Sluggish start fading memory

BIRCHIP Watchem is hitting its straps after a sluggish season start by North Central league reigning premiers.

The Bulls were challenged well by Wedderburn in the first quarter of Saturday’s clash against the Redbacks at Donaldson Park.

But an eight-goal second term that had Nathan Gordon dangerous up forward and solid work in defence put the Bulls in a commanding position that they would not surrender.

The Redbacks started full of energy and had the first goal on the board within a minute of the opening bounce when Mitchell McEwan put the ball through.

Lochlan Sirett was back for Birchip for the first time since a hip injury in round one and proving dangerous, initiating turnovers and that saw the Bulls constantly heading deep into attack but getting only behinds added to the scoreboard.

Darcy Jackson repelled many of those forward thrusts until Gordon capped off two minutes of manic pressure and put the Bulls into the lead.

Wedderburn coach Sam Barnes put his side back in the lead minutes later and the Redbacks were on course for another when a free kick gave the momentum to the Bulls.

Slick chip work across half-forward between Rippon and Foott was capped off by a Sirett goal.

Veteran Danny Benaim brought Wedderburn back to a point down before Bulls’ Daniel Batarillo booted truly from 25 metres out and put the Bulls seven up at the first break.

From then, Birchip had an extra metre or two and was able to extend its lead in each quarter.

Two quick goals in the opening minutes of the second term showed the ferociousness of the Bulls.

Christodoulou was having a big influence in the midfield and the Bulls’ de- fence rarely penetrated by the home side. Tom Campbell had one good run deep and the passage was capped with a Benaim goal.

Adam Postle again rucked like a champion and more than tested Will Marks and Jonty Randal who were put into the pointy end of combat by Bulls’ coach Trevor Ryan.

Postle was named in the Redbacks’ best along with Rosengren, McEwen and Benaim.

For the Bulls, they now have a positive ledger after six matches. And two of those losses, including a fortnight ago to last season’s runners-up Donald, have been by a kick or less.

The win came without key forward Ben Edwards who is off on holidays but still leads the league goalkicking.

For the Redbacks, Saturday’s performance and the scoreboard showed they have the capacity to hold top sides, they just need to do it for four quarters.

Defence strength and accurate kicking could get points

BOORT needs the points when the Magpies head across to Birchip in a North Central round emerging as crucial for clubs wanting to secure a top four finish.

The Pies are coming back from the bye after lowering colours by two points to Loddon rivals Wedderburn.

Dale Cameron’s game plan will be put to the test by Birchip Watchem with the Bulls having a strong percentage from

SENIORS their four wins of the season. Part of Cameron’s plan revolves around a strong Boort defence and that will be tested by Castellano and Gordon.

In Boort’s favour is the strong season so far by ruckman Nathan Twigg and some useful work by midfielders.

They will need to get the ball down forward with speed and accuracy to pull the Bulls up in their tracks.

In Front Of Goal

27 - (0) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

25 - (9) - Sam Dunstan - Donald

20 - (5) - Billy Mcinnes - Sea Lake Nandaly

18 - (2) - Gedd Hommelhoff - Wycheproof N

18 - (3) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

15 - (3) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil

14 - (3) - Daniel Castellano - Birchip Watchem

14 - (1) - Sam Barnes - Wedderburn

13 - (6) - Nathan Gordon - Birchip Watchem

13 - (2) - Cody Green - Wycheproof N 12 - (1) - Tom Campbell - Wedderburn 11 - (6) - Will Simpson - Sea Lake Nandaly RESERVES

18 - (5) - Callum Goode - Birchip Watchem

16 - (3) - Ben Brennan - Wycheproof N

12 - (3) - Gerald Riley - Wedderburn

12 - (0) - Patrick O’Rourke - Boort

12 - (2) - Sam Goldsmith - Nullawil

If Boort has a near-full list for selection, including Lanyon and Biggs plus the every-improving Tom Potter, Pies could fly back into the four.

Wedderburn will have too much skill and commitment when the Redbacks travel to St Arnaud.

Expect a more settled Redbacks team in coming weeks, one that cannot be discounted in a tight race.

THIS SATURDAY

LODDON HERALD TIPS

St Arnaud v Wedderburn

Birchip Watchem v Boort

Nullawil v Donald

Sea Lake Nandaly v Wycheproof Narraport

Charlton bye

Reserves

GOALS - Charlton: R. Welch 2, A. Judd, L. HolmesBrown, B. Dixon. Sea Lake Nandaly: B. Poulton 4, C. Allan 2, B. Crowe, N. Wight, R. Mcclelland, J. Clohesy, D. Bailey, D. Hickey, Z. Wemyss.

- Charlton: M. Giri, A. Judd, A. Johnstone, B. Dixon, B. Sexton, R. Welch. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Michael, C. Noonan, J. Clohesy, B. Poulton, A. Collins, L. McClelland.

Watchem

(30)

(120)

GOALS - Wedderburn: G. Riley 3, C. Hargreaves. Birchip Watchem: C. Goode 5, T. Wiantara, R. Doran 3, B. Hogan, J. Goldsmith 2, B. Colbert, L. Randall, M. Finster.

BEST - Wedderburn: M. Lockhart, W. Harvey, J. David, L. Last, G. Riley, S. Carroll. Birchip Watchem: B. Colbert, B. Hogan, A. Noonan, R. Doran, T. Wiantara, J. Boyle.

Donald 3.3 3.6 6.6 7.11 (53) St Arnaud 2.2 3.5 4.9 5.9 (39)

GOALS - Donald: J. Heslop 3, B. Dixon 2, G. Morgan, A. Schofield. St Arnaud: B. Hammerstein 2, K. Torney, O. Lowe, C. Leach.

BEST - Donald: K. Green, J. Heslop, J. Adams, B. Dixon, G. Beckham, T. Letts. St Arnaud: K. Torney, O. Lowe, Z. MacDonald, Z. Notting, B. Hammerstein, J. Pickthall.

(23)

(62)

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: B. Brennan 3. Nullawil: J. Taylor, S. Goldsmith 2, D. Kelly, M. Poyner, J. Perry, J. Vearing.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: T. Trewin, R. Jones, D. Allen, A. Hogan, M. Hall. Nullawil: L. Braine, D. Kelly, J. Vearing, M. Hogan, J. Taylor.