Tigers dominate semi-final clash with Wedderburn
SEA Lake Nandaly Tigers put Wedderburn out of the Goldacres North Central Football League’s senior footy premiership race on Saturday.
The Tigers roared to a 67-point victory in the first semi-final at Donald.
At the end of an evenly-fought first quarter it was SLN which led 15-8.
The Tigers scored 4.1 to 1.3 in the second term.
Sea Lake Nandaly then took charge of centre clearances and stoppages to slam on 6.2 to 1.2 in the crucial third term to lead 78-25 at a quarter to go.
Led by the play of Will Simpson, ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan and Brodie Adcock it was the Tigers who marked a 101-34 victory.
The Tigers moved into a preliminary final showdown against either Birchip Watchem or Donald on September 3 at Charlton Park.
A five-goal haul earned Will Simpson best afield honours as captain Matt Elliott also kicked five majors and John Summerhayes added two.
Goalkickers for the Redbacks were Danny Benaim, Tom Campbell, Luke Holt and Jaran McKay.
Best for the Joel Donnan-coached Tigers included Austin Mertz, Brody Weir and Trent Donnan.
Captain Corey Lowry, Jordan Rosengren, Hamish Winter-Irving, Joe Lockhart, Jayden Jones and Jaran McKay were best for the Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn.
In the Haeuslers-backed reserves, Birchip Watchem fought from 11-points down at three quarter-time to beat Wedderburn by nine.
The Bulls scored 3.2 to nil in the last to complete a 67-58 victory.
It had been a great effort by Wedderburn which was down by 20 points at half-time and then scored 6.1 to a goal in the third quarter.
Birchip Watchem’s leading goalkickers were Joe Boyle, three, and Callum Goode, two.
The Redbacks’ attack was led by Gerald Riley, five, and Jayden Leach, two.
Best for the Bulls were Cormacc Wilson, Jak Goldsmith, Jacob Gleeson, Matt Rickard, Jacob Noonan and Callum Goode.
Wedderburn’s best were Andrew Brett, Robert Tonkin, Jacob Hernan, Robert Whyman, Gerald Riley and Jayden Leach.
An exciting contest in the Charlton and District Community Bank-backed under-17s was fought out between Birchip Watchem and Charlton.
The Navies led 30-21 at half-time and 49-40 going into the final term.
The young Bulls from Birchip Watchem then charged clear in the last quarter as they scored 3.2 to 1.1 to win 60-56.
Charlie Frank and Connor Lee kicked three goals apiece for the Bulls.
Charlton’s Nick Thompson kicked a match-high four goals and Oscar Bourke added three.
Best for the Bulls were Riley Hogan, Connor Lee, Austin Dean and Charlie Frank.
Bailey Dixon, Nick Thompson, Ned Zagame, Cooper Boyle and Oscar Bourke played well for the Navies.
First semi-final day began with the Uniting Church-sponsored under-14s match between St Arnaud and Boort.
The Saints led 29-7 at half-time and kicked way for a 50-15 victory.
Frankie Donald and Chad Hendy kicked two goals apiece for St Arnaud as Charlie Baldwin, William Eden and Otis Patton added one each.
Boort’s goalkickers were Cooper Gooding and Deklan King.
Best for the Saints were Chad Hendy, Frankie Donald, Chase Zander, Abby Weir, Otis Patton and Sean Bridgman.
The Magpies’ best were Cooper Gooding, Tristen Zanker, Jake O’Flaherty, Riley Wagner, Deklan King and Brodie McPherson.
Second semi-finals will be played next Saturday at Sea Lake.
In the seniors, Birchip Watchem takes on Donald from 2.30pm.
In the Haeuslers-backed reserves competition, Donald tackles Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at 12.35pm.
Boort tackles Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the Charlton and District Community Bank-sponsored under-17s competition from 10.55am.
First match of the day will be at 9.30am when Donald plays Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the Uniting Church-sponsored under-14s competition.
Preliminary final day is on September 3 at Charlton Park.
This season’s grand finals will be on September 10 at Wycheproof.
Written by Nathan Dole.
