BY NATHAN DOLE
Tigers, Bulls aim to charge into grand final
IT WILL be Sea Lake Nandaly or Birchip-Watchem which is first into the Goldacres North Central senior footy grand final after they clash in Saturday’s second semi-final in Donald.
The showdown of the Tigers and Bulls starts at 2.30pm.
The premiers of the past two seasons – SLN in ’23, and the Bulls in ’22 – have a one-all record in this season’s meetings.
In round four it was Birchip-Watchem which won 96-83 on its turf at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
Gun goalkicker Ben Edwards led the Bulls’ attack on five goals and again looms as a major threat to the Tigers’ chances.
Other multiple goalkickers in the victory were Joseph Reid and Nicholas Rippon, three; and Daniel Bell, two.
The Tigers’ attack was led by co-coach Billy McInnes, three; Lachy McClelland, Jackson McMahon and Will Simpson, two.
Best for the Trevor Ryan-coached Birchip-Watchem were Joseph Reid, Ben Edwards, gun ruckman Hamish Hosking, and Lachy Foott.
Jack Poulton, captain Ryan O’Sullivan, Thomas Cox and Wade Donnan played well for the Tigers.
In round 13 it was Sea Lake which marked a 90-58 victory against the Bulls in Tigers’ territory.
Former Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins kicked five goals for SLN as Tyson McKenzie added two.
The Bulls’ leading goalkicker was Ben Edwards on five.
Best for Sea Lake Nandaly were Kane Donnan, Jack Poulton, Luke Martin and Wade Donnan.
Birchip-Watchem’s best were Jacob Noonan, Hamish Hosking, Darcy Reid and Joseph Reid.
A brilliant season by Sea Lake Nandaly on-baller Wade Donnan resulted in claiming the Feeny Medal as league fairest and best.
Sights are now on playing his role in the pursuit of back-to-back premierships for the yellow and black.
The Sea Lake Nandaly squad for Saturday’s clash includes Thomas Cox, co-coach Bryce Delmenico, Connor Michael, Jack Poulton, Will Simpson and Brody Weir.
Key players for the Bulls include Darcy and Joseph Reid, Marshall Rippon, Lachlan Ryan, Sam Simmons, Lochlan Sirett and Patrick Veszpremi.
As the winner advances to the September 14 grand final the defeated will face Wedderburn in the preliminary final on September 7 at Charlton Park.
In the Haeuslers reserves competition, Nullawil faces Sea Lake Nandaly in the second semi-final.
A 15-1 record meant Nullawil ended the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
The run included a 74-28 win at Sea Lake in round five.
Only defeat for Nullawil was in round 14 when Sea Lake Nandaly marked a 61-38 victory on the Maroons’ ground.
Boort takes on St Arnaud in the under-17s competition which is sponsored by Charlton and District Community Bank.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between the Magpies and Saints.
Boort dominated the round nine match at Boort Park to win by 99 points.
When they met again in the 18th round it was the Saints which took the points, 49-36 at Lord Nelson Park.
Second semi-final day kicks off with the Uniting Church under-14 match between Sea Lake Nandaly and Boort.
Unbeaten in 16 matches, Sea Lake Nandaly will start favourite against the Magpies.
In round one the Tigers roared to a 61-11 victory against Boort in Sea Lake.
Just two points separated the teams when they met in round 10 where the Tigers clawed their way to a 35-33 victory at Boort Park.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Donald:
Under-14s at 9.30am: Sea Lake Nandaly v Boort.
Under-17s at 10.55am: Boort v St Arnaud.
Reserves at 12.25pm: Nullawil v Sea Lake Nandaly.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Sea Lake Nandaly v Birchip-Watchem.