-By Nathan Dole
GUN forwards Ben Edwards and Jack Exell played brilliantly for Birchip-Watchem and Calder United Lions respectively in Saturday’s start to the Goldacres North Central senior footy season.
Edwards kicked 13 goals as the Birchip-Watchem Bulls charged to a 192-21 victory on Chalrton’s turf at Charlton Park.
Formed by the merger of Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport, Calder United Lions dominated the match at Donald as Exell booted eight goals in the 164-13 result.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s quest for a premiership hat-trick kicked off with a 76-28 victory against Wedderburn in Tigers’ territory at Sea Lake Oval.
It was the start of a new era as Calder United Lions took to Donald’s turf.
Jointly coached by Darryl Wilson, non-playing, and Jordan Humphreys, playing, the Lions led 27-12 at quarter-time.
Calder United then motored to an 11-goal buffer by half-time after it scored 7.9 and kept Donald scoreless in the second term.
The Lions pressure and run did not ease up as they won the third term, 20-1, and then scored 10.6 to nil in the last.
At the final siren Calder United led 164-13.
It was an excellent game by Jack Exell as he capped off attacks with eight goals as Mitch Farmer booted five majors.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Lions were Zac Caccaviello, Zane Keighran, Kobe Lloyd and Matthew Wade on two.
It was a tough afternoon for the Daniel Pearce-coached Donald in which Brent Arho and Harry Forrest kicked goals.
Zane Keighran marked a return to footy by being best afield for the Lions.
Others to impress for Calder United were Jack Exell, Zac Caccaviello, Boe Bish, Darcy Munro and Mitch Farmer.
Donald’s best were Dyson Bell-Warren, Daniel Pearce, Darcy Harrison, Charlie Campbell, Eddie Landwehr and Robert Walker.
The Birchip Watchem Bulls racked up goal tallies of eight, 10 and eight across the last three quarters at Charlton.
By the final siren the Ash Connick-coached Bulls led 192-21.
Ben Edwards made an incredible start to the season by kicking 13 goals as Nicholas Rippon, four; Daniel Bell, three, capped off their team’s dominance in the on-ball and midfield contests.
There were 11 goalkickers in Birchip-Watchem’s score of 30.12.
Goalkickers for Charlton were Elliott Fitzpatrick, Aaron Schofield and Rhyen Woods.
Best for Birchip-Watchem were Marshall Rippon, Ben Edwards, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Daniel Bell, Meyrick Buchanan and Cormaac Wilson.
Ben Xiriha, Patrick Soulsby, Luke Dunne, coach Mitch Collins, Sean O’Connor and Ben Lanyon were Charlton’s best.
Sea Lake Nandaly was too strong for Wedderburn at Sea Lake.
The Tom Meterell-coached Wedderburn played well to win the first quarter, 13-11.
From there it was the Tigers who took control.
The yellow and black won the second term, 27-1.
An even third quarter went SLN’s way, 16-14.
The Tigers added 3.4 and kept Wedderburn scoreless in the final term to complete a 76-28 victory.
The reigning premier’s attack was led by Lachy McClelland on three goals as Tyson McKenzie and Adam Pattison added two each.
Wedderburn’s leading goalkicker was Mitch Jensen on three.
Recruited to the Tigers after being on Geelong’s AFL list and playing VFL, Oscar Brownless was best on ground.
Wade Donnan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Jarvis Keogh, Joel Donnan and Cooper Roberts all played well for the Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes-coached Sea Lake Nandaly.
Best for Wedderburn were Mitch Jensen, Zach Pallpratt, Isaac Holt, Jye Mortlock, Ben Bacon and Danny Benaim.
Boort marked a 69-point victory on St Arnaud’s turf in Saturday night’s match at Lord Nelson Park.
The Magpies from Boort led 22-7 at quarter-time and 47-21 by the long break.
Quarter three was when the match was broken apart as the Dale Cameron-coached Boort scored 4.9 and held the Saints to a tally of 1.2.
The last quarter was to be Boort’s on the goalkicking front as it added 6.2.
The Scott Driscoll-coached St Arnaud kept working hard and scored 3.2.
At the final siren Boort led 118-49.
Jhye Baddeley-Kelly kicked four goals for the Magpies as Kayne Rutley booted three and Carlos Egan and James Keeble chipped in with two each.
The Saints’ attack was led by Jacob Tillig, three; and Max Hungerford, two.
Boort’s best were Tom Potter, Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Kayne Rutley, Keiren Wilson, James Keeble and Carlos Egan.
Torin Petrie, Max Hungerford, Jay Kirwood, Brad Organ, Owen Lowe and Bailey Nicholas played well for the Saints.
North Central senior footy ladder:
Calder United Lions 1261 per cent, 4 points; Birchip-Watchem 914, 4; Sea Lake Nandaly 271, 4; Boort 240, 4; St Arnaud 41, 0; Wedderburn 36, 0; Charlton 10, 0; Donald 7, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
13 Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem.
8 Jack Exell, Calder United Lions.
5 Mitch Farmer, Calder United Lions.
4 Nicholas Rippon, Birchip-Watchem.
4 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort.
3 Daniel Bell, Birchip-Watchem.
3 Mitch Jensen, Wedderburn.
3 Lachy McClelland, Sea Lake Nandaly.
3 Kayne Rutley, Boort.
3 Jacob Tillig, St Arnaud.
In next Saturday’s second round it’s Calder United Lions against Sea Lake Nandaly from 2.30pm at Nullawil Football Oval.
Birchip-Watchem tackles Donald at Birchip’s George Cartwright Oval.
Boort takes on Charlton in the clash of the Magpies and Navies at Boort Park.
Wedderburn will be on home turf at Donaldson Park against St Arnaud.