BOORT’S and Charlton’s senior footy teams face huge tests as the Goldacres North Central Football League season resumes this Saturday.
The Boort Magpies mark the trek to Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park, and Charlton takes on Birchip Watchem on the Bulls’ patch at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
Both contests are vital as Boort and Charlton are locked on 12 points and separated by one per cent.
The Magpies and Navies take on teams above them on the ladder.
Wedderburn will start favourite against the Andy Hawker-coached Magpies.
The Redbacks unbeaten run was ended in a 109-47 result against Sea Lake Nandaly in the sixth round played on May 22.
Inclusions to Wedderburn’s squad are M. Lockhart, Jacob Piccoli, Louis Holt, O. Holt, Mackenzie Smith and R. Holt.
Isaac Holt and Corey Lowry are out.
Key players for the Redbacks include Ryan Butters, Tom Campbell, Jackson Guan, Jordan Hargreaves, Luke Holt, Adam Postle, Jordan Rosengren and Hamish Winter-Irving.
Boort welcomes back Jesse Muscatello and James Wilson, but Reece Boland and Will Perryman are out.
In the sixth round, Boort won a hard-fought clash with St Arnaud by a goal.
Braeden Deary and Cody Gunn led the Pies’ attack on four and three goals as Darcy Hawker, Keiren Wilson, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Matt Chisari and Ben Knight were best.
Key players for Boort include Angus Trethowan in the centre, Mitch Buchanan in the ruck, and Jack Smith in defence.
Birchip Watchem will be wary of Charlton’s fighting spirit.
In round six, Charlton hit back from a 21-point deficit at three quarter-time to score a 78-72 victory at Donald.
Joe McGrath led the Navies attack on three goals as Angus McKenzie, Ben Walklate, Thomas Finlay and Jack Thompson were best.
Charlton regains Tim Hill, Luke Mulquiny and Patrick Soulsby, but Mason Heenan, Patrick Sait and Jack Thompson are out.
Other key players for Charlton include Jordan Collins, Anthony Judd, Aaron Walklate, Kade Blow, Sam and Sean O’Connor.
Birchip Watchem showed its scoring punch as it had 14 goalkickers in the 162-25 win against Wycheproof Narraport.
Will Lowe, Ruben Vesikuru, Will Sheahan and Riley Hogan starred in Birchip Watchem’s latest victory.
Key players for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls include Lachlan Foott, Nathan Gordon, Dale Hinkley, Stefan Pye, Lachlan Ryan and Sam Simmons
St Arnaud takes on Donald in the Saints territory at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
Victory is a must for Donald which has a record of one win, one draw, four defeats.
The task will not be easy for the Royals as the Saints almost won at Boort on a day where Donald was beaten by Charlton.
Ins for the Saints squad are Jakob Hicks and Brady Tillig, but Bailey Durward and Jake Male are out.
Angus Grant kicked four goals to be St Arnaud’s best at Boort as Jacob Tillig, three goals; Nic Birthisel, Harley Durward and Brad Organ played well.
Other players to watch for the Saints include Nick Baldwin, Will Bertalli and Mitch Egan.
Donald welcomes back Sam Griffiths, Daniel Pearce, Ross Young and Daniel Venditti for Will Burke, Charlie Campbell, Josh Talty and Seamus Young.
The loss of Seamus Young is a blow as he kicked three goals against Charlton.
The play of Leigh Burke, Michael Foster, James Wall, Cooper Anderson and Rian McGough will be crucial to Donald’s quest for a much-needed win.
Wycheproof Narraport takes on the unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly at Wycheproof.
The Demons welcome back Spencer Allan, Rhylie Botheras, James Coatsworth, Mitch Curtis and Adal Zuk as Daniel Allen, Jordan Bish, Kaleb Kennedy and Jack McHutchison are out.
Wycheproof Narraport’s best in its latest hit out included Lachlan Allison, Boe Bish, Sam Faure and Tom Trewin.
A Demons’ defence that includes Trevor Rumbold, Spencer Allan, Jed Bish and Guy Chisnall is likely to face another busy afternoon against a Tigers attack led by Billy McInnes and Austin Mertz.
Key players for Sea Lake Nandaly include Wade Donnan in the centre, Kane Donnan at centre half-back, Ryan O’Sullivan in the ruck, young gun Flynn McGarry, John and Tom Summerhayes, and Brody Weir on a wing.
All matches start at 2.30pm.
Goldacres North Central FL senior football ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 368 per cent, 24 points; Wedderburn 122, 18; Birchip Watchem 210, 16; Boort 71, 12; Charlton 70, 12; Donald 72, 6; Wycheproof Narraport 56, 4; St Arnaud 50, 4.
Written by Nathan Dole.