Royals roll into grand final after win against Sea Lake Nandaly
THE Royal Blues from Donald progressed to the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy grand final after Saturday’s preliminary final.
Donald took on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the big clash at Charlton Park.
The Rohan Brown-coached Royals led 18-5 at quarter-time and then scored 4.6 to 4.1 in the next to hold a three-goal buffer going into the marin break.
Led by play of James Wall, captain Ross Young and Ryan Hards it was the Royals who scored 4.4 to 2.1 in the third term.
It was 25-apiece in the last quarter as Donald marked a 101-68 victory and qualification for a grand final showdown with Birchip Watchem on Wycheproof Narraport’s turf.
Donald’s attack was led by Leigh Burke, four; Michael Foster and Feeny medallist Ross Young on three goals.
Will Burke and Josh Potter chipped in with two each for the Royals as Ryan Hards added the other.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Billy McInnes, three; Justin Ellis and John Summerhayes, two.
Other goalkickers for SLN were Thomas Cox, captain Matt Elliott and Brody Weir.
Donald’s best included Reece McNally, Daniel Venditti and Ryley Barrack.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were Brody Weir, Austin Mertz, Thomas Cox, John Summerhayes, Trent Donnan and Callan Noonan.
Donald fought back from three points down at the start of the last quarter to charge to a 71-54 victory against Birchip Watchem in the Haeuslers reserves preliminary final.
The Bulls were up 28-27 at half-time and scored 2.2 to 2.0 in the third term.
Inspired by the play of Cooper Anderson, Tom Letts and Brannon Walker it was Donald which slammed on 5.2 to 2.0 in the last for a 17-point lead at the final siren.
Goalkickers for Donald were Noah Berry, four; Brenton Dixon, Michael Donnellon, two; Kalon Green, Brady Griffiths and Ryan Leeder.
Callum Goode booted four goals for the Bulls as Matthew Berry, Joe Boyle, Jak Goldsmith and Jacob Noonan added singles.
Donald’s best included Ryan Leeder, Logan Geddes and Noah Berry.
Best for Birchip Watchem were Cormacc Wilson, Jak Goldsmith, Callum Goode, Jacob Noonan, Matthew Berry and Sam O’Donnell.
It will be a Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Donald showdown in the reserves grand final.
Boort kicked away from Birchip Watchem to record a 51-point victory in the Charlton and District Community under-17s preliminary final.
The young Bulls from Birchip Watchem led 24-15 at quarter-time, but Boort scored 6.2 to 1.2 in the second to lead 53-32 at half-time.
A high-scoring contest kept rolling as the Magpies won the third term, 30-19, and then 31-12 in the last for a 114-63 result.
Frasier Holland was in hot form as he kicked eight goals for Boort.
Other goalkickers for the Magpies were Max Beattie, three; co-captain Tom Potter and Brodie Wagner, two; Brodie Arnold, Lachlan Hall and Zachary Mayberry.
Birchip Watchem’s attack was led by Ty Colbert, three; Charlie Frank, Connor Lee and William Marks, two; and Austin Dean.
Best for Boort were Tom Potter, Frasier Holland, Lachlan Hall, Alex Cockerell, Jacob Mulquiny and Riley Wagner.
Ty Colbert, Jeswin Daniel, William Marks, Charlie Frank, Austin Dean and Connor Lee played well for the Bulls.
Boort will tackle Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the grand final.
Preliminary final day kicked off with the Uniting Church under-14s match between Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and St Arnaud.
The Saints led 21-13 at half-time and then scored 2.0 to a goal in the third quarter.
Defences were on top in the last as St Arnaud added 1.2 and held the Tigers to a point.
Chase Zander, Frankie Donald and Aidan Wickman played key roles in a 41-20 victory for St Arnaud.
The Saints’ attack was led by Chad Hendy and Aidan Wickham, two; Frankie Donald and Chase Zander.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers’ captain Cruz O’Sullivan kicked two goals as Scott Barbary added another.
St Arnaud’s best included Jack Batters, Otis Patton and Sean Bridgeman.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were Brayden Allan, Jacob Cox, Cruz O’Sullivan, Scott Barbary, Charlie Goldman and Callum Mott.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Wycheproof:
Under-14s at 9.30am: Donald v St Arnaud.
Under-17s at 10.55am: Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Boort.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Donald.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Birchip Watchem v Donald.
Written by Nathan Dole.
