Forget ladder! Coaches predict tight ding-dong

LODDON bragging rights are on the line when evolving Boort takes on Wedderburn in Saturday’s North Central match of the day.

Coaches Dale Cameron and Sam Barnes are placing no importance on their sides’ current ladder positions.

They are preparing for a tight dingdong battle with the result likely to define the seasons for both Pies and Redbacks.

Home side Boort should have been sitting 3-1 - a first-up game against Sea Lake Nandaly was always going to be a big ask - if not for a fade against Wycheproof Narraport when the Pies were lucky to escape with two points from a draw. The Redbacks have been hit with a revolving group of players available for team selection each week.

Boort is expected to have Shane Biggs, Moss and Aitken back in the side for Saturday’s Loddon Derby.

“It’s the old rivalry,” said Cameron. “It should be a good arm wrestle with Wedderburn.”

One of the key match-ups will be ruckman Nathan Twigg up against Redbacks’ veteran Adam Postle who rucked all day a fortnight ago and should be well rested after the Redbacks’ bye last weekend.

Postle has been put back into the ruck with the suspension and also overseas travel of 2021 Feeny Medallist Jordan Hargreaves.

The Redbacks will also be without Jaran McKay, his season finished with a knee injury in the match two weeks ago against Donald.

Barnes says Luke Holt and Joe Lockhart are more than capable onballers to cover the loss of McKay.

He believes that Wedderburn’s one-onone pressure can see the fight taken right up to Boort.

Cameron, meanwhile, is overseeing a side on the improve each week. Likely to be near full strength, the Pies should win.

Seniors

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: B. McInnes 6, W. Donnan, T. Cox 2, J. Summerhayes, J. Wright, W. Simpson. Nullawil: M. Farmer 3, A. Thomson 2, M. Quigley, D. Smith. BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: R. O’Sullivan, B. McInnes, T. Donnan, A. Mertz, W. Donnan, J. Poulton. Nullawil

Seniors: M. Quigley, J. Humphreys, D. Putt, P. Kelly, M. Thomson.

GOALS - Donald: S. Dunstan 3, H. Geddes, C. Anderson, E. Landwehr, N. Berry, R. Young, R. O’Shannessy. Boort: A. Davis 3, T. Potter, J. Fitzpatrick, M. Chisari 2, H. Weaver, J. Muscatello.

BEST - Donald: R. Barrack, R. Young, R. Hards, C. Lynch, H. Forrest, H. Geddes. Boort: J. Lanyon, N. McLaren, J. Fitzpatrick, N. Twigg, J. Muscatello, A. Davis.

Arnaud

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GOALS - Charlton: K. Clifford 4, T. Baird , N. Thompson 3, J. Cowling, H. Taylor 2, S. Woods, R. Thiesz. St Arnaud: J. Hicks 4, K. Torney 2, N. Birthisel, J. Tillig, A. Bourke.

BEST - Charlton: J. Taylor, J. Carey, R. Woods, K. Clifford, A. Judd, H. Taylor. St Arnaud: J. Hicks, K. Torney, N. Birthisel, M. Egan, H. Durward, A. Bourke.