Birchip Watchem Bulls charge to premiership glory
THE Bulls from Birchip Watchem charged to premiership glory in the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy grand final on Saturday.
After a hat-trick of grand final defeats, Birchip Watchem was determined to not mark number four as it took on Donald at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.
It was Donald which led by two points at quarter-time after it scored 2.2 to a wayward 1.6 by the Bulls.
The lead for the Rohan Brown-coached Royals was up to 15 points by half-time.
Donald scored 3.3 to 1.2 in the second term.
In the third the Trevor Ryan-coached Birchip Watchem started to win more centre clearances and stoppages.
The Bulls also set up plenty of attacking moves to score 4.7 to 2.1.
By three quarter-time it was Birchip Watchem which led 51-48.
The play of ruckman Lochlan Sirett, Elliot Jaeschke and Kyle Stevens was superb as the Bulls slammed on 4.3 to 1.3 in the last quarter to complete a 78-57 victory.
Multiple goalkickers for Birchip Watchem were Dylan Adkins and Will Sheahan on two.
Also on target were Daniel Castellano, Dale Hinkley, Elliot Jaeschke, Joseph Reid, Marshall Rippon and Kyle Stevens.
Goalkickers listed by Donald were Leigh Burke, three; Josh Potter, two; Ryley Barrack and Sam Griffiths.
Best for Birchip Watchem included Will Sheahan, Daniel Castellano and Joseph Reid.
The Royals’ best were Ryan Hards, Ryley Barrack, Dyson Bell-Warren, Seamus Young, Daniel Venditti and Sam Griffiths.
Birchip Watchem captain Dale Hinkley proudly raised the premiership cup, a feat not done by a Bulls’ on-field leader since 2001.
The Haeuslers reserves grand final ended in a big win for Donald against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
At quarter-time it was Donald in front, 12-9.
The Royals scored 3.5 to 1.1 in the second term to hold a 19-point buffer at half-time.
Noah Berry went on to kick a match-high five goals and Ryan Bath added two as Donald marked a 65-24 victory.
Other goalkickers for the Royals were Michael Donnellon, Eddie Landwehr and Aaron Schofield.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Damon Bailey, Billy Poulton and Nathan Wright.
Donald’s best were Eddie Landwehr, Noah Berry, Cooper Anderson, Ryan Bath, Tom George and Dion Hawkes.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were Connor Michael, Ben Daniels, Angus Collins, Lachy McClelland, Nelson Ibbs and Dylan Boltuc.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were premiers in the Charlton and District Community Bank under-17s competition.
The Tigers took on Boort in the season decider.
A great start by Sea Lake Nandaly netted a score of 5.2 to 2.0 in the first term.
Boort lifted to win the second quarter, 1.4 to 1.2.
The Magpies faced an 11-point deficit going into the final term after they scored 3.2 to 2.1 in the third quarter.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers seized control in the last as they added 1.1 and kept Boort scoreless to claim a 60-42 victory.
A four-goal feat by Jed Daniels earned best afield honours for Sea Lake Nandaly as Brock Crowe, Nate McClelland, Jet Newick and Cruz O’Sullivan were the other listed goalkickers for the Tigers.
Boort’s attack was led by Frasier Holland on three as co-captain Tom Potter, Nicholas Scott and Brodie Wagner added a goal each.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were Jed Daniels, Thomas Cox, Max Cahoon, Isaac Durie, Will Conlan and Brock Crowe.
Donald’s best were Max Beattie, Alex Cockerell, Sam Barraclough, Lachlan Hall, Beau Herrington and Zachary Mayberry.
Grand final day kicked off with the Uniting Church under-14s match between Donald and St Arnaud.
The Royals led 13-1 at half-time before both teams added a point each in the third.
It was Donald which finished the game with plenty of run to score 2.4 to a goal.
At the final siren the Royals were up 30-7.
Baxter Donnellon capped a best on ground performance with two goals as Chase Campbell and Lyric Davis were also on target.
William Eden goaled for St Arnaud.
Best for Donald were Baxter Donnellon, Ethan Clapham, Chase Campbell and Luca Rice.
Abby Weir, Frankie Donald, Aidan Wickham, Jack Batters, Otis Patton and Fraser Burke played well for the Saints.
Written by Nathan Dole.
