A RACE to decide fourth place on the Goldacres North Central senior footy ladder heats up in this Saturday’s round 11 action.
The Birchip-Watchem Bulls roll into the round perched on the fourth rung on 18 points as they prepare to host Boort at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
Fifth and sixth on 16 and 14 points, St Arnaud and Donald face big games at Nullawil and Wedderburn.
The Ash Connick-coached Bulls are on the rebound from a 44-point loss to Wedderburn as Boort looks to bounce back from a 25-point loss to Calder United Lions at Boort Park.
Back in round two the Bulls charged to a 76-point win at Boort in Women’s Health Round, Pink Sports Day.
Best for the Bulls at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park last Saturday were Meyrick Buchanan, Zane Connick, Dale Hinkley and Joseph Reid.
A Boort squad coached by Andrew Rutley to play in Birchip includes Liam Bianco, Danko Bzenic, Carlos Egan, Chaise Hird, Harry Weaver and Keiren Wilson.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are back in their den at Sea Lake Oval to play Charlton.
The Tigers won at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park by 70 points last round.
A formidable team in yellow and black includes Kane Donnan, Robin Nahas and Chase Tait in defence; Cruz O’Sullivan and Matt Elliott on the wings; Max Cahoon, Billy McInnes and Adam Pattison in attack.
Co-coaches Boyd Bailey and Wade Donnan will play as centreman and ruck-rover.
Key players for the Carl Thiesz-coached Charlton include Jed Thompson, Sean O’Connor and Mason Heenan in defence; Bailey Hooper-Dixon and Leigh Van Boven across midfield; Billy Sexton and Jaydon Stiles up forward.
Will be another massive challenge for Navies’ on-ballers Ben Lanyon, Jeff Debast and Jackson Zagame.
The unbeaten Wedderburn is back at Donaldson Park to play Donald.
In Women’s Health Round the Tom Metherell-coached Redbacks won at Donald by 45 points.
Players to watch in the red and black include Zach Pallpratt in the centre; Tom Campbell, Oscar Holt and Matt Perri in attack; ruck-rover Mitch McEwen; and Isaac Holt and Adam Postle in defence.
Donald worked hard to beat Charlton in the Bunters Cup clash at Charlton Park.
Key players for the Royal Blues include Luca Rice and Cooper Mackenzie-George in attack; Baxter Donnellon and Bill Sam on the wings; ruckman Charlie Campbell; and Harry Forrest and Parker Sneddon in attack.
The Royals are jointly coached by Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder.
It’s the Lions against the Saints as Calder United faces St Arnaud at Nullawil.
Back in round five Calder charged to a 110-point on St Arnaud’s turf.
A six-four record has the Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley-coached Lions in third place as they chase back-to-back premierships.
Players to watch for Calder United include Justin Laird, Oscar Madden, Dale Pearce, Dean Putt, Rylee Smith, Steven Stroobants, and George Turner.
Best for the Saints in last Saturday’s clash with Sea Lake Nandaly were Jay Kirwood, Mitch Egan, Joe Maishman and former coach Torin Petrie.
The Saints are jointly coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder.
Boort: Andrew Rutley
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Wedderburn 272 per cent, 40 ponints; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 238, 36; Calder United Lions 145, 24; Birchip-Watchem 113, 18; St Arnaud 90, 16; Donald 95, 14; Boort 67, 12; Charlton 15, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
48 Max Cahoon, SLN.
40 Steven Stroobants, CUL.
35 Dale Pearce, CUL.
28 Matt Perri, W.
24 Ashley Reed, C.
22 Ricardo Liparoata, BW; Joseph Reid, BW.
21 Tyler Curtis, W.
18 Lachy McClelland, SLN.
16 Boyd Bailey, SLN; Oscar Holt, W; Max Hungerford, SA; Jay Kirwood, SA; Torin Petrie, SA.
15 Kayne Rutley, B; Rylee Smith, CUL.