FOOTY returns to Wycheproof this Saturday when Calder United tackles Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the 14th round of Goldacres North Central senior footy.
It’s third against first from 2.30pm.
When these clubs met in round seven it was the Tigers who charged to a 94-66 victory at Sea Lake Oval.
Both teams take winning form into this contest.
Sea Lake Nandaly broke Wedderburn’s unbeaten run in a 62-point victory in Tigers’ territory last Saturday.
The Lions fought for a 96-76 win on Donald’s turf.
There will be plenty of exciting match-ups as the reigning premier takes on Sea Lake Nandaly.
Key players for the Jordan Humphreys and Tom Bickley-coached Calder United include Steven Stroobants, Justin Laird and Dale Pearce in attack; George Turner in the centre; and Oscar Madden, Boe Bish and Daniel Watts in defence.
A powerful SNL team includes playing co-coaches Boyd Bailey and Wade Donnan and the likes of Brandon Bailey, Max Cahoon, Thomas Cox, Lachy McClelland, Billy McInnes, Connor Michael and Robin Nahas.
Birchip-Watchem faces Donald at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
The Ash Connick-coached Bulls passed the 200-point mark as they scored 30.21 in last Saturday’s clash at Charlton Park.
A Bulls’ attack which includes Ricardo Liparota and Rhona Conboy will test the Donald defence.
The Birchip-Watchem squad includes Zane Connick, Ty Colbert, Lachy Foott, Dale Hinkley, Hamish Hosking, Ben Lakin and Mac Lewis.
In-form players for Donald include Thomas Guljas, Parker Sneddon and Bill Sam.
The play of Dyson Bell-Warren, Baxter Donnellon and Luca Rice will be vital to the Royal Blues’ chances of an upset win.
The Daniel Pearce and Matt Walder-coached Donald has achieved 3 ½ wins which includes a 64-all draw with the Birchip-Watchem Bulls in round seven.
Boort and Charlton clash at Boort Park.
The Andrew Rutley-coached Boort is on the rebound from a 30-point loss to St Arnaud on the Saints’ turf at Lord Nelson Park.
Boort had to work hard for a 102-82 win at Charlton in the seventh round.
Key players for the Magpies include Liam Bianco in the centre, James and Keiren Wilson in defence, James Byrne, Jackson Daley and Kayne and Tyson Rutley in attack.
Boort has ruckman Connor Dalgleish to join forces with Lachlan Hall and Jonathan Lanyon at centre ball-ups and stoppages.
Boort will be without Carlos Egan who was handed a one-match ban after lodging an early guilty plea for striking.
It’s been an incredibly challenging season for Charlton coach Carl Thiesz and the team.
Key players for the Navies include rover Jeff Debast, Ben Lanyon at centre half-back, Ethan Soulsby on a wing, ruck-rover Mason Heenan, and Jed Thompson, Sean O’Connor and Jackson Zagame on the last line of defence.
Up forward Charlton will look to Bailey Hooper-Dixon, Jaydon Stiles and Xav Tadd to capitalise on chances.
It’s the showdown of the Redbacks and Saints as Wedderburn plays St Arnaud at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn will be fired up after its first loss of this campaign.
Players to watch for the Redbacks include Noah Furlong, Isaac, Louis and Oscar Holt, Hamish and Joe Lockhart, Jye Mortlock, and Zach Pallpratt.
St Arnaud’s score of 142 against Boort last Saturday was the team’s second-highest of the season.
The Saints’ charge to victory against the Magpies was led by Max Hungerford and Torin Petrie on five goals each as Nick and Joe Maishman, Harrison Saunders and Jay Kirwood won plenty of the footy.
St Arnaud is jointly coached by Harley Durward and Darby Schilder.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder after 13 rounds:
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 264 per cent, 48 points; Wedderburn 204, 48; Calder United Lions 164, 36; Birchip-Watchem 146, 30; St Arnaud 89, 20; Donald 85, 14; Boort 66, 12; Charlton 13, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
64 Max Cahoon, SLN.
59 Steven Stroobants, CUL.
55 Dale Pearce, CUL.
38 Ricardo Liparota, BW.
30 Matt Perri, W.
29 Ashley Reed, D.
26 Joseph Reid, BW.
25 Torin Petrie, SA.
24 Boyd Bailey, SLN; Oscar Holt, W.
23 Tyler Curtis, W; Max Hungerford, SA; Jay Kirwood, SA; Lachy McClelland, SLN.
21 Rylee Smith, CUL.
20 Rhona Conboy, BW.
19 Billy McInnes, SLN; Kayne Rutley, B.