BY NATHAN DOLE
SEA Lake Nandaly Tigers marked a one-goal win against Birchip-Watchem in Saturday’s second round of the Goldacres-backed senior football action in the North Central Football Netball League.
The Tigers and Bulls clashed at Sea Lake.
The SLN line-up led 15-2 at quarter-time before the Bulls charged to a 30-29 lead by the main break.
An evenly-contested third term ended with the Tigers up 59-52.
Led by the play of Luke Martin, Trent Donnan and Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly held on for an 80-74 victory.
Co-coach with Bryce Delmenico, Billy McInnes kicked a team-high four goals for the Tigers as Thomas Cox, Will Simpson and John Summerhayes added two each.
Birchip-Watchem’s attack was brilliantly led by Ben Edwards on seven goals.
Best for the Tigers included Wade Donnan, Max Cahoon and Billy McInnes.
Dale Hinkley, Nicholas and Marshall Rippon, Ben Edwards, Jos Builder and Lachlan Ryan were best for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls.
Wycheproof-Narraport marked a 39-point win against Wedderburn in the Demons’ den at Wycheproof.
The Boe Bish-coached Demons led 52-33 at half-time and did not let up as it won the third term, 38-8, to put the result beyond doubt.
It was day out in the forward 50m arc for Gedd Hommelhoff as he kicked nine goals.
Rick Allan kicked three and Cody Green chipped in with two majors.
Wedderburn’s attack was led by coach Sam Barnes on four goals, plus Tom Campbell and Jaran McKay on two each.
Best for the Demons were Gedd and Koby Hommelhoff, Lachlan Van Schaik, Joe Kenny, Spencer Allan and Jack McHutchison.
Tom Campbell, Darcy Jackson, Jaran McKay, Sam Barnes, Luke Brown and Jordan Rosengren were the Redbacks’ best.
Nullawil was too strong at home for St Arnaud.
The Maroons led 34-1 at quarter-time and then scored 4.1 to a point in the second to hold a 57-point buffer by the long break.
Mitch Farmer went on to kick goals and Adam Thomson added four as Nullawil won 131-20.
Best for the Brett Barker-coached Nullawil were David Isbister, Jordan Humphreys, Dean Putt, Dean Smith, Adam Thomson and Zac Caccaviello.
William Bertalli, Bailey Durward, Jacob Tillig, Jake Hicks, Daniel Gifford and Mitch Egan worked hard in what was A.J. Bourke’s first match as the Saints’ coach.
A brilliant first term set up Boort’s win on Charlton’s turf.
The Dale Cameron-coached Magpies led 41-2 at quarter-time and then scored 5.3 to 3.2 in the second term.
The classy Natnael McLaren who was recruited from Maiden Gully YCW went on to kick four goals as Frasier Holland and Levi Moss added three each in the 130-47 victory.
Charlton’s only multiple goalkicker was Harrison Taylor on two.
Best for Boort were former Golden Square midfielder Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Ryan McGhie, Tom Potter, James Wilson, Levi Moss and Jack Smith.
Anthony Judd, Harrison Taylor, Rhyen Woods, Tim Hill, Ben Lanyon and Mason Heenan worked hard for the Andy Nisbet-coached Navies.
Donald had the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Nullawil 345 per cent, 8 points; Wycheproof-Narraport 151, 8; Sea Lake 8, 130; Boort 158, 4; Wedderburn 122, 4; Donald 73, 0; Birchip-Watchem 71, 0; Charlton 35, 0; St Arnaud 15, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
10 Ben Edwards, BW; Gedd Hommelhoff, WN.
9 Mitch Farmer, N.
7 Sam Barnes, W’burn; Tom Campbell, W’burn; Adam Thomson, N.
5 Cody Green, WN; Billy McInnes, SLN.
4 Rick Allan, WN; Frasier Holland, B; Natnael McLaren, B; Will Simpson, SLN.
In next Saturday’s third round, St Arnaud takes on Sea Lake Nandaly at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
Birchip Watchem tackles Charlton on the Bulls’ ground at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval
Wedderburn is at home at Donaldson Park to face Donald.
Boort and Wycheproof-Narraport will play under the lights at Boort Park from 6pm.
Nullawil has the bye.