NCFL | Round 15 PREVIEW

Bulls tackle Tigers at Birchip

THE ladder-leading Birchip Watchem Bulls will be hunted by the Tigers from Sea Lake Nandaly in this Saturday’s 15th round of senior footy in the Goldacres North Central Football League.

It’s Bendigo Bank round in footy/netball leagues under the AFL Central Victoria banner.

Birchip Watchem has home-ground advantage at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip for the big clash.

When these clubs clashed in round eight it was the Bulls who charged to a 65-point victory in Tigers’ territory at Sea Lake.

The Bulls led 45-26 at half-time and then scored 7.5 to 1.2 in the third to put the result beyond doubt.

Daniel Castellano and best afield player Lochlan Sirett kicked three goals apiece.

Birchip Watchem’s best included Lachlan Ryan, Stefan Pye and James Lindeback.

The Tigers’ attack was kept in check as Trent Donnan was the only multiple goalkicker on two.

Best for Sea Lake Nandaly were Luke Martin, Will Simpson, Trent Donnan and  Austin Mertz.

After a 10-goal victory against Wedderburn last round, Birchip Watchem will be aiming to make it two defeats in a row for the Tigers.

In-form players for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls include Nathan Gordon, Dylan Adkins and Will Sheahan in attack, centreman Jacob Christie, ruck-rover Elliot Jaeschke, Lachlan Ryan and Stefan Pye.

The confidence of the Joel Donnan-coached Tigers took a hit in a 21-point loss at Donald.

Sea Lake Nandaly will be desperate to start well on the Bulls’ ground after being down by 26 points at quarter-time last Saturday.

Key players for the SLN line-up include Ben Daniels on a wing, ruck-rover Trent Donnan, captain Matt Elliott, Justin Ellis, Luke Martin, full-forward Billy McInnes, and ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan.

 

The ladder-leading Donald is on home turf again to take on Boort.

Major challenge for the Andy Hawker-coached Boort will be to limit the impact Donald forwards such as Leigh Burke, James Wall and Josh Potter have on the contest.

The Royals also have the class and running power of Brody Haddow, Ross Young, Ryley Barrack and Ryan Hards.

Boort’s best when it played Donald in round eight were Nathan Twigg, Matt Chisari, Levi Moss and Tom Potter.

In last week’s one-point win against St Arnaud it was Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Cody Gunn who led Boort’s attack on three and two goals.

The Magpies will look to Sam Green, Jesse Muscatello and James Wilson to continue their fine form.

 

It’s the Demons against the Saints as Wycheproof Narraport takes on St Arnaud at Wycheproof.

Saints’ coach Torin Petrie kicked three goals in a 57-54 win against the Demons at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park in round eight.

St Arnaud’s best in last week’s thriller at Boort were Kurtis Torney, Daniel Gifford, Jack Tillig, Matthew Goode, Thomas Bertalli and Will Jackson.

The play of Mitch Egan will also be vital to the Saints’ chances.

The Saints’ defence will need to work hard to stop Demons’ stars Cody Green, Matthew Beckmans and Gedd Hommelhoff in the attacking 50m arc.

Other key players for the Boe Bish-coached Wycheproof Narraport include Rick and Spencer Allan, Justin Bateson, Jack McHutchison and Trevor Rumbold.

 

Charlton and Wedderburn clash at Charlton Park.

The Navies will be determined to keep the heat on the Redbacks all match.

Key players for the Andy Nisebet-coached Charlton include ruck-rover Kade Blow, Mason Heenan  and Tim Hill in defence, Bailey Kemp and Jackson Zagame in attack, Jed and Rhys Thompson and Aaron Walklate.

It’s been a tough run for the Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn which is fourth and will play finals.

The Redbacks’ best in last week’s loss at Birchip were Hamish Winter-Irving, Tim Leahy, Joe and Sam Lockhart, Isaac Holt, and Jayden Jones.

Jaran McKay kicked three goals when Wedderburn beat Charlton in round eight to be among the best with Tyson Webster.

The Redbacks will also look to ruckman Jordan Hargreaves, rover Corey Lowry, Jordan Rosengren, Jackson Guan and Tom Campbell to lead the way.

 

North Central FL senior footy ladder:

Birchip Watchem 258 per cent, 52 points; Donald 241, 48; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 286, 44; Wedderburn 103, 32; Boort 49, 20; Wycheproof-Narraport 71, 16; St Arnaud 44, 12; Charlton 29, 0.

 

Leaders in the goalkicking race:

53 Billy McInnes, SLN.

39 Daniel Castellano, BW; Will Sheahan, BW.

34 Will Simpson, SLN.

33 Tom Campbell, W’burn; Blake Grant, D.

29 Justin Ellis, SLN.

27 Cody Green, WN; Jordan Rosengren, W’burn.

25 Leigh Burke, D.

24 Josh Potter, D.

23 Nathan Gordon, BW; Brody Haddow, D; Brodie Leonard-Shannon, B.

21 Danny Benaim, W’burn.

20 Matt Elliott, SLN.

 

Written by Nathan Dole.