BY NATHAN DOLE
UNDEFEATED premiers is a tag that few senior footy teams across country Victoria can claim to be.
At the halfway mark of the Goldacres North Central FNL season, Sea Lake Nandaly is on track to do so.
There’s still plenty of work to do, but the Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes-coached Tigers have proven to be a formidable foe so far.
Biggest scare for the yellow and black was in round two where it fought for an 80-70 victory against reigning premier, Birchip-Watchem at Sea Lake.
A formidable attack which already included McInnes and Will Simpson has also gained former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins who has kicked 17 goals in three matches.
Premier in 2019, Sea Lake Nandaly still has Trent, Wade and Kane Donnan winning plenty of contests, gun ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan, and John Summerhayes leading the way.
League newcomer Nullawil is chasing a unique feat of going from premier in one competition to being number one in another .
The Golden Rivers champions in 2022, Nullawil has made a great start to its time in the North Central FNL.
The Brett Barker-coached Maroons are in second place on a 5-2 record.
Brilliant start by Nullawil included a 41-point victory on the turf of reigning premier, Birchip-Watchem Bulls at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval in round one.
Defeats have been at Sea Lake by 44 points, and at home against Donald by two goals.
Those who have starred in the Maroons’ run include Jordan Humphreys, David Isbister, Patrick Kelly, Dean Putt and Adam Thomson.
Some big tests coming up as Nullawil is at home to Birchip-Watchem this Saturday, and tackles Sea Lake Nandaly on July 15 in the 13th round.
After a 5-11 run and fifth placing last season, Wycheproof-Narraport is third in this year’s race on a 4-3 record and a draw.
The Boe Bish-coached Demons kicked off their campaign by winning at Donald in round one by 13 points.
A great start of 2 ½ wins was derailed by a 110-point loss to Birchip-Watchem.
The Demons were outplayed by Nullawil and Sea Lake Nandaly, but will have learnt plenty.
Massive month ahead for the red and blue as it hosts Donald, travels to Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park, at home to Boort, and then plays at Birchip.
Key players for Wycheproof-Narraport include Gedd and Koby Hommelhoff, Spencer Allan, Cody Green and Josh Walsh.
Was not the best start by Birchip-Watchem as the reigning premier was 2-3 after five rounds.
Next two matches will show just where the Trevor Ryan-coached Bulls who are fourth are at as they play at Nullawil this Saturday and then host Sea Lake Nandaly.
Are on a three-match winning streak and have a strong attack that includes Ben Edwards, Nathan Gordon and Daniel Castellano.
The Bulls are brilliantly led by captain Dale Hinkley and have the premiership-winning experience of Josh Booth, Lachy Foott, Ben Hogan, Joseph Reid, Marshall Rippon, Lachlan Ryan, and Lochlan Sirett.
A 4-3 record has the Rohan Brown-coached Donald in fifth place.
The Royal Blues played brilliant football to beat Birchip-Watchem by five points, and Nullawil by eight, but have also been outpointed by Wycheproof-Narraport and Boort.
Big clash with the Demons at Donald this Saturday.
A line-up that includes Feeny medallist and gun on-baller Ross Young, the classy Ryley Barrack, gun forward Sam Dunstan, Rian McGough and Jesse Wallin cannot be taken lightly.
Boort and Wedderburn are not without a chance of forcing their way into the five.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort faces a tough test at Sea Lake this Saturday.
After that the Magpies are at home to play Charlton, travel to Wycheproof, host Donald, and then play at Wedderburn.
In the first half of the season Boort was beaten by the Tigers, defeated Charlton and Donald, drew with Wycheproof-Narraport, and went down to Wedderburn by two points.
Key players for the Pies include Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Lanyon, Natnael McLaren, Nathan Twigg and Keiren Wilson.
A 3-4 record has the Sam Barnes-coached Wedderburn in seventh place, but just a win adfrift of Donald.
