CALDER United overcame a 16-point deficit at half-time to win a one-point thriller against Birchip-Watchem Bulls in Saturday’s second round in Goldacres North Central senior footy.
The rematch of the ’25 grand final between the Lions and Bulls did not disappoint the many fans who turned up to the Bulls’ pen at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
Birchip-Watchem led 21-18 at quarter-time and then won the second term, 26-13.
The Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley-coached Calder United powered back to be within four points going into the final quarter.
Consecutive goals by gun recruit Steven Stroobants put the Lions up 71-65 in the 15th minute.
After a hat-trick of behinds, Birchip-Watchem goaled through Will Lee to make it 72-73.
Not long after the siren sounded.
Recruited from South Bendigo, Stroobants capped a great match with five goals and best afield honours.
The Bulls’ attack was led by Meyrick Buchanan on three.
Best the Lions were Stroobants, Steven Kennedy, Rylee Smith, Dean Putt, Hunter Connolly and George Turner.
Ben Lakin, Joseph Madio, Daniel Rendell, Harry Cook, Sam Simmons and Rhona Conboy were Birchip-Watchem’s best.
The Chris “Pa” Wall Memorial trophy is in St Arnaud’s hands after an 11-point win against Donald at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
It was Donald which raced to a 27-14 lead by quarter-time and was up 34-29 at the main break.
A point separated the teams at three quarter-time after the Saints won the third, 20-14.
The Saints surged to a 19-point lead by the 14th minute of the last after Luke Jackson, Lucas Bridger and Jay Kirwood were on target.
Donald’s only goal of the last was kicked by co-coach Daniel Pearce as the Saints won 70-59.
Leading goalkickers for the Saints were Lucas Bridger, Jay Kirwood and Torin Petrie on two.
Donald’s attack was led by Luca Rice on two.
Joe Maishman, Sean Holroyd, co-coach Harley Durward, Torin Petrie, Nick Maishman and Mitch Egan were best for the Saints who also have Darby Schilder as co-coach.
Daniel Pearce, Thomas Guljas, Lachlan Bourke, Luca Rice, Lachlan Sneddon and George Morgan were best for the Royal Blues who have Matt Walder as co-coach.
The Woosang Challenge between Wedderburn and Charlton was played in the Redbacks’ web at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
The Redbacks led 29-nil at quarter-time and then slammed on seven goals in the second.
Wedderburn added four goals in the third and eight in the last on the way to a 160-7 victory.
Gun recruit Matt Perri posted seven goals as Tyler Curtis kicked four.
Other multiple goalkickers were Oscar Holt, three; Noah Furlong, Hamish Lockhart and Zach Pallpratt, two.
Charlton’s goalkicker was Jake Lawry.
Best for the red and black were Hamish Lockhart, Tyler Curtis, Jackson McEwen, Noah Furlong, coach Tom Metherell and Joe Lockhart.
Patrick Soulsby, Liam Ireland, Ben Lanyon, Jeff Debast, Jedd Thompson and Elliott Fitzpatrick were best for the Carl Thiesz-coached Navies.
It was a high-scoring match at Boort Park as the Magpies took on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
The Tigers slammed on eight goals in the opening term to lead 50-19 at the break.
As SLN scored four goals in the second it kept the Magpies to a tally of 2.1.
A high-scoring third went the Tigers way, 48-26.
Thomas Cox and Lachy McClelland capped off many moves with five goals in a 150-85 victory.
Other multiple goalkickers for the yellow and black were Max Cahoon, Brody Weir, three; co-coach Boyd Bailey, Trent Donnan and Zac Kelly, two.
Boort’s attack was led by Carlos Egan on three goals as Ethan Coleman kicked two.
Thomas Cox, Lachy McClelland, Bryce Delmenico, Billy Poulton, Boyd Bailey and Zac Kelly were best for Sea Lake Nandaly which has Wade Donnan as co-coach.
Jonathan Lanyon, Carlos Egan, Liam Bianco, Jackson Daley, Danko Bzenic and Kayne Rutley were best for the Andrew Rutley-coached Magpies.
Goldacres North Central senior footy ladder:
Wedderburn 436 per cent, 8 points; St Arnaud 272, 8; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 176, 8; Donald 99, 4; Calder United Lions 84, 4; Birchip-Watchem 77, 0; Boort 67, 0; Charlton 7, 0.
There will be no play in the North Central on Anzac Day.
Round three on May 2 kicks off at 2.30pm.
The winless Birchip-Watchem takes on the ladder-leading Wedderburn in the Bulls’ pen at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
It’s the clash of the unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and St Arnaud in the Tigers’ den at Sea Lake.
Donald hosts Charlton at Donald Recreation Reserve.
Reigning premier Calder United faces Boort at Nullawil.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
11 Matt Perri, W’burn.
7 Steven Stroobants, CU.
6 Max Hungerford, SA; Lachy McClelland, SLN; Torin Petrie, SA.
5 Tyler Curtis, W’burn.
4 Max Cahoon, SLN; Ethan Coleman, B; Zach Pallpratt, W’burn.
3 Liam Bianco, B; Meyrick Buchanan, BW; Noah Furlong, W’burn; Oscar Holt, W’burn; Ricardo Liparota, BW; Joe Maishman, SA; Nick Maishman, SA; Joseph Reid, BW; Luca Rice, D; Kayne Rutley, B; Rylee Smith, CU.