THE Wycheproof Narraport Demons will turn up the heat for Saturday’s showdown with Donald in round five of the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy season.
It’s Love The Game, Not The Odds round in leagues across AFL Central Victoria’s region.
The Boe Bish-coached Demons face a huge challenge against the ladder-leading Royals.
Team defence will be a key factor in Wycheproof Narraport’s play.
The Demons will look for plenty of intercept marks and spoils from Ryan Duncan, Alex Hogan and Trevor Rumbold in defence, and for Cody Green and James Coatsworth to be on target in attack.
Other players to watch for the Demons include ruckman Lachlan Van Schaik, Gedd Hommelhoff and Justin Bateson.
Donald has plenty of running power, skill and goalscoring options.
In-form players for the Royals include Ross Young in the centre, Ryley Barrack, ruckman/forward Shane Neaves, and Ryan Hards.
Charlton takes on Birchip Watchem at Charlton Park.
It’s another big test for the Navies.
The play of Riely Thiesz, Bailey Kemp, Aaron Walklate, Jackson Zagame, Kade Blow and Tim Hill will go a long way to determining how competitive Charlton will be.
Will Sheahan kicked nine goals in the Bulls latest win and will test the Navies’ defence all match.
Other key players for the Bulls include Sam Simmons in the centre, Josh Booth and Dale Hinkley in defence, Dylan Adkins and Daniel Castellano in attack, ruckman Lochy Sirett, and ruck-rover Stefan Pye.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are on home turf at Sea Lake to face St Arnaud.
A formidable Tigers’ attack is led by Billy McInnes, Matt Elliott and Will Simpson.
Trent and Wade Donnan keep racking up possessions and ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan is one of the league’s most valuable players.
The Torin Petrie-coached Saints are on the rebound from a 128-point loss to Birchip Watchem.
Mitch Egan, William Bertalli, Kurtis Torney and Jake Hicks were St Arnaud’s best last week.
Wedderburn and Boort clash in the Redbacks’ web at Donaldson Park.
The Redbacks will be fired up after a 52-point loss on Sea Lake Nandaly’s turf.
Key players for Wedderburn include Jackson Guan and Hamish Winter-Irving off the half-back line; Danny Benaim, Tom Campbell and Ben DeAraugo in attack; Jordan Rosengren and Corey Lowry.
The Andy Hawker-coached Boort will look to Cam Barr, Tom Potter, James and Keiren Wilson to play well in defence, Cody Gunn, Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Ben Knight to be dangerous in attack.
Levi Moss, Sam Green, Matt Chisari and Jesse Muscatello will be keen to do well at centre breaks and stoppages.
North Central FL senior footy ladder:
Donald 366 per cent, 16 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 372, 12; Birchip Watchem 199, 12; Wedderburn 158, 12; Wycheproof Narraport 62, 8; Boort 47, 4; St Arnaud 33, 0; Charlton 28, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Billy McInnes, SLN.
13 Blake Grant, D.
12 Danny Benaim, W’burn, Daniel Castellano, BW; William Sheahan, BW.
11 Tom Campbell, W’burn; Justin Ellis, SLN; Jordan Rosengren, W’burn.
10 Leigh Burke, D.
9 Ben DeAraugo, W’burn.
8 Cody Green, WN; Riely Thiesz, C.
7 Elliot Jaeschke, BW; Jaran McKay, W’burn; Josh Potter, D.
6 Dylan Adkins, BW; Joshua Hicks, SA; Brodie Leonard-Shannon, B; Ross Young, D.
5 Justin Bateson, WN; Jacob Christie, BW; Bailey Kemp, C.
Written by Nathan Dole.