BY NATHAN DOLE
TOP four hopes for Wedderburn will still burn should it win at Donald in Saturday’s 12th round of the Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy action.
Wedderburn goes into this match on a 4-6 record and eight points behind the fourth-placed Donald.
There’s plenty at stake for both clubs in a match which starts at 2.30pm at Donald Recreation Reserve.
Donald won the round three match at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park by 21 points.
Last season’s runner-up, Donald is 6-3 and had an extended break as its bye in the 11th round was followed by last Saturday’s general bye.
Most recent hit-out for the Rohan Brown-coached Donald was at Wycheproof where it beat the Demons by 32 points as Ryley Barrack, Ross Young, Will Burke and Dyson Bell-Warren were best.
The Sam Barnes-coached Redbacks fought back from a 21-point deficit at half-time of their home game against Wycheproof-Narraport to fall seven points short.
Best for Wedderburn in that contest were Jackson McEwen, Isaac Holt, Tom Campbell and Darcy Jackson.
Key players for Donald include Sam Dunstan, captain Josh Potter, and Ryan Bath.
The Redbacks’ squad bound for Donald includes Danny Benaim, Jacob DeAraugo, Mitch McEwen and Jordan Rosengren.
Wycheproof-Narraport faces a danger game against Boort.
The Demons are back on home turf to take on a club which it drew 82-all at Boort Park in round three.
The Boe Bish-coached Demons kept the heat on Donald by winning the round 11 match at Wedderburn.
In-form players for Wycheproof-Narraport include Spencer Allan, Gedd Hommelhoff, Thomas Trewin and Josh Walsh.
The Demons’ line-up includes Rick Allan, Justin Bateson, Jed Bish, Corey Jones and captain Joel Turner.
A sixth victory is crucial for the Demons who face Birchip-Watchem, away; St Arnaud, home; and Nullawil, away, to complete the run in July.
Boort will be determined to hit back from a 15-point loss to Charlton.
Although finals hopes look gone, there is still plenty of incentive for the Dale Cameron-coached Magpies.
Key players for Boort include Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Lanyon, Ryan McGhie, Nathan Twigg, and Keiren Wilson.
After a great win at Boort Park, Charlton is back on home turf to take on Birchip-Watchem.
The Andy Nisbet-coached Navies will have gained plenty of confidence from a win against the Magpies.
Massive challenge against a Birchip-Watchem team on the rebound from a nine-point loss to Sea Lake Nandaly in Tigers’ territory at Sea Lake.
In round three the Bulls beat Charlton by 148 points at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Charlton will be determined to be a lot more competitive this time around.
Players to watch for the Navies include Nick Thompson and Chris Gavaghan in attack, Jesse and Harry Taylor in midfield, Jed Thompson at full-back, and on-ballers Rhyen and Sam Woods.
A powerful attack for Birchip-Watchem includes Ben Edwards, Daniel Castellano, Sam Simmons and Nathan Gordon.
The Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls also have captain Dale Hinkley at centre half-back, Nicholas Rippon roving the contests, Lachlan Ryan, Jos Builder and Ben Christodoulou.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Sea Lake Nandaly is at home to play St Arnaud.
Jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly withstood a spirited challenge from Birchip-Watchem to mark a 77-68 win at Birchip last round.
Former Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins kicked seven goals for the Tigers, but was not named for this match.
A powerful SLN line-up includes Trent and Wade Donnan, Austin Mertz, Ryan O’Sullivan, Jack Poulton and Brody Weir.
Another big challenge for the Anthony Bourke-coached St Arnaud.
Goalkicking accuracy was a highlight for the Saints as they scored 7.1 in their loss to Nullawil at Lord Nelson Park.
It’s been a tough run for St Arnaud which played Birchip-Watchem, had a bye, then faced Nullawil, and now heads to Sea Lake.
Key players for the Saints include William Bertalli, Nick Birthisel, Harley Durward, Jake Hicks, Bradley Organ, and Kurtis Torney.
Nullawil has the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 245 per cent, 40 points; Nullawil 170, 28; Birchip-Watchem 171, 24; Donald 111, 24; Wycheproof-Narraport 91, 22; Wedderburn 95, 16; Boort 94, 14; Charlton 45, 8; St Arnaud 30, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
43 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
39 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
31 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
29 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
25 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
25 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
24 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
24 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
22 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
20 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
20 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
20 Nick Thompson, Charlton.
19 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
17 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
17 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
15 Danny Benaim, Wedderburn.
14 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.
14 Cody Green, Wycheproof-Narraport.
14 Jordan Humphreys, Nullawil.
14 John Summerhayes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
12 Andrew Casey, Nullawil.
12 Ben Fraser, Wycheproof-Narraport.
11 Jake Hicks, St Arnaud.
11 Natnael McLaren, Boort.
11 Dean Smith, Nullawil.
10 Andrew Oberdorfer, Nullawil.