Tigers fight Redbacks to stay in Cup race
SEA Lake Nandaly Tigers will fight Wedderburn to stay in the race for the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy premiership race this Saturday.
The Tigers and Redbacks will clash in the first semi-final at Donald.
First meeting between the first semi-finalists was in round four where the Tigers raced to a 67-12 lead by half-time on the way to a 96-44 victory.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Billy McInnes, six goals; Justin Ellis and Austin Mertz, three.
Danny Benaim and Tom Campbell kicked two goals each for Wedderburn.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were Austin Mertz, Brodie Adcock, Ryan O’Sullivan and Trent Donnan.
The Redbacks’ best were Corey Lowry, Darcy Jackson, Sam Lockhart and Jayden Jones.
In round 11 the SLN line-up won 111-24 at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
The Joel Donnan-coached Tigers made another superb start to lead 25-2 at quarter-time and 47-10 by half-time.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s defence worked brilliantly to hold Wedderburn to a single goal in quarters two, three and four.
Justin Ellis led the Tigers’ attack on four goals as Wade Donnan, Billy McInnes and Will Simpson added three, and captain Matt Elliott booted two.
Best for the Tigers were Austin Mertz, Brodie Adcock, Trent Donnan and Matt Elliott.
Wedderburn’s best were Joe Lockhart, Jaran McKay, Jordan Rosengren and Sam Lockhart.
At the end of the home and away series, SLN had a 12-4 record and Wedderburn was 10-6.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will start favourite to beat the Redbacks for a third time this season.
The Tigers’ powerful onball division of ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan, Austin Mertz and Wade Donnan wins plenty of contests.
They will be up against Jordan Hargreaves, Jaran McKay and captain Corey Lowry.
Redbacks’ defenders Hamish Winter-Irving, Adam Postle, Tim Leahy and Jackson Guan face a daunting task against Will Simpson, Justin Ellis, Billy McInnes and Matt Elliott.
Among the many highlights will be the clash of Tigers’ star Trent Donnan in the centre with Jordan Rosengren.
The Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn has Tom Campbell, Isaac and Luke Holt, and Danny Benaim as main targets in attack.
A strong Tigers’ defence is led by Luke Martin, Kane Donnan, Cooper Roberts and Brodie Adcock.
It will be season over for the beaten team.
The winner will progress to the September 3 preliminary final at Charlton to take on either Birchip Watchem or Donald who meet in the second semi-final on August 27 at Sea Lake.
Grand final day is on September 10 at Wycheproof.
Draw for Saturday’s first semi-finals at Donald
Seniors at 2.30pm: Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Wedderburn
Haeuslers Reserves at 12.35pm: Birchip Watchem v Wedderburn.
Charlton and District Community Bank Under-17 at 10.55am: Birchip Watchem v Charlton.
Uniting Church Under-14 at 9.30am: St Arnaud v Boort.
Leading goalkickers:
58 Billy McInnes, SLN.
43 Will Simpson, SLN.
42 Tom Campbell, W’burn; Daniel Castellano, BW; Will Sheahan, BW.
34 Leigh Burke, D.
33 Blake Grant, D; Justin Ellis, SLN.
31 Cody Green, WN.
28 Brody Haddow, D.
27 Danny Benaim, W’burn; Josh Potter, D; Jordan Rosengren, W’burn.
26 Nathan Gordon, BW.
24 Gedd Hommelhoff, WN.
23 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, B.
22 Matt Elliott, SLN.
Written by Nathan Dole.
