Bulls outpoint Tigers on Birchip’s turf
THE Birchip Watchem Bulls kicked off the Goldacres North Central Football League season in style by winning Saturday’s first round senior footy clash with Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Birchip Watchem raced to a 25-2 lead by quarter-time of the match at George Cartwright Oval in Birchip.
Both teams 13 points in the second term, but the Tigers would rue an inaccurate return of 1.7 as the Bulls led 38-15 at the long break.
The Bulls and Tigers added two goals apiece in the third quarter.
Sea Lake Nandaly fired up in the last to add 3.3 to a goal, but it was the Bulls who celebrated a hard-fought 9.5 (59) to 6.12 (48) victory.
Leading goalkickers for Birchip Watchem were Dylan Adkins and Daniel Castellano on two apiece.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Billy McInnes on three.
Best for the Bulls were Adkins, Sam Simmons, Lochy Sirett, Kyle Stevens, Clayton Hinkley and Riley Hogan.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s best were Kane Donnan, Austin Mertz, Flynn McGarry, Tyson McKenzie, Charlie Cox and Trent Donnan.
The Demons beat the Saints as Wycheproof Narraport marked an 18-point victory against St Arnaud at Wycheproof.
A 10-point lead for Wycheproof Narraport was up to 14 by the long break after the Demons scored 6.11 to 5.3 to in the first half.
St Arnaud lifted to win the third term, 2.2 to 1.2, but the Boe Bish-coached Wycheproof Narraport added 2.4 to a goal in the last for a 9.17 (71) to 8.5 (53) result.
The Demons attack was led by Cody Green, three goals, and Justin Bateson, two.
Josh Hicks kicked three goals for the Saints as Angus Grant added two.
One of the gun recruits for the Demons from Eaglehawk, Gedd Hommelhoff was best afield as Dane McLennan, Connor Burge, Lachlan Van Schaick, Joe Kenny and Justin Bateson played well.
St Arnaud’s best were Jake Hicks, Jacob Tillig, Harley Durward, Mitch Birthisel, Bailey Durward and Mace Bibby.
The Redbacks from Wedderburn overcame a slow start at Charlton Park to beat the Navies by 53 points.
Charlton led 4.1 to 2.2 at quarter-time, but Wedderburn scored 3.2 to a point in the second to lead 34-26 at the long break.
Led by the play of Jackson Guan, Jordan Hargreaves and Jaran McKay, Wedderburn slammed on 6.4 to 2.1 in the third quarter.
A high-scoring final term went the way of the Redbacks, 38-20, on the way to a 17.10 (112) to 9.5 (59) victory.
Tom Campbell kicked a game-high five goals for Wedderburn and Danny Benaim booted four.
Charlton’s leading goalkickers were Kris Clifford, Bailey Kemp, Rhys Thompson and Riely Thiesz on two each.
Wedderburn’s best were Guan, Hargreaves, McKay, Luke Holt, Isaac Holt and Danny Benaim.
Best for the Navies were Aaron Walklate, Tim Hill, Rhys Thompson, Ben Roberts, Thomas Finlay and Fergus Bourke.
A seven-goal blitz in the first quarter set up Donald’s big win against Boort at Donald.
The Royals scored 6.7 to a point in the opening term.
A hard-fought second quarter was won by Donald, 15-13.
Led by the play of Shane Neaves, Brody Haddow and Ross Young, Donald dominated the final hour as it scored 11.7 to 2.4 to complete a 19.13 (131)to 4.6 (30) victory.
The Royals’ attack was led by Leigh Burke and Shane Neaves on three apiece.
Brodie Leonard-Shannon kicked two goals for the Magpies.
Donald’s best included Daniel Pearce, Dyson Bell-Warren and Will Burke.
The Magpies’ best were Jarrod Starr, Keiren Wilson, Levi Moss, Nathan Twigg, Ben Knight and Tom Hawker.
North Central FL senior footy ladder:
Donald 436 per cent, 4 points; Wedderburn 189, 4; Wycheproof Narraport 133, 4; Birchip Watchem 122, 4; Sea Lake Nandaly 81, 0; St Arnaud 74, 0; Charlton 52, 0; Boort 22, 0.
In next Saturday’s second round, Wedderburn takes on Wycheproof Narraport in the Redbacks’ web at Donaldson Park.l
The Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will aim to rebound from defeat when they tackle Charlton at Sea Lake.
Boort faces Birchip Watchem at Boort Park.
St Arnaud meets Donald on the Saints’ turf at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud.
Written by Nathan Dole.