-By Nathan Dole
North Central Leagues remember Maddi in the second year of “Maddi’s Round” which will also be known as “All Cancers Round”
The North Central FL, North Central NA and North Central HA will band together this weekend to show their support to all families in local communities impacted by cancer, currently or in the past, be it themselves or loved ones.
This round is dedicated to the memory of Maddi Fitzpatrick who lost her gallant battle against cancer last year year.
Maddi was an integral member of the Charlton Netball Club and our North Central Netball Community, and this day has been developed to honour her memory.
Maddi’s legacy has left an indelible mark on our netball community through her unwavering commitment and dedication to the sport, her team, and the broader community.
WEDDERBURN Redbacks will try to trap Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the Donaldson Park web in Saturday’s round eight senior footy clash in the Goldacres North Central competition.
It’s a crucial test for Wedderburn which starts the round in fifth place and eight points behind the fourth-placed Boort.
The Tom Metherell-coached Redbacks are against an opponent which has a five-two record and is second on the ladder.
The Tigers run includes an eight-goal victory against Wedderburn in round one.
A key match-up for Wedderburn will be at full-back where Adam Postle takes on former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins.
It will be Jenkins’ first match for the Tigers since the fourth round against Boort.
A Wedderburn defence that includes Ben Bacon, Isaac Holt, Joe and Sam Lockhart takes on Jarvis Keogh, Jai Wright, Max Cahoon and Adam Pattison.
Another crucial contest will be in the centre where Jackson McEwen pits his skill against former Geelong player Oscar Brownless.
Redbacks’ on-ballers Mark Robinson, Hamish Lockhart and Mitch McEwen have a huge role against Ryan O’Sullivan, Wade Donnan and Thomas Cox.
Premiers the past two seasons, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers is jointly coached by Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes.
Calder United Lions take on Donald at Nullawil.
A Lions line-up coached by Darryl Wilson, non-playing, and Jordan Humphreys, playing, has achieved a win-loss tally of five-two and is third in the premiership race.
In round one the Lions charged to a 151-point victory on Donald’s turf.
Lions forwards Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer, Cody Green and George Turner are likely to have plenty of scoring opportunities.
In-form players for Calder United include rover Matt Wade, centreman Kobe Lloyd, and a half-back line of Zane Keighran, Oscar Madden and Zach Caccaviello.
Donald’s team which will try to tame the Lions includes coach Daniel Pearce, Darcy Harrison, Ryan Bath, Harry Forrest, and Ben, Brent and Sam Arho.
The Royal Blues selected Brady Griffiths in the ruck, Josh Talty in the centre, and Jett Adams as ruck-rover.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Birchip-Watchem will be home at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip against Charlton.
The Ash Connick-coached Bulls dominated the round seven clash with St Arnaud to win by 159 points.
Ben Edwards kicked 14 goals in a best afield performance and has kicked 58 goals in six matches for the Bulls this season.
Best in Birchip-Watchem’s seventh consecutive win were Meyrick Buchanan, ruckman Hamish Hosking and Rhona Conboy.
The Bulls’ squad includes Lachy Foott, captain Dale Hinkley, Connor and Will Lee, and Marshall and Nicholas Rippon.
Charlton will be keen to hit back after a 140-point loss to Calder United at Nullawil last round.
Best for the Navies against the Lions were Bailey Hooper-Dixon, Kris Clifford, Archer Patterson and Elliott Fitzpatrick.
Huge plus for Charlton is the return of coach Mitch Collins to play for the first time since round five.
The Navies’ squad to tackle the Bulls includes Aaron Schofield, Patrick Soulsby, Mason Heenan, Sean O’Connor, captain Ben Lanyon and Ben Xiriha.
Boort faces St Arnaud in the clash of the Magpies and Saints at Boort Park.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort will start favourite to claim its sixth win of the season.
The Magpies withstood a spirited final quarter fightback to win the round seven match at Donaldson Park by five points.
Best for Boort were Carlos Egan, Matt Austin, James Keeble and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly.
Players to watch for the Magpies include rover Jayden Dick, ruck-rover Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Keiren Wilson, Will Perryman, and Kayne and Tyson Rutley.
It’s another huge challenge for the Scott Driscoll-coached St Arnaud.
Crucial roles will be played by ruck-rover Kurtis Torney, Harley Durward and Darby Schilder in defence, Daniel Gifford and Jackson Needs on the wings.
The Saints’ attack includes Max Hungerford, Jake and Sam Male.
North Central senior footy ladder:
Birchip-Watchem 290 per cent, 28 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 315, 20; Calder United Lions 264, 20; Boort 152, 20; Wedderburn 146, 12; Charlton 26, 8; St Arnaud 39, 4; Donald 12, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
58 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
35 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort.
34 Jack Exell, Calder United Lions.
21 Max Cahoon, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
20 Lachy McClelland, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
19 Kayne Rutley, Boort.
18 Thomas Cox, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
18 Joseph Reid, Birchip-Watchem.
18 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
16 Mitch Jensen, Wedderburn.
16 Tyson McKenzie, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
14 Peter Barbopoulos, Boort.
14 Mitch Farmer, Calder United Lions.
14 Jordan Humphreys, Calder United Lions.
12 Rhona Conboy, Birchip-Watchem.
12 Adam Pattison, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
11 Ethan Coleman, Boort.
11 Carlos Egan, Boort.
10 Oscar Holt, Wedderburn.
10 Max Hungerford, St Arnaud.
10 Darcy Jackson, Wedderburn.
9 James Keeble, Boort.
9 Steven Kennedy, Calder United Lions.
8 Daniel Bell, Birchip-Watchem.
8 Zane Keighran, Calder United Lions.
8 Jye Mortlock, Wedderburn.
7 Brent Arho, Donald.
7 Trent Donnan, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
7 Jarvis Keogh, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
7 Kobe Lloyd, Calder United Lions.
7 Mitch McEwen, Wedderburn.