Have Barnes and Tom Campbell leading the attack, plus Jordan Rosengren, Darcy Jackson, Joe Lockhart and Adam Postle winning plenty of contests.
Will be keen to beat the Demons and Royals when they meet in rounds 11 and 12.
Tough finish to the home-and-away series as the Redbacks head to Nullawil, and are then at home to play Sea Lake Nandaly.
Been a tough season for Charlton and St Arnaud, but an upset win by the Navies or Saints could have a huge bearing on just who goes through to September and ladder positions.
Sea Lake Nandaly, 7-0, 263%, 28 points, 1st:
So far – d Boort 52-27, d Birchip-Watchem 80-74, d St Arnaud 124-14, d Nullawil 91-47, bye, d Charlton 142-33, d Wycheproof-Narraport 67-34, d Donald 164-44, d Wedderburn 119-40.
Run home –v Boort, h; v Birchip-Watchem, a; v St Arnaud, h; v Nullawil, a; bye; v Charlton, h; v Wycheproof-Narraport, a; v Donald, h; v Wedderburn, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Trent Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Luke Martin, Austin Mertz, Wade Donnan.
Leading goalkickers:
24 Billy McInnes, 18 Will Simpson, 17 Josh Jenkins, 13 Thomas Cox, 12 John Summerhayes.
Nullawil, 5-2, 164%, 20 points, 2nd:
So far – d Birchip-Watchem 83-42, d St Arnaud 131-20, bye, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 47-91, d Charlton 138-48, d Wycheproof-Narraport 103-46, lt Donald 56-68, d Wedderburn 75-69, d Boort 89-43.
Run home –v Birchip-Watchem, h; v St Arnaud, a; bye; v Sea Lake Nandaly, h; v Charlton, a; v Wycheproof-Narraport, h; v Donald, a; v Wedderburn, h; v Boort, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jordan Humphreys, Patrick Kelly, Dean Putt, Dean Smith, David Isbister.
Leading goalkickers:
28 Adam Thomson; 19 Mitch Farmer; 9 Andrew Casey, Dean Smith; 7 Andrew Oberdorfer; 6 David Isbister.
Wycheproof-Narraport, 4-3-1, 94%, 18 points, 3rd:
So far – d Donald 49-36, d Wedderburn 104-65, dr Boort 82-82, lt Birchip-Watchem 16-126, d St Arnaud 100-53, lt Nullawil 46-103, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 34-67, d Charlton 96-27, bye.
Run home –v Donald, h; v Wedderburn, a; v Boort, h; v Birchip-Watchem, a; v St Arnaud, h; v Nullawil, h; v Sea Lake Nandaly, h; v Charlton, a; bye.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Koby Hommelhoff, Gedd Hommelhoff, Josh Walsh, Damien Horbury, Spencer Allan.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Gedd Hommelhoff, 14 Cody Green, 8 Ben Fraser, 7 Rick Allan, 6 Koby Hommelhoff.
Birchip-Watchem, 4-3, 176%, 16 points, 4th:
So far – lt Nullawil 42-83, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 74-80, d Charlton 177-29, d Wycheproof-Narraport 126-16, lt Donald 70-75, d Wedderburn 111-70, d Boort 86-35, bye, d St Arnaud 134-30.
Run home –v Nullawil, a; v Sea Lake Nandaly, h; v Charlton, a; v Wycheproof-Narraport, h; v Donald, a; v Wedderburn, h; v Boort, a; bye; v St Arnaud, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Nicholas Rippon, Dale Hinkley, Jos Builder, Marshall Rippon, Lachlan Ryan.
Leading goalkickers:
32 Ben Edwards, 21 Nathan Gordon, 18 Daniel Castellano, 14 Nicholas Rippon, 7 Lachy Foott.
Donald, 4-3, 94%, 16 points, 5th:
So far – lt Wycheproof-Narraport 36-49, bye, d Wedderburn 82-61, lt Boort 62-72, d Birchip-Watchem 75-70, d St Arnaud 104-26, d Nullawil 68-56, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 44-164, d Charlton 120-60.
