NY NATHAN DOLE
SEA Lake Nandaly will be aiming to complete an unbeaten run to the Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy finals this Saturday.
The Tigers make their way to Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park for a round 18 showdown which starts at 2.30pm.
Although it has won 15 consecutive matches, Sea Lake Nandaly will be wary of a Wedderburn line-up which won at Nullawil by five points last Saturday.
Although the Redbacks cannot make the finals they will be determined to finish the season on a high.
The Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn put in a great effort to turn a 25-point deficit at the start of the final term into an 80-75 win on Nullawil’s turf.
Barnes kicked six goals in that match and looms as a big threat to SLN’s back six.
The Wedderburn attack also includes the marking power of Tom Campbell and skilful Danny Benaim at ground level.
Players to watch for the red and black include Louis and Luke Holt, Sam Lockhart and Robert Whyman.
Wedderburn also has Jordan Hargreaves, Jacob DeAraugo and Adam Postle in action.
It will be a massive test for Wedderburn’s defence.
Former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins kicked five goals in Sea Lake Nandaly’s latest win against Donald, but was not named for this match.
A ruthless SLN won the clash between first and third by 88 points.
Key targets in the Tigers’ forward line include co-coach Billy McInnes and John Summerhayes.
A formidable team in yellow and black includes co-coach Bryce Delmenico, captain Ryan O’Sullivan, Tyson McKenzie, Austin Mertz and Brody Weir.
The Tigers also have the Donnan trio of Kane, Trent and Wade.
Donald and Charlton clash on the Royal Blues’ turf at Donald Recreation Reserve.
The Royal Blues will be determined to regain confidence after last week’s drubbing at Sea Lake.
Sam Dunstan leads the league’s goalkicking race on 79 and is a strong target for Donald.
Last season’s runner-up, the Rohan Brown-coached Donald has the likes of Ryan Bath, Noah Berry, captain Josh Potter and Ross Young capable of winning plenty of the footy.
Ryley Barrack is another key cog in the Royals’ line-up.
Charlton played inspired football to beat Wycheproof-Narraport by 16 points last Saturday.
Nick Thompson and Chris Gavaghan led the Navies attack on five and four goals.
A big challenge for Charlton will be providing enough supply for its in-form forwards.
Jaydon Cowling, Ben Lanyon, Riely Thiesz and Sam Woods were among the best in the fourth win of the season for the Andy Nisbet-coached Charlton.
The Navies also have the experience of Tim Hill, Anthony Judd, Travis Baird and Aaron Walklate.
Boort faces Nullawil at Boort Park.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort can expect a fierce response from Nullawil.
Last round Boort marked a 44-point win on St Arnaud’s turf at Lord Nelson Park.
The classy Natnael McLaren kicked a match-high five goals for the Magpies.
Boort will look to Matt Chisari, Alex Davis, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Ryan McGhie to continue their great form and lead the way to victory.
A 9-6 record has Nullawil in fourth place and rolling into finals in its first NCFNL season.
Maroons’ captain Jordan Humphreys is in top form and leads an attack that includes Andrew Casey and Andrew Thompson.
Players to watch for the Brett Barker-coached Nullawil include Josh Bamford, Lucas Caccaviello, Patrick Kelly and Dean Smith.
Birchip-Watchem tackles St Arnaud at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
The Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls had the bye after a 95-point victory at Boort Park.
The reigning premier has an 11-4 record.
Ben Edwards has kicked 69 goals in 12 matches for the Bulls.
Birchip-Watchem’s attack includes Daniel Castellano and Nathan Gordon.
The Bulls also have Marshall and Nicholas Rippon, Patrick Sheahan and Sam Simmons in great form.
Experienced ruckman/forward Lochlan Sirett is also in the Bulls’ line-up.
Been a difficult season for the Anthony Bourke-coached St Arnaud.
Played well to be within 21 points of Boort at the start of the final term last round.
Torin Petrie marked his return to St Arnaud by kicking four goals as Jake Hicks and Jacob Tillig added two each.
Players to watch for the Saints are Will Jackson, Zac Notting, Brad Organ and Kurtis Torney.
It’s season over for Wycheproof-Narraport which has the bye.
Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 274 per cent, 60 points; Birchip-Watchem 164, 44; Donald 114, 40; Nullawil 146, 36; Wycheproof-Narraport 83, 30; Wedderburn 113, 28; Boort 79, 18; Charlton 56, 16; St Arnaud 29, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
79 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
69 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
56 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
43 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
41 Nick Thompson, Charlton.
38 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
38 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
36 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
33 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
32 John Summerhayes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
30 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
29 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
27 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
26 Jordan Humphreys, Nullawil.
24 Danny Benaim, Wedderburn.
24 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
24 Chris Gavaghan, Charlton.
24 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
23 Dean Smith, Nullawil.
20 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.
20 Tyson McKenzie, Sea Lake Nandaly.
19 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
19 Cody Green, Wycheproof-Narraport.
18 Ben Fraser, Wycheproof-Narraport.
17 Natnael McLaren, Boort.
16 Andrew Casey, Nullawil.
16 Jake Hicks, St Arnaud.
16 Jordan Rosengren, Wedderburn.
15 Rick Allan, Wycheproof-Narraport.
15 Corey Jones, Wycheproof-Narraport.