BY NATHAN DOLE
LEAGUE newcomer Nullawil has put Donald out of the Goldacres North Central FNL senior footy premiership race.
The Maroons and Royal Blues clashed in Saturday’s first semi-final at Sea Lake Oval.
Last season’s runner-up, Donald made a great start to the semi-final to lead 32-27 at quarter-time.
Nullawil hit back to win the second term, 2-4 to 1.3.
A two-point buffer for the Maroons at the start of the second half grew to 18 as they scored 4.4 to 2.0 in the crucial third quarter.
Defensive play of the Brett Barker-coached Nullawil was a highlight in the final hour as the Maroons held Donald to a tally of 3.3.
At the final siren, Nullawil led 13.12 (90) to 9.8 (62).
Nullawil’s attack was led by Adam Thomson, three goals; Mitch Farmer, captain Jordan Humphreys, and Dean Putt on two.
Donald star Sam Dunstan kicked a match-high four goals as Blake Grant added two.
Best for Nullawil were Patrick Kelly, Dean Putt, Adam Thomson, Matt Quigley, David Isbister and Dean Smith.
Hayden Geddes, Ross Young, James Wall, Sam Dunstan, Ryley Barrack and Jesse Wallin played well for the Rohan Brown-coached Donald.
In the Haeuslers-backed reserves competition it was Birchip-Watchem Bulls which charged to a 35-point win against Boort.
After a scoreless first quarter by both teams the Bulls added 5.6 to 1.2 in the second.
The second half was evenly fought as Birchip-Watchem won both quarters, 8-7 and 20-14.
At the final siren the Bulls led 9.10 (64) to 4.5 (29).
Daniel Batarilo led Birchip-Watchem’s attack on three goals as Joe Boyle added two.
Other goalkickers were Bailey Baxter, Callum Goode, Jak Goldsmith and Tison Wiantara.
Boort’s attack was led by Matt Rice on three as Tim Rhook added the other.
Best for Birchip-Watchem were Tom Batarilo, Ty Colbert, Daniel Batarilo, Jacob Noonan, Alex Noonan and Matt Finster.
Mitch Buchanan, Jack Kerr, Jordan Sheahan, Jacob Coleman, Cameron Ross and Matt Rice were best for the Magpies.
Birchip-Watchem beat Sea Lake Nandaly by 59 points in the 17-and-under competition which is proudly sponsored by Charlton and District Community Bank.
The Bulls led 22-6 at quarter-time and 53-12 by half-time.
Sea Lake Nandaly fought back to win the third term, 20-9, but it was the Bulls who finished strongly to add 5.1 to just two points in the last.
Connor Boyle, Connor Lee and Charlie Frank kicked five, four and three goals in a 93-34 victory.
The Bulls also had Jeswin Daniel and Kobe Hamilton chip in with a goal each.
The Tigers’ leading goalkicker was Felix Warne on three as captain Jet Newick and Cruz O’Sullivan booted a goal.
Best for the Bulls were Charlie Frank, Riley Hogan, Austin Dean and Charles Barber.
Jack Stacey, Callum Mott, Billy McClelland, Felix Warne, Brayden Allan and Hugo Warne were the Tigers’ best.
Finals action kicked off with the Uniting Church-sponsored under-14s match between Boort and Charlton.
Boort’s rising stars led 8-1 at quarter-time but scores were 15-all by half-time.
In the third it was the Magpies who took control of play to add three goals as Charlton was scoreless.
Defences were on top in the last as Boort added three behinds.
At the final siren Boort led 5.6 (36) to 2.3 (15).
List of Boort’s goalkickers was not supplied.
Charlton’s goalkickers were Murphy Fitzpatrick and Jackson Nisbet.
Best for Boort were Brodie McPherson, Jake O’Flaherty, Cooper Gooding, Jacob Malone and Tristan Broad.
Sebastian Zagame, Ethan Soulsby, Samiel Olive, Murphy Fitzpatrick, Mitch Boyle and Charlie Zagame played well for the Navies.
Second semi-finals will be played next Saturday at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.
Footy action kicks off at 9.40am when Sea Lake Nandaly faces Donald in the Uniting Church-sponsored under-14s competition.
St Arnaud takes on Boort from 11.10am in the Charlton and District Community Bank-backed under-17s.
It’s a showdown between Sea Lake Nandaly and Nullawil from 12.45pm in the Haeuslers-backed reserves competition.
In the seniors the unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers take on reigning premier, Birchip-Watchem Bulls from 2.30pm.
Leaders in the senior goalkicking race:
89 Sam Dunstan, Donald.
84 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
57 Sam Barnes, Wedderburn.
46 Billy McInnes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
41 Nick Thompson, Charlton.
40 Adam Thomson, Nullawil.
39 Nathan Gordon, Birchip-Watchem.
36 Josh Jenkins, Sea Lake Nandaly.
36 John Summerhayes, Sea Lake Nandaly.
35 Tom Campbell, Wedderburn.
32 Daniel Castellano, Birchip-Watchem.
32 Jordan Humphreys, Nullawil.
30 Gedd Hommelhoff, Wycheproof-Narraport.
27 Will Simpson, Sea Lake Nandaly.
26 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
25 Chris Gavaghan, Charlton.
25 Dean Smith, Nullawil.
24 Danny Benaim, Wedderburn.
24 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Boort.
23 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly.
Photo – Blake Lee