Run home –v Wycheproof-Narraport, a; bye; v Wedderburn, h; v Boort, a; v Birchip-Watchem, h; v St Arnaud, a; v Nullawil, h; v Sea Lake Nandaly, a; v Charlton, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Ryley Barrack, Jesse Wallin, Chris Lynch, Ross Young, Ryan Hards.
Leading goalkickers:
40 Sam Dunstan, 8 Ross Young, 5 Hayden Geddes.
Boort, 3-3-1, 118%, 14 points, 6th:
So far – lt Sea Lake Nandaly 27-52, d Charlton 130-47, dr Wycheproof-Narraport 82-82, d Donald 72-62, lt Wedderburn 67-69, bye, lt Birchip-Watchem 35-86, d St Arnaud 86-23, lt Nullawil 43-89.
Run home –v Sea Lake Nandaly, a; v Charlton, h; v Wycheproof-Narraport, a; v Donald, h; v Wedderburn, a; bye; v Birchip-Watchem, h; v St Arnaud, a; v Nullawil, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Nathan Twigg, Keiren Wilson, Ryan McGhie, Jonathan Lanyon.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Jarrod Fitzpatrick, 10 Natnael McLaren, 7 Frasier Holland, 6 Shane Biggs, 5 Jesse Muscatello.
Wedderburn, 3-4, 105%, 12 points, 7th:
So far – d Charlton 108-37, lt Wycheproof-Narraport 65-104, lt Donald 61-82, bye, d Boort 69-67, lt Birchip-Watchem 70-111, d St Arnaud 101-39, lt Nullawil 69-75, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 40-119.
Run home –v Charlton, a; v Wycheproof-Narraport, h; v Donald, a; bye; v Boort, h; v Birchip-Watchem, a; v St Arnaud, h; v Nullawil, a; v Sea Lake Nandaly, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jordan Rosengren, Joe Lockhart, Darcy Jackson, Tom Campbell, Isaac Holt, Adam Postle.
Leading goalkickers:
22 Sam Barnes, 21 Tom Campbell, 12 Danny Benaim.
Charlton, 1-6, 38%, 4 points, 8th:
So far – lt Wedderburn 37-108, lt Boort 47-130, lt Birchip-Watchem 29-177, d St Arnaud 104-60, lt Nullawil 48-138, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 33-142, bye, lt Wycheproof-Narraport 27-96, lt Donald 60-120.
Run home –v Wedderburn, h; v Boort, a; v Birchip-Watchem, h; v St Arnaud, a; v Nullawil, h; v Sea Lake Nandaly, a; bye; v Wycheproof-Narraport, h; v Donald, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Rhyen Woods, Sam Woods, Jed Thompson, Jaydon Cowling, Cobi Fitzpatrick.
Leading goalkickers:
13 Nick Thompson, 6 Kris Clifford, Harrison Taylor; 5 Chris Gavaghan, Jaydon Cowling.
St Arnaud, 0-7, 31%, 0 points, 9th:
So far – bye, lt Nullawil 20-131, lt Sea Lake Nandaly 14-124, lt Charlton 60-104, lt Wycheproof-Narraport 53-100, lt Donald 26-104, lt Wedderburn 39-101, lt Boort 23-86, lt Birchip-Watchem 30-134.
Run home –bye; v Nullawil, h; v Sea Lake Nandaly, a; v Charlton, h; v Wycheproof-Narraport, a; v Donald, h; v Wedderburn, a; v Boort, h; v Birchip-Watchem, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Bradley Organ, Nick Birthisel, Harley Durward, William Bertalli, Jacob Tillig.
Leading goalkickers:
9 Jake Hicks, 6 Jacob Tillig, 5 Jake Male.