League’s top two clash on Donald’s turf
PLENTY of fans will watch Donald take on Birchip Watchem in Saturday’s 10th round of the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy action.
Donald has home-ground advantage for the showdown between first and second.
In round three, Donald scored an 81-64 win on the Bulls’ turf at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
The Royals and Bulls are in great form and on 8-1 records.
Donald’s only loss was at Sea Lake Nandaly in the seventh round.
A major strength of the Donald line-up is through midfield where it has Daniel Venditti, Ross Young and Rian McGough.
The Royals have Leigh and Will Burke and Ryley Barrack to lead the attack.
Other key players for Donald include Brody Haddow, Michael Foster, Jordan Bath and Scott Wood in defence.
Birchip-Watchem will be determined to gain a psychological edge in the lead-up to the finals.
A strong Bulls’ attack is led by Will Sheahan, Daniel Castellano and Lachy Foott.
Other key players for the Bulls include ruckman Lochlan Sirett, Sam Simmons, Stefan Pye and Lachlan Ryan.
Boort will mark win number three or Charlton its first when the Magpies and Navies clash at Boort Park.
The round three showdown ended in a 79-77 win for Boort at Charlton.
It’s been a tough run for both teams.
Key players for Boort include Keiren Wilson and Tom Potter in defence, ruckman Nathan Twigg, Cody Gunn, Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Levi Moss.
The Magpies also welcome back Matt Chisari to the centre.
Charlton worked hard to score nine goals in last Saturday’s home game against Sea Lake Nandaly.
Ruck-rover Kade Blow and rover Aaron Walklate were best for the Navies.
Charlton will look to Bailey Kemp, Anthony Judd and Riely Thiesz to lead the attack and for Cobi Fitzpatrick, Jed and Rhys Thompson, Tim Hill and Daniel Thiesz to win plenty of contests.
Play at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud will be the Saints against Wedderburn.
In round three, Wedderburn beat St Arnaud by 93 points at Donaldson Park.
The Redbacks fought on for a 64-63 win as Joe Lockhart, Mitch McEwen and Luke Holt led the way in last Saturday’s clash at Wycheproof.
Wedderburn’s squad to play the Saints includes Tom Campbell, Jackson Guan, Jordan Hargreaves, Jaran McKay, Adam Postle and Hamish Winter-Irving.
St Arnaud’s best in the round nine match at Donald included Bailey and Harley Durward, Matthew Goode and Jacob Tillig.
The Saints will also look to coach Torin Petrie, Heath McNally, Jake and Josh Hicks, and Jacob Tillig to play well.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are back at home to take on Wycheproof-Narraport.
It was a 101-point win for the Tigers at Wycheproof in round three.
A strong Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers team has Trent Donnan in the centre, Ryan O’Sullivan in the ruck, coach Joel Donnan, Matt Elliott and Billy McInnes in attack.
The Demons will have a hard time breaking through a defence led by Cox, Adcock and Poulton.
Last week’s one-point loss to Wedderburn has put Wycheproof-Narraport three wins behind the Redbacks.
The Demons will be keen to show they have improved a lot since they last met the Tigers.
Players to watch for Wycheproof-Narraport include onballers Justin Bateson and Ged Hommelhoff, Joel Turner in the centre, ruckman Lachlan Van Schaik, Spencer Allan and Damien Horbury in defence, Cody Green in attack.
North Central FL senior footy ladder:
Donald 265 per cent, 32 points; Birchip-Watchem 229, 32; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 280, 28; Wedderburn 124, 20; Wycheproof-Narraport 79, 12; St Arnaud 41, 8; Boort 40, 8; Charlton 32, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
40 Billy McInnes, SLN.
27 William Sheahan, BW.
26 Daniel Castellano, BW.
21 Tom Campbell, W’burn; Blake Grant, D.
20 Will Simpson, SLN.
18 Leigh Burke, D.
17 Jordan Rosengren, W’burn.
16 Danny Benaim, W’burn; Cody Green, WN.
15 Justin Ellis, SLN; Brody Haddow, D.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo Credit – 1Mile2Go Photography