BY NATHAN DOLE
ROUND 5 of the NCFL was PINK ROUND, where the Leagues reflects on the wonderful work that the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) does. Coinciding with Mother’s Day, Pink Round is a great way for League raise awareness and funds for the BCNA.
DONALD made a brilliant final quarter fightback to beat Birchip Watchem in Saturday’s fifth round of the Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy action.
In the rematch of last year’s finalists it was Birchip Watchem which led 45-30 at half-time of the clash with the Royal Blues at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
The Royals cut the deficit to 10 points going into the last term and then unleashed a final term blitz of 4.1 to 1.4 to complete a dramatic 75-70 victory against the reigning premier.
Feeny medallist as league fairest and best in ’22, Donald on-baller Ross Young kicked three goals in best afield performance.
Sam Dunstan added three majors and Cooper Anderson chipped in with two.
The Bulls’ attack was led by Ben Edwards, three; Daniel Castellano, Nathan Gordon and Nicholas Rippon, two.
Best for the Rohan Brown-coached Donald included Josh Potter, Ryan Hards, Sam Dunstan, Jesse Wallin and Logan Geddes.
Lachlan Ryan, Dale Hinkley, Nicholas Rippon, Nathan Gordon, Josh Booth and Jonty Randall were best for the Trevor Ryan-coached Birchip Watchem.
Wedderburn turned a 15-point deficit at half-time at Boort Park into a thrilling two-point win against the Magpies.
The Sam Barnes-coached Redbacks were down 31-46 at the main break, but lifted to score 3.4 to 1.2 in the third.
Led by the play of Darcy Jackson, Jordan Rosengren and Louis Holt, Wedderburn’s tally of 2.4 to 2.1 in the last was enough to seal a 69-67 victory.
Sam Barnes and Tom Campbell kicked two goals apiece for the Redbacks.
Boort’s attack was led by Jarrod Fitzpatrick, three; Natnael McLaren and Jesse Muscatello, two.
Wedderburn’s best included Corey Lowry, Sam and Joe Lockhart.
Keiren Wilson, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Samuel Green, Natnael McLaren, Ryan McGhie and Nathan Twigg played well for the Dale Cameron-coached Boort.
A six-goal haul by Gedd Hommelhoff was a highlight of 47-point win by Wycheproof-Narraport at St Arnaud.
The Demons led 42-33 at half-time of the match on the Saints’ turf at Lord Nelson Park and then scored six goals to 2.1 in the vital third term.
The Hommelhoff brothers, Koby and Gedd were outstanding as they finished with four and six goals as the Demons kicked away for a 100-53 victory.
St Arnaud’s leading goalkicker was Jacob Tillig on three as Jake Hicks kicked two.
Best for the Demons included Adal Zuk, Joe Kenny, Josh Walsh and Heath Senior.
Jake Male, Brad Organ, Jacob Tillig, Mitch Birthisel, Mitch Egan and Nick Birthisel were best for the Anthony Bourke-coached Saints.
Nullawil scored a 15-goal win at home against Charlton.
An eight-goal return in the first term put the Maroons in control of their clash with the Navies.
The Brett Barker-coached Nullawil led 82-24 at half-time and then scored four goals apiece in the third and final terms for a 138-48 result.
Adam Thomson led the Maroons’ attack on six goals as Andrew Casey and Dean Smith added three, and Daniel Watts chipped in with two.
Multiple goalkickers for the Andy Nisbet-coached Charlton were Harrison Taylor and Nick Thompson with two.
Nullawil’s best were Patrick Kelly, Dean Smith, Dean Putt, Kyle Doran, Adam Thomson and Daniel Watts.
Cobi Fitzpatrick, Sam Woods, Rhyen Woods, Harrison Taylor, Anthony Judd and Jesse Taylor worked hard for the Navies.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 214 per cent, 16 points; Wycheproof-Narraport 96, 14; Nullawil 198, 12; Boort 121, 10; Birchip-Watchem 172, 8; Wedderburn 104, 8; Donald 101, 8; Charlton 43, 4; St Arnaud 32, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
27 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
16 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
16 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
15 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
15 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
13 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
12 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
11 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
11 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
11 Cody Green, Wycheproof-Narraport.
9 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
The NCFL has a general bye on May 20.
Round six will be played on May 27 in which Wedderburn is on home turf at Donaldson Park to take on Birchip-Watchem from 2.30pm.
Wycheproof-Narraport meets Nullawil at Wycheproof in the clash between second and third.
Charlton is back at Charlton Park to face Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Donald plays St Arnaud on the Royal Blues’ ground.
Boort has the bye.