CLUBS will mark the crucial work of Emergency Services across this Saturday’s fifth round in the Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy.
Emergency Services Round is one of several themed-rounds in this season’s league fixture.
Teams are back in action after last weekend’s rest.
On the field the ladder-leading Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers take on Donald at Sea Lake Oval from 2.30pm.
It’s the clash of the unbeaten Tigers with the Royals who are fourth on a two-two record.
The Tigers slammed on 39 goals as they won at Charlton Park in Women’s Health Round, Pink Sports Day.
Although it had home-ground advantage, Donald could not halt Wedderburn scoring a 45-point victory a fortnight ago.
Key match-ups include Tigers’ ruckman Connor Michael against Charlie Campbell, gun forward Max Cahoon opposed to Parker Sneddon, and Billy McInnes in the SLN defence against Cooper Mackenzie-George.
A formidable Tigers’ team coached by Boyd Bailey and Wade Donnan includes Charlie Cox, Robin Nahas, Kane and Trent Donnan, and Bryce Delmenico.
Key roles for the Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder-coached Donald will be played by Lachlan Bourke, George Morgan, Kalon Green, Bronte Campbell and Thomas Reekie.
Birchip-Watchem is back at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip to take on St Arnaud.
The Ash Connick-coached Bulls start the round in sixth place, but just a win behind the fourth and fifth-placed Donald and St Arnaud.
After a nil-three start, Birchip-Watchem showed fortunes may be changing in a 76-point win at Boort Park in round four.
Best for the Bulls at Boort were Meyrick Buchanan, Joseph Madio, Rhona Conboy and Daniel Bell.
The Birchip-Watchem squad includes Ricardo Liparota, Lachy Foott, Dale Hinkley, and Sam Simmons.
St Arnaud was outrun by Calder United in the clash of the Saints and Lions at Lord Nelson Park in round four.
Nick Maishman, Will Jackson, Lucas Bridger and Mitch Egan worked hard in a 110-point loss to the reigning premier.
A Saints’ squad coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder includes Max Hungerford, Bailey Durward, Jake Male, and Kurtis Torney.
Calder United takes on Charlton at Wycheproof.
Key match-ups for the Lions includes Steven Kennedy in the centre against Zac Wescott, Dean Putt in the ruck opposed to Declan Ryan, and Zac Caccaviello roving against Elliott Fitzpatrick.
The Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley-coached Lions have a powerful attack led by Steven Stroobants, Mitch Farmer and Justin Laird.
Other players to watch for the Lions include co-captains Oscar Madden and Rylee Smith across the half-back line, Jack Marlais on a wing, and Jordan Hughes.
Another massive challenge for the Carl Thiesz-coached Charlton.
The Navies will look for big games from Jeff Debast, Jed Thompson, Xav Tadd, Sean O’Connor, Hugh Sait, Jackson Zagame, and captain Bailey Hooper-Dixon.
An unbeaten Wedderburn is back on its ground at Donaldson Park to take on Boort.
The Tom Metherell-coached Redbacks have teamed superbly to win by 22, 153, 51 and 45 points.
Key players for Wedderburn include Isaac, Louis and Oscar Holt, Hamish and Joe Lockhart, Zach Pallpratt, Matt Perri and Adam Postle.
The Andrew Rutley-coached Boort is yet to open its account.
Boort played well to finish within 10 points of Donald in round one, but has faced three of last season’s finalists in Sea Lake Nandaly, Calder United and Birchip-Watchem.
Best for the Magpies against the Bulls were James Byrne, Carlos Egan, Jacob Mulquiny and Jackson Dalley.
Boort’s squad includes Harry Weaver, Chaise Hird, Danko Bzenic and Liam Bianco.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 338 per cent, 16 points; Wedderburn 293, 16; Calder United Lions 167, 12; Donald 124, 8; St Arnaud 79, 8; Birchip-Watchem 97, 4; Boort 56, 0; Charlton 9, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
27 Max Cahoon, SLN.
21 Steven Stroobants, CU.
19 Matt Perri, W’burn.
14 Ashley Reed, D.
13 Lachy McClelland, SLN; Dale Pearce, CU.
9 Kayne Rutley, B; Joseph Reid, BW.
8 Thomas Cox, SLN; Max Hungerford, SA; Ricardo Liparota, BW.