NCFL Maddi’s Round Preview

North Central Leagues remember Maddi in first ever “Maddi’s Round”

The North Central FL, North Central NA and North Central HA band together this weekend to show our support to all families in local communities impacted by cancer, currently or in the past, be it themselves or loved ones.

This round is dedicated to the memory of Maddi Fitzpatrick who lost her gallant battle against cancer early this year.

Maddi was an integral member of the Charlton Netball Club and our North Central Netball Community, and this day has been developed to honour her memory.

Maddi’s legacy has left an indelible mark on our netball community through her unwavering commitment and dedication to the sport, her team, and the broader community.

On the field, the stakes are high as Wedderburn and Donald clash in this Saturday’s ninth round of senior footy in the Goldacres North Central season.

Wedderburn has home-ground advantage at Donaldson Park as fifth takes on third from 2.30pm.

The Josh Potter-coached Donald starts the round on 18 points, but more than 20 per cent behind Wedderburn.

A Redbacks’ team coached by Tom Metherell is on 14 points and fighting to claim a spot in the top four.

Neither team won on King’s Birthday holiday weekend.

Wedderburn was beaten at Nullawil by 28 points and the Donald and Boort clash ended in a 73-all draw.

The Redbacks have the marking power of Tom Campbell and Jordan Hargreaves to test the Royals.

Captain Joe Lockhart, Louis and Oscar Holt, Jacob DeAraugo and Michael Zelencich will all play crucial roles for the red and black.

Recruited from Kangaroo Flat, Noah Furlong will mark his third game with the Redbacks.

Players to watch for Donald include Ryan Hards, captain Hayden Geddes, Jamie Papalia, Andrew Browne and Jesse Wallin.

The Royals squad bound for Wedderburn includes Noah Berry, Tom Heuston, Ryan Leeder and Daniel Pearce.

Another big match will be at Wycheproof where Wycheproof-Narraport faces Nullawil.

The Wayne Mitrovic-coached Demons are on the rebound from a 31-point loss on Birchip-Watchem’s turf at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.

Huge plus for Wycheproof-Narraport is the classy Koby Hommelhoff in for his first match of the season.

Boe Bish played his first senior game of ’24 at Birchip.

The Demons will look to Spencer Allan, Josh Walsh, Lachlan Van Schaik, Trevor Rumbold, Maysen Murgov and Jed Bish to lead the way to victory.

Mitrovic was also named in the Demons line-up.

He has not played since the round four victory against Charlton.

Last season’s runner-up, Nullawil is now fourth on a four-three record.

The Daryl Wilson-coached Maroons had Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke kick two goals in last Saturday’s win against Wedderburn.

Cloke is in the team once again.

In-form players for Nullawil include Andrew Casey, Daniel Watts and Rylee Smith.

The Maroons’ attack is led by Mitch Farmer, Andrew Oberdorfer and Adam Thomson.

Other players to watch for the Maroons include on-baller Matthew Wade, Lucas and Zac Caccaviello, and David Isbister.

Charlton takes on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Charlton Park.

Massive test for the Mitch Collins-coached Navies against a team refreshed by the bye.

Latest hit-out for Charlton ended in a seven-goal loss at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.

The Navies will need big games from the likes of Chris Gavaghan, Patrick Soulsby, Thomas Finlay, Bailey Kemp, captain Jed Thompson, Mason Heenan and Jackson Zagame to compete for as long as they can against the Tigers.

Sea Lake Nandaly regains former Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins who has not played since the round six clash at Donald.

Although he has played just four games, Jenkins has kicked 18 goals for the yellow and black.

A team jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes has a win-loss tally of six-one so far.

The Tigers have the likes of Wade Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Brodie Adcock, Brody Weir and Kane Donnan capable of winning many contests.

Boort is back at Boort Park to take on St Arnaud.

A danger game for the Dale Cameron-coached Boort as the Saints’ confidence will be high after a breakthrough victory.

The Boort Magpies will be eyeing their third victory of the season.

Boort’s best in the draw at Donald were Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, James Keeble, Tom Potter and Jayden Dick.

The Magpies’ squad includes captain Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Jarrod Starr, Will Perryman, Ryan McGhie and Keiren Wilson.

Was a terrific effort by the Scott Driscoll-coached Saints to defeat Charlton.

St Arnaud’s charge to victory was led by Mitch Egan, Zac Phillips, Bailey Durward and Thomas Bertalli.

The Saints’ squad includes Jacob Tillig, Jackson Needs, captain Kurtis Torney, Harley Durward and Jake Male.

Birchip-Watchem has the bye.

North Central senior footy ladder:

Birchip-Watchem 196 per cent, 30 points; Sea Lake Nandaly 187, 24; Donald 109, 18; Nullawil 113, 16; Wedderburn 130, 14; Wycheproof-Narraport 84, 12; Boort 74, 10; St Arnaud 43, 4; Charlton 44, 0.

Leading goalkickers:

49 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.

24 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.

22 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.

21 Jack Exell, Nullawil.

20 Trent Grant, Donald.

19 Anthony Zelencich, Wedderburn.

18 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.

18 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.

17 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.

14 Joseph Reid, Birchip-Watchem.

13 Oscar Holt, Wedderburn.

12 James Keeble, Boort.

11 Ethan Coleman, Boort.

10 Blake Grant, Donald.

10 Lachy McClelland, Sea Lake Nandaly.

9 Ty Colbert, Birchip-Watchem.

9 Nicholas Grabowski, Wycheproof-Narraport.

9 Will Perryman, Boort.

8 Daniel Bell, Birchip-Watchem.

8 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.

8 Chris Gavaghan, Charlton.

8 Corey Jones, Wycheproof-Narraport.

8 Steven Kennedy, Wycheproof-Narraport.

8 Josh Potter, Donald.

8 Rylee Smith, Nullawil.