BY NATHAN DOLE
BOORT will try to stop Wycheproof-Narraport’s hot streak in Saturday’s third round of senior footy in the Goldacres North Central FNL.
The Magpies and Demons will play at Boort Park from 2.30pm.
It’s fourth against second after both clubs marked big wins in round two.
The Dale Cameron-coach Boort dominated at Charlton Park to win by 83 points.
Recruited from Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, Natnael McLaren kicked four goals for the Magpies.
Talented on-baller/mid Jarrod Fitzpatrick who has made his way to Boort from Golden Square was best afield as James Wilson and Levi Moss played well.
A huge inclusion for Boort is Western Bulldogs premiership player Shane Biggs on a half-forward flank.
Biggs made his way to the big league via the Bendigo Diggers in the VFL.
He was selected by Sydney Swans at number 13 in the AFL’s 2012 rookie draft.
After six games in 2013 and ’14 for Sydney, Biggs made his way to the Bulldogs where he played 57 matches across 2015 to ’18.
The Magpies also have the skilful Matt Chisari as ruck-rover, Jesse Muscatello at centre half-forward, and co-captains Jack Smith and Keiren Wilson across half-back.
A big challenge for Boort will be in defence and trying to limit the impact the Hommelhoff brothers, Gedd and Koby have on the contest.
A nine-goal haul by Gedd Hommelhoff earned best afield honours as Wycheproof-Narraport won at home against Wedderburn by 39 points.
The attack for the Boe Bish-coached Demons includes Rick Allan, Aaron and Justin Bateson, and Cody Green.
Players to watch in the red and blue include Spencer Allan, Joe Kenny, ruckman Lachlan Van Schaik and Josh Walsh.
Another big match will be at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park where the Redbacks take on Donald.
The Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn will be determined to hit back from defeat.
It will not be an easy task against last season’s runner-up which was beaten, 36-49, in the opening round by Wycheproof-Narraport at Donald.
Key players for the Redbacks include Danny Benaim, Tom Campbell, Jaran McKay, Adam Postle and Jordan Rosengren.
Donald will look to Rian McGough, Ross Young, Ryley Barrack, captain Ryan Hards and Josh Potter to lead the way to victory.
St Arnaud takes on Sea Lake Nandaly at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
The A.J. Bourke-coached Saints kicked off their season at Nullawil where the league’s newest team won by 111 points.
It’s another daunting task for St Arnaud against the unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly which fought on for a one-goal win against Birchip-Watchem at home.
Key players for St Arnaud include William Bertalli, Bailey Durward, Mitch Egan, Daniel Gifford, Jake Hicks, Jacob Tillig and captain Kurtis Torney.
Pressure at centre ball-ups and stoppages will be crucial for St Arnaud all match.
A powerful Tigers’ line-up which is jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes has brought in former Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins.
From Swan Hill, Jenkins played for Tyntynder before he was taken at pick 12 in the AFL’s rookie draft of 2010.
He kicked 296 goals in 147 matches for the Crows from 2012 to ’19.
Injuries meant the 200cm ruckman/forward played just two games in a two-season stint with Geelong in 2020 and ’21.
He played in the 2017 grand final against Richmond.
Other players to watch in the yellow and black of Sea Lake Nandaly include Trent and Wade Donnan, captain and ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan, Luke Martin, Max Cahoon and Thomas Cox.
Birchip Watchem tackles Charlton on the Bulls’ ground at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
The reigning premier is seventh on the ladder after being beaten by Nullawil and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
The Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls should take the points in this clash.
Ben Edwards was in brilliant form as he kicked seven goals at Sea Lake.
In-form players for the Bulls include Jos Builder, captain Dale Hinkley, Marshall and Nicholas Rippon, and Lachlan Ryan.
In attack the Bulls will look to Nathan Gordon, Lachy Foott and Tom Batarilo.
Charlton was outplayed by Boort.
The Andy Nisbet-coached Navies have the experience of Travis Baird, Tim Hill and Anthony Judd.
There’s plenty to like about the spirit Charlton brings to each match, but it lacks the scoring power of most opponents.
Charlton will look to Mason Heenan, Ben Lanyon, Harrison Taylor and Rhyen Woods to build on last week’s form.
The Navies also have Jaydon Cowling, Daniel and Riely Thiesz, and Jackson Zagame capable of winning plenty of possessions.
The ladder-leading Nullawil has the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Nullawil 345 per cent, 8 points; Wycheproof-Narraport 151, 8; Sea Lake Nandaly 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.