BY NATHAN DOLE
Bulls face Royals on Birchip’s turf
THE Birchip-Watchem Bulls take on Donald in Saturday’s second round of the Goldacres senior footy action in the North Central competition.
After an impressive four-goal win at Nullawil in the season opener, Birchip-Watchem is up against the Royals who beat Wycheproof-Narraport by 27 points last Saturday.
The clash of the Bulls and Royals starts at 2.30pm at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
A strong Bulls team coached by Trevor Ryan includes Ty Colbert, Ben Edwards, Dale Hinkley, Marshall and Nicholas Rippon, Lachlan Ryan and Sam Simmons.
Huge coup for Birchip-Watchem was recruiting Sandhurst ruckman Hamish Hosking.
Donald’s defensive workrate will be crucial in halting the Bulls charge into attack.
Players to watch for the Royals include captain Hayden Geddes, Noah Berry, Andrew Browne, Ryan Leeder, James Wall and Jesse Wallin.
Wedderburn is on home turf at Donaldson Park to take on reigning premier Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Huge test for rookie coach Tom Metherell following Wedderburn’s first-up win at St Arnaud by 89 points.
The Redbacks are up against an attack led by former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins and co-coach Billy McInnes.
Key players for Wedderburn include Danny Benaim, Tom Campbell, Jordan Hargreaves, Darcy Jackson, Hamish and Joe Lockhart, Jackson McEwen and Adam Postle.
There’s also the Holt trio of Louis, Oscar and Rhordan Holt.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s team bound for Wedderburn includes captain Ryan O’Sullivan, Tyson McKenzie, Connor Michael, John Summerhayes, and co-coach Bryce Delmenico.
The Tigers also have Joel, Kane and Wade Donnan capable of winning plenty of the footy.
Wycheproof-Narraport tackles St Arnaud in the clash of the Demons and Saints.
The Wayne Mitrovic-coached Wycheproof-Narraport has home-ground advantage as it aims to bounce back from defeat.
Players to watch for the Demons include ruckman Lachlan Van Schaik, Boe and Jed Bish, centreman George Turner, Morgan and Robert Fawcett, and the experienced Rick Allan.
In attack, Wycheproof-Narraport has Alex Hogan, Chris Cox, and Josh and Nicholas Grabowski.
The Scott Driscoll-coached St Arnaud will be aiming for greater consistency in all quarters.
Best for the Saints in round one included Harley Durward, Matthew Goode, Ryan Lempa and Zac Phillips.
St Arnaud has former coach Torin Petrie at full-forward to team with Mitch Egan, Jake Hicks and Jake Male.
Crucial roles to be played by Daniel Gifford, Bailey Durward and Tyson Funston in defence, and by on-ballers Kurtis Torney and Mitch Birthisel.
The day’s play will be completed with a night match between Boort and Charlton starting at 6pm at Boort Park.
Was a tough test for the Dale Cameron-coached Boort in round one at Sea Lake.
Boort’s best against the Tigers were James Keeble, Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and James Byrne.
The Magpies will look to Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Will Perryman, Natnael McLaren, Jayden Dick, Matt Hodoras and Jarrod Starr to play well against the Blues.
It’s Charlton’s first hit-out under new coach Mitch Collins from Kangaroo Flat.
A recruit for the Blues is Darcy McCallum from Natte Bealiba.
After three matches with Bendigo Pioneers in its unbeaten start to the Coates Talent League, Nick Thompson is in Charlton’s team to tackle the Magpies.
Other key players for the Blues include Chris Gavaghan, Sean O’Connor, Kris Clifford, Patrick Soulsby and Jesse Taylor.
After not playing in ’23, Kade Blow returns to Charlton’s team.
The Blues also welcome back Thomas Finlay and Bailey Kemp.
Nullawil has the bye.
Standings in the Goldacres senior footy competition:
Wedderburn 334 per cent, 4 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 152, 4; Donald 145, 4; Birchip-Watchem 128, 4; Nullawil 77, 0; Wycheproof-Narraport 68, 0; Boort 65, 0; St Arnaud 29, 0; Charlton 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
8 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
7 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
6 Trent Grant, Donald.
5 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
4 Ty Colbert, Birchip-Watchem.
4 Oscar Holt, Wedderburn.
4 Nick Keogh, Nullawil.
4 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
4 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
4 Anthony Zelencich, Wedderburn.
3 Jack Exell, Nullawil.
3 Corey Jones, Wycheproof-Narraport.
3 James Keeble, Boort.
3 Jackson McEwen, Wedderburn.
3 Torin Petrie, St Arnaud.