IT’S another grand final appearance for the Tigers after Sea Lake Nandaly won last Saturday’s second semi-final against Wedderburn in Goldacres North Central senior footy.
After finishing on top of the ladder on a 15-1 record, Wedderburn was first to goal through Oscar Holt at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve.
Sea Lake Nandaly had broken the Redbacks unbeaten run when they won the 13th round clash at Sea Lake Oval by 62 points.
After Holt’s early goal it was the Tigers who took charge with goals by Lachy McClelland, Billy McInnes, co-coach Boyd Bailey and Brody Weir to lead 29-8 at quarter-time.
Heat was on the red and black as Boyd Bailey and Max Cahoon were on target for the SLN line-up.
It took until the 15th minute of the quarter for Wedderburn to answer through Tom Campbell.
By half-time the Tigers were up 46-16.
Wedderburn was first to goal in the second half through Mitch McEwen, but Boyd Bailey answered less than 30 seconds later.
McClelland’s second gave the Tigers a 37-point buffer.
Consecutive goals by Tyler Curtis put Wedderburn within four goals going into the last quarter.
When Matt Perri goaled less than 3 ½ minutes into the fourth term the hopes of the Redbacks’ fans lifted.
Sea Lake Nandaly struck back with a goal by Max Cahoon.
Perri’s second major was answered by McClleland.
A goal by Oscar Holt in the 19th minute was to be the last of the contest as Sea Lake Nandaly marked a 75-57 victory.
Best for the Tigers were co-coach Wade Donnan and Boyd Bailey along with former Richmond and North Melbourne player Robin Nahas.
The play of Brandon Bailey, Max Cahoon and Lachy McClelland was also crucial in SLN making its way to the September 19 grand final at St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park.
Wedderburn’s best were Jye Mortlock, Tyler Curtis, Danny Benaim, Rory Lehmann, Jackson McEwen and Corey Lowry.
The Redbacks will fight to stay in the premiership race when they play Birchip-Watchem in the September 12 preliminary final at Boort Park.
It was dramatic finish to Hauslers reserves second semi-final.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers clawed their way to a 36-35 victory against St Arnaud.
The Saints led 18-10 at quarter-time, but Sea Lake Nandaly hit back to lead 23-20 at the long break.
Defences were on top in the third term as SLN added a goal and the Saints added two points.
St Arnaud fought back brilliantly to win the last quarter, 13-7, but it was the Tigers who led by a point at the final siren.
Goalkickers for Sea Lake Nandaly were Ethan Ellis, two; Joel Clohesy, Tye Griffiths and Chase Tait.
Kurtis Torney slotted two goals for St Arnaud as Jake Hicks, Jarryd Kell and Jacob Tillig were on target.
Best for the Tigers were Brodie Adcock, Jordan Bath, Joel Clohesy, Tom Considine, Ethan Ellis and Brandon Stadon.
The Saints’ best were Jake Hicks, Simon Elliott, Chase Zander, Kurtis Torney, Sean Bridgeman and Ben Greenaway.
St Arnaud will meet Wedderburn in the preliminary final.
Four goals to nil in the third quarter set up Boort’s victory in the Charlton and District Community Bank under-17s clash with St Arnaud.
Boort led 13-9 at quarter-time and 28-17 by the main break.
In the third quarter the Magpies swooped on chances to slot four goals to lead 51-17 going into the last.
Boort won the last, 16-12, on its way to 67-29 victory.
Harry Clapp and Brodie McPherson led the Magpies’ attack on three goals as Chaise Hird, Jaxon Marwood and Darby F. Perryman added one each.
Austin Lowe kicked two goals for St Arnaud as Max Ezard and Finn Green kicked a major.
Boort’s best were Cooper Gooding, Brodie McPherson, Jake O’Flaherty, Jaxon Marwood, Harry Clapp and Tommy Evans.
The Saints’ best were Chad Hendy, Nathan Saludes, Austin Lowe, William Thomas, Chase Hendy and Jesse James.
It’s the Saints against the Tigers as St Arnaud tackles Sea Lake Nandaly in the preliminary final.
First of Saturday’s matches involved St Arnaud and Birchip-Watchem in the Uniting Church under-14s competition.
The Birchip-Watchem Bulls led 13-8 at half-time before the Saints struck back to score 2.1 as it kept the Bulls to a behind in the third quarter.
Although it was beaten in the last, 10-7, St Arnaud clinched a 28-24 victory.
Goalkickers on St Arnaud’s list were Finn Evans, Lewis Ezard, Kayden Keating and Lewis Lowe.
The Bulls’ players on the goals list were Morgan Greenaway, Liam Spezza and Archie Tyler.
Best for the Saints were Darcy Brooks-Oakes, Ned Ezard, Lewis Lowe, Finn Evans, Patrick Zsigmond and Kayden Keating.
Birchip-Watchem’s best were Jed Coffey, Morgan Greenaway, Archie Tyler, Eligh Dean, Desmond Coffey and Ned McLoughlan.
The Bulls will play Charlton in the preliminary final.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Boort Park:
Uniting Church under-14s at 9.30am: Birchip-Watchem v Charlton.
Charlton and District Community Bank under-17s at 10.55am: St Arnaud v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Haeuslers reserves at 12.35pm: St Arnaud v Wedderburn.
Goldacres seniors at 2.30pm: Wedderburn v Birchip-Watchem.