DONALD’S unbeaten run will be under threat from Sea Lake Nandaly in Saturday’s seventh round of senior footy action in the Goldacres North Central Football League.
The Royal Blues and Tigers will clash on Sea Lake’s turf.
A psychological blow could be delivered as the competition’s top two of ’22 meet at Tigerland.
An impressive run by Donald began with a 101-point victory in round one at home against Boort.
Since then the Royals have won at St Arnaud by 88 points, scored a 17-point win at home against Birchip-Watchem, and beat Charlton by 149 points in Donald.
Latest wins for the Royals were by 49 points on Wycheproof-Narraport’s turf, and last Saturday’s home win against Wedderburn by 68 points.
Back at the Royals after a stint with South Bendigo, ruck-rover Brody Haddow was best afield in Donald’s latest win and also kicked four goals.
The Donald attack also had Will Burke kick four goals against the Redbacks as Ryley Barrack, Sam Griffiths and Will Burke were among the best.
In this contest the Royals’ will need strong defensive games from the likes of Jordan Bates-Gilby, Darcy Harrison, James Wall and Scott Wood.
Since a 48-59 loss to Birchip-Watchem Bulls at Birchip in round one, Sea Lake Nandaly has torn most defences apart.
The Tigers scored a 198-point against Charlton at home in round two, then won by by 101 points at Wycheproof, and then beat Wedderburn by 52 points at Sea Lake.
A 154-point triumph at home against St Arnaud was then followed by a 163-22 result in last Saturday’s clash at Boort Park.
Gun forward Billy McInnes kicked eight goals against the Magpies as Will Simpson, four, and Wade Donnan, three, capitalised on the Tigers’ dominance in the on-ball and midfield duels.
Players to watch for Sea Lake Nandaly include Austin Mertz, Matt Elliott, Ryan O’Sullivan and Kane Donnan.
Another big match will be at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park where the Redbacks take on Birchip-Watchem.
The Bulls fought for a 102-72 victory at home against Wycheproof-Narraport as Daniel Ratcliffe and Will Sheahan kicked three goals apiece.
In-form players for the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls include ruckman Lochy Sirett, Clayton Hinkley and Marshall Rippon.
Birchip-Watchem has Sam Simmons, Stefan Pye, Dale Hinkley and Lachlan Ryan capable of winning many contests.
The heat’s on the Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn to hit back from a 68-point loss at Donald.
The Redbacks were held to just five goals in a match where Luke Holt was the only multiple goalkicker on two.
The play of rover Corey Lowry, Sam Lockhart, Hamish Winter-Irving and Jackson Gunan in defence, Tom Campbell at centre half-forward, and Mitch McEwen will be a key to the hopes of a victory for the red and black.
Consecutive victories is the target for St Arnaud as it hosts Boort at Lord Nelson Park.
The Saints won 67-54 at Charlton Park as Jacob Tillig capped a best afield performance with three goals.
Kurtis Torney, Daniel Gifford and Mitch Egan also played well for the Torin Petrie-coached Saints.
The play of Jake and Josh Hicks, Heath McNally, Daniel Gifford and Tom Douglas will be important to St Arnaud’s bid to beat the Magpies.
Boort will be desperate to create more scoring chances after a tally of 3.4 against Sea Lake Nandaly.
Brodie Leonard-Shannon kicked two goals in the latest hit-out for the Andy Hawker-coached Magpies.
Key players for Boort include Nathan Twigg in the ruck, Matt Chisari as ruck-rover, James and Keiren Wilson in defence, Sam Green in the centre, Jesse Muscatello, Ben Knight and Cody Gunn in attack.
It’s the Demons against the Blues as Wycheproof-Narraport faces Charlton at Wycheproof.
The Boe Bish-coached Demons will start favourite.
Wycheproof-Narraport’s best in the clash at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip were Gedd Hommelhoff, four goals; Jack McHutchison; Cody Green, three goals; and Rowan Jones.
Others to watch for the Demons include Justin Bateson, ruckman Lachlan L Van Schaik, Trevor Rumbold and Connor Burge.
The Navies worked hard, but went down to the Saints by 13 points at Charlton Park.
Ricky Welch kicked three goals as Kade Blow, Sean O’Connor, Cobi Fitzpatrick and Rhys Thompson were Charlton’s best.
The Navies will look to Riely Thiesz, Aaron Walklate, Anthony Judd and Jackson Zagame to lead the way in breaking their season ‘duck’.
Goldacres North Central FL senior footy ladder:
Donald 319 per cent, 24 points; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 469, 20; Birchip-Watchem 200, 20; Wedderburn 131, 16; Wycheproof-Narraport 61, 8; Boort 40, 4; St Arnaud 35, 4; Charlton 33, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
36 Billy McInnes, SLN.
21 Will Sheahan, BW.
16 Daniel Castellano, BW.
15 Tom Campbell, W’burn; Jordan Rosengren, W’burn.
14 Danny Benaim, W’burn.
13 Justin Ellis, SLN; Blake Grant, D.
12 Cody Green, WN; Will Simpson, SLN.
11 Brody Haddow, D.
10 Leigh Burke, D; Will Burke, D; Josh Potter, D.
9 Ben DeAraugo, W’burn; Joshua Hicks, SA; Elliot Jaeschke, BW; Riely Thiesz, C.
8 Dylan Adkins, BW; Gedd Hommelhoff, WN; Brodie Leonard-Shannon, B; Jaran McKay, W’burn.
Written by Nathan Dole.