THE Calder United Lions will try to outrun Birchip-Watchem Bulls in the Goldacres North Central senior footy second semi-final on Saturday in Boort.
Being first to the grand final is the prize for the Bulls and Lions as they clash at Boort Park from 2.30pm.
An unbeaten run by the Ash Connick-coached Birchip-Watchem includes defeating the Lions by two points in round at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Most recent meeting between the clubs was in round 11 where the Bulls won 105-63 at Nullawil.
There will be many crucial match-ups in Saturday’s contest.
Lions’ defenders Oscar Madden, Darcy Munro and co-coach Jordan Humphreys will be up against Ben Edwards, Jacob Noonan and Lachy Foott.
In the on-ball duels the Bulls have ruckman Hamish Hosking teaming up with Sam Simmons and Rhona Conroy.
Calder United’s starting on-ball group will be Dean Putt, Zane Keighran and Steven Kennedy.
In the centre it will be Meyrick Buchanan against Lions’ gun Matt Wade who was a three-time winner of the Jack Betts Medal as Central Murray’s senior fairest and best in his time with Swan Hill.
A strong Birchip-Watchem defence includes Will Lee, Angus Butterfield and captain Dale Hinkley.
Targets in the Lions’ attack include Mitch Farmer, Dale Pearce and Koby Hommelhoff.
Formed by the merger of Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport, Calder United has Darryl Wilson as non-playing co-coach.
As the winner of the second semi-final advances to the grand final the defeated will face Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the September 6 preliminary final at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
It’s the Lions against the Magpies as Calder United faces Boort in the Haeuslers reserves second semi-final at 12.35pm.
Calder United won the round five clash with Boort in Wycheproof by 45 points.
The round 12 showdown at Boort Park ended in a 62-20 win for the Lions.
Calder’s squad to face the Magpies includes Spencer Allan, Rhylie Botheras, Cody Green, James Ison, and Dude, Sol and Zak Kelly.
Best for Boort in the round 16 win against Charlton were Angus Trethowan, Cameron Ross, Nick Scott and Alex Cockerell.
Birchip-Watchem will take on Calder United or Boort in the preliminary final.
The Saints take on the Tigers as St Arnaud and Sea Lake Nandaly contest the Charlton and District Community Bank second semi-final from 10.55am.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings.
St Arnaud marked a 69-10 victory at Sea Lake in round five.
The Tigers roared to a 49-37 win on the Saints’ ground at Lord Nelson Park in round 12.
St Arnaud’s team for Saturday includes Archie and Jack Batters, Chris Chaplin, Chad and Chase Hendy, Archer Reyne and Chase Zander.
The Tigers will be led by captain Brayden and Riley Allan, Taj Borlase, Brody and Cooper Kelly, Nate McClelland, Cruz O’Sullivan, and Hugo Warne.
Second semi-final day kicks off with the Uniting Church under-14s match between St Arnaud and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at 9.30am.
The Saints won in Tigers territory in round five by a goal.
In round 12, St Arnaud marked a 37-9 win against the yellow and black.
The Saints’ squad includes Jesse James, Kayden Keating, Charlie and Duncan Kirk, Arley Reyne and Maddox Stewart.
Sea Lake Nandaly has Riley Allan and Henry Cox as co-captains.
Tyson Allan, Messer, Milton and Randy Bailey, and Jasper Newman will play key roles in the yellow and black’s quest to qualify for the grand final.