BY NATHAN DOLE
DONALD ended Nullawil’s run of home victories in Saturday’s seventh round of the Goldacres North Central FNL’s senior footy action.
In what was Headspace round it was the Rohan Brown-coached Donald which showed it’s a team still to be reckoned with.
Runner-up in ’22, Donald headed to Nullawil determined to improve on a 3-2 record.
The Royals led 14-10 at quarter-time and 37-29 by the main break.
In a match high on defensive pressure, Donald scored 2.2 to 2.1 in the third term.
Ryley Barrack, Jesse Wallin and Josh Potter played crucial roles as Donald fought on for a 68-56 victory.
Donald’s attack was led by Sam Dunstan on four goals.
Mitch Farmer booted four goals for Nullawil.
Best for Donald included James Wall, Rory O’Shannessy and Ryan Bath.
The Maroons’ best were Patrick Kelly, Lucas Caccaviello, Billy Forrester, Dean Putt, Jordan Humphreys and Andrew Casey.
Sea Lake Nandaly was too strong on home turf for Wycheproof-Narraport.
It was a closely fought contest across the opening three quarters as the Tigers led 38-22 at a quarter to go.
The SLN line-up slammed on a match-high tally of 4.5 to 2.0 in the last to complete a 67-34 victory.
Tigers’ co-coach Billy McInnes and Tyson McKenzie kicked two goals each.
Best for SLN which is jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico were Jack Poulton, Trent Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Luke Martin, Kane Donnan and Jai Wright.
Gedd Hommelhoff, Damien Horbury, Justin and Aaron Bateson, Jed Bish and Hunter Connolly played well for the Boe Bish-coached Demons.
Wedderburn marked a 101-39 win on St Arnaud’s turf at Lord Nelson Park.
The Redbacks led 38-5 at quarter-time and 61-18 by the long break.
Quarter three was to be St Arnaud’s best as it scored 3.2 and held Wedderburn to a behind.
In the final term the Sam Barnes-coached Redbacks lifted their play to score 6.3 to a behind.
Wedderburn’s attack was led by Barnes and Tom Campbell on four each as Robert Whyman added three.
Jake Hicks kicked two goals for the Saints.
Best for Wedderburn were Luke Holt, Hamish and Sam Lockhart, Darcy Jackson, Adam Postle and Sam Barnes.
Harley Durward, William Bertalli, Matt Goode, Sam Male, Brad Organ and Mitch Birthisel played well for the Anthony Bourke-coached Saints.
Dominance in the first and fourth quarters played a big part in Birchip-Watchem’s win against Boort at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
The Bulls charged to a 31-7 lead by quarter-time before Boort hit back to win the second term, 3.1 to 1.2.
A 13-point lead for the Bulls was at 20 at a quarter to go.
In the last Birchip-Watchem slammed on 5.2 to a point to record an 86-35 victory.
Nathan Gordon capped a best afield performance with four goals as Daniel Castellano and Nicholas Rippon booted three and Lachy Foott booted two.
Multiple goalkickers for Boort were Brayden Aitken and Ethan Coleman on two.
Best for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls were Nathan Gordon, Jos Builder, Patrick Sheahan, Lachlan Ryan, Daniel Castellano and Sam Simmons.
Nathan Twigg, Keiren Wilson, Ryan McGhie, Jarrod Starr, Keanu Padula and Ethan Coleman played well for the Dale Cameron-coached Boort.
Charlton had the bye.
North Central FNL senior footy ladder:
Sea Lake Nandaly 242 per cent, 24 points; Nullawil 177, 16; Birchip-Watchem 176, 16; Donald 127, 16; Wycheproof-Narraport 81, 14; Wedderburn 107, 12; Boort 103, 10; Charlton 39, 4; St Arnaud 31, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
29 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
27 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
22 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
19 Mitch Farmer, Nullawil.
19 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
19 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
18 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
17 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
17 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
16 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
14 Cody Green, Wycheproof-Narraport.
12 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip Watchem.
12 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
Round eight will be played this Saturday on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Match of the day will be Donald against Sea Lake Nandaly at Donald’s Recreation Reserve.
Wedderburn tackles Nullawil at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
Boort takes on St Arnaud at Boort Park.
Wycheproof-Narraport is back at Wycheproof to play Charlton.
Birchip-Watchem has the bye.