Bulls charge to big win in semi showdown with Donald
BIRCHIP Watchem Bulls have charged into the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy grand final.
The Bulls dominated after half-time of Saturday’s second semi-final showdown with the Royals at Sea Lake to win by 37 points.
The Trevor Ryan-coached Birchip Watchem finished the home-and-away series with a 15-1 record and on top of the ladder.
The Bulls’ eyes were on consecutive victories against the Royals.
Birchip Watchem won the round 10 clash at Donald by a goal after the Royals triumphed by 17 points at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval in the third round.
Being first to the grand final was at stake as the Bulls took on Donald in the second semi-final.
The Bulls led 26-14 at quarter-time and held a two-goal buffer at the long break after both teams scored 4.3 in the second term.
In the third it was Birchip Watchem’s accuracy that was a key factor as it scored 5.1 as Donald racked up 3.5.
Led by the play of Nathan Gordon, Lachlan Ryan and Marshall Rippon it was the Bulls who charged clear to score 4.2 to 1.3 in the final term to complete a 110-73 victory.
Nathan Gordon capped a best on ground performance with five goals as Marshall Rippon added three and Jacob Christie, Daniel Ratcliffe and Will Sheahan chipped in with two apiece.
Multiple goalkickers for the Royals were Brody Haddow, three; and Leigh Burke, two.
Birchip Watchem’s best included ruckman Lochlan Sirett, James Lindeback and Jacob Christie.
Best for Donald were Ryley Barrack, Brody Haddow, Josh Potter, Dyson Bell-Warren, captain Ross Young, and Ryan Hards.
As the Bulls rest up for a grand final, Donald takes on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in next Saturday’s preliminary final at Charlton Park.
In round seven, Sea Lake Nandaly won at home against Donald by seven goals.
The Royals won 75-54 when they took on the Tigers at Donald in the 14th round.
It was a Sea Lake Nandaly and Donald showdown in the Haeusleres reserves second semi-final at Sea Lake.
The Tigers led 32-7 at quarter-time and 45-22 by the long break.
A tally of 4.1 to 2.0 in the third term gave SLN a six-goal buffer going into the final quarter.
At the final siren, Sea Lake Nandaly led 82-42.
Harry Harcourt kicked five goals for the Tigers as Nathan Wright added three.
Donald’s attack was led by vice-captain Brenton Dixon with two.
Best for the Tigers were Ben Daniels, Codey Elliott, Connor Michael, Harry Harcourt, Joel Donnan and Nathan Wight.
The Royals’ best were Tom Letts, Brenton Dixon, Brady Griffiths, Ryan Bath, Tom George and Nathaniel Clark.
Donald takes on Birchip Watchem in the preliminary final at Charlton Park.
The Tigers’ cubs from Sea Lake Nandaly won the under-17s second semi-final against Boort by 11 points.
The SLN line-up led 33-26 at half-time of the match in the Charlton District Community Bank-backed competition.
A score of 2.2 to 1.2 in the third gave the Tigers a 15-point lead going into the last term.
It was a high scoring final stanza in which the Magpies added 4.0 to 3.2.
A 60-49 victory put Sea Lake Nandaly into a grand final, while Boort will use its second chance when it meets Birchip Watchem in the preliminary final.
Cruz O’Sullivan kicked three goals for the Tigers as captain Thomas Cox and Brock Crowe added two each.
For the Magpies, Frasier Holland finished with a match-high four goals as Max Beattie chipped in with two.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly were Thomas Cox, Cooper Allan, Will Conlan, Jacob Hatcher, Ethan Ellis and Max Cahoon.
Boort’s best were Alex Cockerell, Jack Potter, Sam Barraclough, Lachlan Hall, Brodie Wagner and Max Beattie.
Second semi-final day kicked off with the Uniting Church under-14s match.
Fans were treated to a thrilling clash between Donald and Sea Lake Nandaly.
The Royals led 12-6 at quarter-time, but the Tigers roared back to score two goals to a point in the second term.
In the third it was Donald which added 2.2 to nil for a nine-point lead going into the last quarter.
The SLN line-up won the term, 7-1, but it was the Royals who celebrated a hard-earned 28-25 victory.
Goalkickers for Donald were Baxter Donnellon, Mitchell Godkin and Jesse Lydom.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Scott Barbary, two; Taj Borlase and Henry Cox.
Donald’s best were Baxter Donnellon, Mitchell Godkin, Ben Perry and Ethan Clapham.
Best for the Tigers were Nate McClelland, Brayden Allan, Jacob Cox, Charlie Goldman, Cruz O’Sullivan and Scott Barbary.
Sea Lake Nandaly and St Arnaud make the trek to Charlton for next Saturday’s under-14s preliminary final.
Written by Nathan Dole.
