-By Nathan Dole
GAME one in Sea Lake Nandaly’s run at a senior footy premiership hat-trick in the Goldacres North Central league kicks off with Saturday’s home game against Wedderburn.
The Tigers and Redbacks will fight for the four points at Sea Lake from 2.30pm.
When these clubs last met it was Sea Lake Nandaly which beat Wedderburn in the preliminary final by 13 points.
The Bryce Delmenico and Billy McInnes-coached Sea Lake Nandaly has plenty of running power, skill and marking options.
New recruits for Sea Lake Nandaly include Oscar Brownless from Geelong.
The Tigers also gained Jarvis Keogh from Swan Hill.
Feeny medallist as league fairest and best in ’24, Wade Donnan sets up many of the Tigers attacks.
Most of last year’s premiership team have stayed on with the yellow and black.
Newcomers for the Tom Metherell-coached Wedderburn include Mitch Jensen who won a VFL premiership with Footscray in 2014 and also captained Diggers Rest to a grand final victory.
The Pallpratt brothers, Jake and Zach will also be in the red and black.
Both were premiership winners last September – Jake at White Hills, and Zach with Sandhurst.
The Redbacks also welcome back Dane Keuken from Strathfieldsaye.
Wedderburn’s team to take on the Tigers includes Isaac, Louis, Oscar and Rhordan Holt; Jackson McEwen, Ben Bacon, Danny Benaim and Adam Postle.
A new era begins on Donald’s turf when the Royals host Calder United Lions.
The Lions were formed through the amalgamation of Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport.
It’s a change of coach at Donald as Daniel Pearce takes on the challenge.
After a couple of seasons of not playing, Darcy Harrison will be back in action for Donald.
Recruits include Charlie Campbell, Horsham Saints; Jye Johnson, Rupanyup; Glenn Meulendyks, Tyrendarra; and Callum Vandendriest, Tweed Coast.
A multiple premiership-winning coach in stints with Strathfieldsaye and previously Colbinabbin, Darryl Wilson is the Lions non-playing coach and teams up with Jordan Humphreys as playing coach.
Koby Hommelhoff and Rylee Smith are the Lions co-captains.
A talented squad for Calder United includes Rick Allan, Jack Exell, Mitch Farmer, George Turner, Matthew Wade and Josh Walsh.
The Lions recruits include Oscar Madden from Eaglehawk, and Zane Keighran whose most recent footy stint was with Mount Pleasant in 2022.
Charlton is on home turf against Birchip Watchem.
Massive test for the Mitch Collins-coached Navies against last season’s runner-up.
Charlton appointed Billy Sexton and Sam Woods as co-captains.
Those to play their first game for the Navies this Saturday will be Luke Dunne from Maryborough Giants, Josh Harris from Point Cook, Liam O’Keefe from Kangaroo Flat, Aaron Schofield from White Hills, and Ashton Wood from Murrabit.
The Navies also have Ben Lanyon, Sean O’Connor, Patrick Soulsby and Jackson Zagame in their line-up.
After a successful stint with Sandhurst which included being co-coach of last season’s premiership team, Ash Connick is now in charge of the Bulls.
Birchip Watchem has welcomed back Bill Lee from University Blues, and Jacob Christie who played in the club’s premiership victory in 2022.
Other recruits are key defender Ben Lakin from Horsham Demons, and ruckman Alex Hay from Avoca.
Opening round will be completed with a night match between St Arnaud and Boort in the Saints home at Lord Nelson Park from 6.40pm.
The Scott Driscoll-coached Saints will be led by Mitch Egan and Kurtis Torney as co-captains, and the experienced Torin Petrie as vice-captain.
Newcomers include Darcy Schilder who had stints with Geelong Cats and Werribee Tigers, Sean Holroyd from Geelong Falcons, Jay Kirwood from St Joseph’s, Max Hungerford from Geelong Amateur.
The club’s fairest and best winner in ’24, Mitch Egan will play a crucial role in the club’s drive to climb the ladder, along with Harley Durward, Daniel Gifford and Sam Male.
Huge pick-up for the Saints was the signing of Josh Caddy, a dual premiership player with Richmond.
Caddy was not named in the round one line-up.
The Dale Cameron-coached Boort will be aiming for more consistency across every quarter and match.
The Magpies were six points away from a top-four finish last season.
Recruits at Boort Park include Carlos Eagon from Essendon VFL, Peter Barbapoulos from East Keilor, Jack Weaver from Padthaway, Kayne and Tyson Rutley from Keilor, and Jed Perryman from Wandella.