BY NATHAN DOLE
THE unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are first to qualify for the senior footy grand final in the Goldacres North Central FNL.
It was a high-scoring second semi-final played between the Tigers and Birchip-Watchem Bulls on Saturday at Wycheproof.
Goalkicking accuracy by the Tigers played a key factor in their victory.
Sea Lake Nandaly scored 7.1 to 4.2 in a brilliant start to the contest.
The Bulls fought back to win the second term, 3.5 to 3.0.
A two-goal buffer for an SLN team jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes was at three at a quarter to play after both teams scored 3.3 in the third.
Former Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins was in superb touch as he went on to kick nine goals for the Tigers.
Sea Lake Nandaly added 4.5 to 1.2 in the last to complete a 111-72 victory.
Jenkins was the dominant player in the forward 50m arc, but the yellow and black also had Charlie Cox and Billy McInnes chip in with two goals.
Other goalkickers for the Tigers were Thomas Cox, Bryce Delmenico, Matt Elliott and John Summerhayes.
The Bulls’ attack was led by Nathan Gordon and Nicholas Rippon with three and two goals.
Daniel Castellano, Marshall Rippon, Lachlan Ryan, Patrick Sheahan and Cormacc Wilson also goaled for Birchip-Watchem.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly were Josh Jenkins, Luke Martin, Kane Donnan, Austin Mertz, Bryce Delmenico and Wade Donnan.
Lochlan Sirett, Nicholas Rippon, Joseph Reid, Nathan Gordon, Darcy Reid and Sam Simmons were best for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls.
Birchip-Watchem will now meet Nullawil in next Saturday’s preliminary final at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
The showdown between the Bulls and Maroons, who were premiers in the North Central and Golden Rivers respectively last season, will start at 2.30pm.
Sea Lake Nandaly awaits the winner of that match in the September 16 grand final at Boort Park.
In the Haeuslers reserves competition, Sea Lake Nandaly scored a 55-point victory against Nullawil in Saturday’s second semi-final.
The Tigers led 28-12 at quarter-time and then scored 4.2 as it held the Maroons to a tally of two goals in the second.
The yellow and black won the third term, 14-3, and then added 3.3 to 1.1 in the last for an 89-34 result.
Dylan Hickey and Will Simpson kicked three goals for the Tigers and Joel Clohesy added two.
Other goalkickers for SLN included Cooper Allan, Max Cahoon and Rylee McGarry.
Sol Kelly kicked three goals for Nullawil as Josh Bowyer and George Forrester added one.
The Tigers’ best were Connor Michael, Chase Tait, Joel Clohesy, Angus Collins, Callan Noonan and Joel Donnan.
Sol Kelly, Angus Forrester, Blair Hogan, Mitchel Barry, Shane Barker and Matt Poyner played well for Nullawil.
Next Saturday’s preliminary final at St Arnaud features Nullawil against Birchip-Watchem from 12.25pm.
Boort dominated the second semi-final against St Arnaud in the Charlton and District Community Bank-sponsored under-17s.
The Magpies led 14-6 at quarter-time and then slammed on 5.4 to nil in the second.
Not only was Boort’s attacking play impressive, but also it’s defence as it held the Saints to a tally of two goals up to three quarter-time.
The Magpies won the second half, 47-14, to complete a 95-20 victory.
Brodie Wagner was in superb touch as he kicked five goals and Nicholas Scott added three.
Other goalkickers for the black and white were Liam Baker and Max Beattie, two; Alex Cockerell and Samual Toose.
The Saints’ goalkickers were Tyson Funston, Ben Greenaway and Jackson Needs.
Boort’s best were Brodie Arnold, Alex Chamberlain, Brodie Wagner, Lachlan Hall, Alex Cockerell and Jett Hird.
Ben Greenaway, Tyson Funston, Mason Thomas, Ryan Bigmore, Hamish Darby and Chase Zander played well for the Saints.
St Arnaud takes on Birchip-Watchem in next Saturday’s preliminary final from 10.45am in the Saints’ home at Lord Nelson Park.
Donald won through to the grand final of the Uniting Church-sponsored under-14s competition.
The Royal Blues kicked clear in the second half of the second semi-final clash with Sea Lake Nandaly.
At the main break it was Donald in front, 15-8.
The Royals scored 2.1 to a goal in the third and then unleashed a final quarter blitz of 4.1 to a point.
At the final siren Donald led 53-15.
Charlie Burke and captain Baxter Donnellon kicked two goals for Donald as Oakley Brennan, Marty Burke, Lyric Davis and Jesse Lydom added one.
Goalkickers for the Tigers were Henry Cox and Chad O’Sullivan.
Best for Donald were Luca Rice, Baxter Donnellon, Charlie Burke, Jesse Lydom, Lyric Davis and Myles Hollis.
Nate McClelland, Angus Renney, Henry Cox, Riley Allan, Harry Wight and Archie Alday worked hard for Sea Lake Nandaly.
Next Saturday’s preliminary final day at St Arnaud kicks off at 9.20am with the under-14s match between Sea Lake Nandaly and the Boort Magpies.