THE clash of top-two teams, Wedderburn and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers highlights this Saturday’s round 13 action in Goldacres North Central senior footy.
Sea Lake has home-ground advantage as it strives to end Wedderburn’s unbeaten run.
The showdown of the Tigers and Redbacks starts at 2.30pm.
When these clubs met in round six it was Wedderburn which marked an 84-44 victory on its turf at Donaldson Park.
The Tigers won last Saturday’s match at Donald for the Mount Of Prevention (Respect) Cup by 74 points.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn won a closely-fought contest at Boort Park by 26 points.
There will be many exciting match-ups between the Tigers and Redbacks.
An SLN attack that includes Max Cahoon, Bryce Delmenico, Billy McInnes and Adam Pattison will be up against Isaac Holt, Corey Lowry, Adam Postle and Thomas Hawke.
Tigers’ on-ballers Connor Michael, co-coach Wade Donnan and Zac Kelly take on Dane Keuken, Mitch McEwen and Hamish Lockhart.
In the centre, Sea Lake Nandaly co-coach Boyd Bailey will be opposed by Zach Pallpratt.
A Tigers’ defence which includes Cooper Roberts, Charlie Cox, Brandon Bailey, Billy Poulton, Jai Wright and former Richmond and North Melbourne player Robin Nahas is up against Joe Lockhart, Noah Furlong, Noah Furlong, Oscar Holt, Tom Campbell, Jye Mortlock and Darcy Jackson.
Donald will be on home turf against reigning premier Calder United Lions.
In round six the Lions beat the Royal Blues by 19 points in Wycheproof.
Huge challenge for Donald to beat Calder United which marked a 30-goal win at Charlton for the Mount Of Prevention (Respect) Cup.
Key players for Donald include co-coach and ruck-rover Daniel Pearce, ruckman Charlie Campbell, Luca Rice, Bill Sam, Parker Sneddon and Harry Forrest.
The Royals have Matt Walder as co-coach.
A powerful attack for the Lions includes Mitch Farmer, Justin Laird, Dale Pearce and Steven Stroobants.
An on-ball group of Dean Putt, Steven Kennedy and Rylee Smith is likely to drive many of Calder United’s attacks.
The Lions’ team coached by Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley is third in the premiership race on eight-four record.
St Arnaud faces Boort on the Saints’ ground at Lord Nelson Park.
Back in round six the Andrew Rutley-coached Boort marked a six-goal win against the Saints.
Although it was beaten, St Arnaud will have gained positives from last Saturday’s 26-point loss to Birchip-Watchem.
In-form players for the Saints include Joe and Nick Maishman, Sean Holroyd and Harrison Saunders.
St Arnaud is jointly coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder.
The Boort line-up for this contest includes Danko Bzenic, Ethan Coleman, Jackson Daley, Kayne and Tyson Rutley, Sam Toose, and James and Keiren Wilson.
A tough run for Charlton rolls on as The Navies play Birchip-Watchem at Charlton Park.
In round six the Ash Connick-coached Birchip-Watchem beat Charlton by 111 points at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Crucial roles for the Carl Thiesz-coached Charlton will be played by Mason Heenan, Bailey Hooper-Dixon, Ben Lanyon, Jayden McPhee, Sean O’Connor, Jed Thompson, and Jackson Zagame.
Best for Birchip-Watchem in last Saturday’s win at St Arnaud were Heath Smith, Zane Connick, Meyrick Buchanan and Harry Cook.
The Bulls’ squad includes Ty Colbert, Lachy Foott, Dale Hinkley, Ricardo Liparota, Joseph Reid, and Sam Simmons.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Wedderburn 240 per cent, 48 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 269, 44; Calder United Lions 168, 32; Birchip-Watchem 123, 26; St Arnaud 85, 16; Donald 86, 14; Boort 65, 12; Charlton 14, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
60 Max Cahoon, SLN.
54 Dale Pearce, CUL.
53 Steven Stroobants, CUL.
31 Ricardo Liparota, BW.
30 Matt Perri, W.
28 Ashley Reed, D.
26 Joseph Reid, BW.
24 Boyd Bailey, SLN.
23 Tyler Curtis, W.
21 Oscar Holt, W; Rylee Smith, CUL.
20 Lachy McClelland, SLN; Torin Petrie, SA.