-By Nathan Dole
THERE will be plenty of pink on and off the ovals and courts as the Goldacres North Central FNL kicks in to support Breast Cancer Network Australia in Saturday’s fifth round.
A highlight of Play4BCNA and Pink Sports Day will be the clash between Calder United Lions and Boort at Wycheproof from 2.30pm.
It’s third against first as the Lions strive to end the Magpies unbeaten run.
Calder United put in a great effort at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval last Saturday.
A brilliant contest between the Lions and Bulls ended in an 89-87 win for Birchip-Watchem.
Best for the Lions were Zane Keighran, co-coach Jordan Humphreys, Rylee Smith and Daniel Watts.
A Calder United team which has multiple premiership-winning coach Darryl Wilson as co-coach includes Oscar Madden and Josh Walsh in defence, Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer in attack, and Dean Putt in the ruck.
It was a superb effort by the Dale Cameron-coached Boort to win the hit-out with Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Boort Park by eight points.
Players to watch for the Magpies include Keiren Wilson and Ryan McGhie across half-back, Jayden Dick in the centre, and Tom Potter.
The Magpies’ attack is led by Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and Kayne Rutley.
Donald will be determined to end its winless streak when it hosts Charlton.
Been a tough run for Donald which was beaten by St Arnaud in the Chris “Pa” Wall Memorial match on the Saints’ turf at Lord Nelson Park.
Best for the Royals in a 69-point defeat were coach Daniel Pearce, Luca Rice, Dyson Bell-Warren and Kalon Green.
Donald will look for big games from captain Eddie Landwehr in midfield, ruckman Brady Griffiths, Ben and Brent Arho in attack, Darcy Harrison and Thomas Reekie from the wings.
The Mitch Collins-coached Charlton has sights on its second win of the season.
Players to watch for the Navies include ruckman Ben Lanyon, ruck-rover Ben Xiriha, Jed Thompson at full-back, Bailey Kemp, Elliott Fitzpatrick and Sam O’Connor.
Birchip-Watchem will be back at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip to take on Wedderburn.
Best for the Ash Connick-coached Bulls in a 89-87 win against Calder United Lions were Meyrick Buchanan, Nicholas Rippon, Rhona Conboy and Hamish Hosking.
Bulls’ captain Dale Hinkley will be on the sidelines as he was suspended for a match.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn will be fighting to break the Bulls’ unbeaten streak.
In-form players for the Redbacks are Hamish Lockhart, Zach Pallpratt, Jackson and Mitch McEwen.
Wedderburn also has Darcy Jackson, Adam Postle, Jake Pallpratt, Danny Benaim and Noah Furlong capable of winning many contests.
It’s been a long time since Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have not been in the top four.
Premiers of the past two seasons, Sea Lake Nandaly starts this round in fifth place as it takes on St Arnaud at Sea Lake Oval.
Best for the Tigers in the clash at Boort were Thomas Cox, Trent and Wade Donnan, and Jackson McMahon.
A powerful line-up in the yellow and black includes Kane Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Adam Pattison and co-coaches Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes.
Will be a massive test for the Scott Driscoll-coached Saints who had Jay Kirwood, ruckman Zac Phillips, Sean Holroyd and co-captain Mitch Egan lead the charge to victory against Donald.
Big roles will be played by co-captain Kurtis Torney, Darby Schilder in the centre, Torin Petrie, Harley Durward and Brad Organ.
Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Boort 380 per cent, 16 points; Birchip-Watchem 300, 16; Calder United Lions 158, 8; Wedderburn 155, 8; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 122, 8; St Arnaud 74, 4; Charlton 19, 4; Donald 14, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
32 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
28 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort.
16 Joseph Reid, Birchip-Watchem.
16 Kayne Rutley, Boort.
13 Mitch Jensen, Wedderburn.
13 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
12 Jack Exell, Calder United Lions.
10 Peter Barbopoulos, Boort.
9 Carlos Egan, Boort.
8 Mitch Farmer, Calder United Lions.