BY NATHAN DOLE
Big games at Sea Lake, Donald
CRUCIAL matches will be played at Sea Lake and Donald in Saturday’s third round of the Goldacres senior footy across the North Central competition.
Reigning premier Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are on home turf to tackle Wycheproof-Narraport.
It’s second against fourth when the clash at Sea Lake starts at 2.30pm.
A talented Tigers’ line-up jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes includes Charlie Cox, Kane and Wade, Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan and Brody Weir.
The Demons go into this match without Corey Jones who has led the attack on six goals.
Coach Wayne Mitrovic is in the Wycheproof-Narraport team along with Spencer Allan, Boe and Jed Bish, Maysen Murgov, Lachan Van Schaik and Josh Walsh.
It’s a big match for Donald and Nullawil as they strive to climb into the top four.
A one-one record has Donald in fifth place.
Beaten by Birchip-Watchem in round one, Nullawil is back in action after the bye.
The Royals were held to just four goals in last Saturday’s clash on Birchip-Watchem’s turf at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Key players for Donald include captain Ryley Barrack, Hayden Geddes, Josh Potter, Jesse Wallin and Feeny medallist Ross Young.
The Darryl Wilson-coached Nullawil has an attack led by Mitch Farmer and Nick Keogh.
A triple winner of Central Murray’s league fairest and best award in his time at Swan Hill, Matthew Wade is a huge inclusion for Nullawil’s on-ball division.
Other key players for the Maroons are Huntre Lawrence, captain Jordan Humphreys and Dean Putt.
Charlton is at Charlton Park to take on Wedderburn.
The Mitch Collins-coached Navies will be keen to bounce back after a 45-point loss at Boort Park.
Charlton’s team includes Chris Gavaghan, captain Jed Thompson, Thomas Finlay, Kade Blow, Sean O’Connor and Nick Thompson.
The Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn played well to finish within 16 points of Sea Lake on the Tigers’ turf last round.
Tom Campbell is a key target in Wedderburn’s attack and well supported by Anthony Zelenich and Oscar Holt.
Other players to watch for the Redbacks are Jordan Hargreaves, Jacob De Araugo, Adam Postle, Danny Benaim and captain Joe Lockhart.
St Arnaud faces a huge task against the ladder-leading Birchip-Watchem at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
Among the many challenges for the Saints will be stopping Ben Edwards who has kicked 15 goals for the Bulls.
The Scott Driscoll-coached St Arnaud will have a cameo appearances from Richmond Premiership player, Josh Caddy and former Melbourne Strom player, Will Chambers. Caddy and Chambers will be the main attraction on field and will take part in a sports-mans night after the big game!
Along with Caddy and Chambers, the Saints will be looking for big games from the likes of Harley Durward, Mitch Egan, Sam Male, Torin Petrie, Jacob Tillig and Kurtis Torney.
Best in the latest victory for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls were ruckman Hamish Hosking, Stefan Pye, Dale Hinkley, Joseph Reid and Meyrick Buchanan.
Birchip-Watchem also has Ty Colbert, Marshall Rippon and Sam Simmons capable of winning many contests.
Boort has the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Birchip-Watchem 187 per cent, 8 points; Sea Lake Nandaly 139, 8; Wedderburn 161, 4; Wycheproof-Narraport 116, 4; Boort 102, 4; Donald 70, 4; Nullawil 77, 0; Charlton 44, 0; St Arnaud 40, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
8 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
8 Corey Jones, Wycheproof-Narraport.
6 Ethan Coleman, Boort.
6 Trent Grant, Donald.
6 Anthony Zelencich, Wedderburn.
5 Tom Campbell Wedderburn.
5 Ty Colbert, Birchip-Watchem.
5 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
5 Oscar Holt, Wedderburn.
5 Will Perryman, Boort.
5 Torin Petrie, St Arnaud.
4 Josh Grabowski, Wycheproof-Narraport.
4 Nick Grabowski, Wycheproof-Narraport.
4 James Keeble, Boort.
4 Nick Keogh, Nullawil.
4 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
4 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.