arnaud’s turf at Lord Nelson Park.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort led 33-24 at quarter-time and 52-31 by the main break.
St Arnaud lifted to score four straight goals in the third term as the Magpies added 3.6.
The classy Natnael McLaren went on to kick five goals in a 114-70 victory for Boort.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Magpies were Frasier Holland, three; Ethan Coleman, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Harry Weaver on two each.
The Saints’ attack was led by former coach Torin Petrie, four; Jake Hicks and Jacob Tillig on two.
Boort’s best were Alex Davis, Ryan McGhie, Tom Potter, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Matt Chisari and Natnael McLaren.
Kurtis Torney, Brad Organ,, Torin Petrie, Will Jackson, Jacob Tillig and Zac Notting played well for the Anthony Bourke-coached Saints.
Birchip-Watchem had the bye.
Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 274 per cent, 60 points; Birchip-Watchem 164, 44; Donald 114, 40; Nullawil 146, 36; Wycheproof-Narraport 83, 30; Wedderburn 113, 28; Boort 79, 18; Charlton 56, 16; St Arnaud 29, 0.
The final leg in the 18-round home and away series will be played next Saturday from 2.30pm.
Wedderburn takes on Sea Lake Nandaly at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
Donald and Charlton clash on the Royal Blues’ turf at Donald Recreation Reserve.
Birchip-Watchem tackles St Arnaud at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Boort faces Nullawil at Boort Park.
Wycheproof-Narraport has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
79 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
69 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
56 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
43 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
41 Nick Thompson, Charlton.
38 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
38 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
36 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
33 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
32 John Summerhayes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
30 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
29 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
27 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
26 Jordan Humphreys, Nullawil.
24 Danny Benaim, Wedderburn.
24 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
24 Chris Gavaghan, Charlton.
24 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
23 Dean Smith, Nullawil.
20 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.
20 Tyson McKenzie, Sea Lake Nandaly.
19 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
19 Cody Green, Wycheproof-Narraport.
18 Ben Fraser, Wycheproof-Narraport.
17 Natnael McLaren, Boort.
16 Andrew Casey, Nullawil.
16 Jake Hicks, St Arnaud.
16 Jordan Rosengren, Wedderburn.
15 Rick Allan, Wycheproof-Narraport.
15 Corey Jones, Wycheproof-Narraport.