Forward errors blow hopes out of ground

FORWARD structure and accuracy has caused scoreboard havoc again for Boort.

The Pies were deadly off target in their North Central game against Nullawil on Saturday with just better than one in four shots for goal a success.

Coach Dale Cameron has lamented the lost opportunity from the encounter that saw the Pies’ defence stand tall so often.

“We had most of the play but the ball came quicker out of our forward zone then it went in” Cameron said after the game that Boort lost by 46 points.

The Pies have been plagued by poorchoice kicks around goal all season. Saturday’s five goals were kicked by just two players - midfielders Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Tom Potter.

Other forwards were left frustrated and hemmed in as the Maroons flooded into defence.

Mis-kicks and not making the right decisions aside, Boort was still in the contest at half-time.

Nathan Twigg was again having a big influence in the ruck and around the ground.

SENIORS

40 - (8) - Sam Dunstan - Donald

Keiran Wilson continued to marshal Boort’s defence stocks where he teamed with McGhie and Starr across half-back to create the Pies’ best line all day.

Winger Chris Hatcher, lining up for his 150th senior game, was also part of an efficient midfield.

Nullawil’s third term snuffed a bit of

In Front Of Goal

32 - (5) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

28 - (3) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

24 - (1) - Billy Mcinnes - Sea Lake Nandaly

22 - (1) - Sam Barnes - Wedderburn

21 - (0) - Gedd Hommelhoff - Wycheproof N

21 - (4) - Nathan Gordon - Birchip Watchem

21 - (2) - Tom Campbell - Wedderburn

19 - (0) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil

18 - (1) - Will Simpson - Sea Lake Nandaly

18 - (1) - Daniel Castellano - Birchip Watchem

17 - (6) - Joshua Jenkins - Sea Lake Nandaly

15 - (3) - Jarrod Fitzpatrick - Boort

RESERVES

33 - (9) - Billy Poulton - Sea Lake Nandaly

27 - (0) - Sam Goldsmith - Nullawil

23 - (3) - Callum Goode - Birchip Watchem

18 - (0) - Gerald Riley - Wedderburn

17 - (0) - Patrick O’Rourke - Boort the Pies’ spirit when the Maroons added seven goals and a solitary behind.

Whatever the angle and despite windy conditions, Nullawil was nailing what Boort was missing.

Boort had much of the play in the final term but could only score 1.5.

Wedderburn had a tough game against league leaders Sea Lake Nandaly.

The Redbacks registered just one score in the opening term as the Tiger skipped to a handy lead.

Down 43 points at the main break, Wedderburn had a better third term as defenders Jones, Isaac Holt and Jacob DeAraugo limited opportunities for Jenkins and Cox in front of Tiger goals. Rosengren in the centre and Joe Lockhart up forward were also giving their all to keep the Redbacks somewhere near Sea Lake.

But the Tigers came roaring back with the wind in the final term with 7.7 added to the scoreboard and keeping Wedderburn to 1.1.

Tom Campbell was best in front of goal with two majors.

This Saturday

LODDON HERALD TIPS

Nullawil v Birchip Watchem

Sea Lake Nandaly v Boort

Charlton v Wedderburn

Wycheproof Narraport v Donald St Arnaud bye

Life gets tougher on the road for Pies

A SECOND week on the road for Loddon sides will yield mixed fortunes in this Saturday’s North Central round.

From being pitted against the second top side one week, Boort now squares off against the undefeated Sea Lake Nandaly.

The Tigers have already amassed a percentage that shades the other eight clubs thanks to a strident defence, creative midfield and options in the forward zone.

Even if Billy McInnes has a quiet day around goals, there are still Will Simpson and Joshua Jenkins ready to slot through six-pointers.

Seniors

GOALS - Nullawil: N. Grigg, A. Thomson, A. Oberdorfer 3, A. Casey 2, D. Isbister, J. Bamford, J. Humphreys. Boort: J. Fitzpatrick 3, T. Potter 2. BEST - Nullawil: P. Kelly, A. Thomson, A. Casey, Z. Caccaviello, D. Putt, J. Humphreys. Boort: K. Wilson, J. Fitzpatrick, N. Twigg, J. Lanyon, R. McGhie, J. Starr.

GOALS - Charlton: N. Thompson 3, C. Gavaghan 2, A. Walklate, M. Heenan, J. Cowling. Donald: S. Dunstan 8, H. Geddes, T. Grant, R. Young 2, B. Grant, S. Dinnell, R. O’Shannessy, R. Bath.

BEST - Charlton: J. Thompson, J. Cowling, N. Thompson, R. Woods, C. Gavaghan, M. Heenan. Donald: C. Lynch, R. O’Shannessy, S. Dunstan, R. Young, B. Grant, J. Wallin.

6.4 (40)

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Jenkins 6, T. Cox 4, B. McInnes, J. Bath, T. Mckenzie, C. Cox, W. Simpson, B. Delmenico, W. Donnan. Wedderburn: T. Campbell 2, S. Barnes, D. Benaim, J. Rosengren, J. Lockhart.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: L. Martin, T. Cox, T. Donnan, R. Osullivan, K. Donnan, T. McKenzie. Wedderburn: J. Lockhart, I. Holt, J. DeAraugo, S. Lockhart, J. Rosengren, J. Jones.

(30)

Birchip Watchem 2.9 12.11 16.14 19.20 (134)

GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Tillig, J. Male, J. Hicks, A. Bourke. Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 5, N. Gordon 4, D. Batarilo, N. Rippon 2, S. Simmons, J. Reid, D. Reid, L. Foott, D. Castellano, M. Rippon.

BEST - St Arnaud: D. Baldock, W. Bertalli, H. Durward, N. Birthisel, K. Torney, B. Organ. Birchip Watchem: S. Simmons, M. Rippon, N. Rippon, J. Builder, D. Batarilo, L. Ryan

Reserves

Boort’s defence has often been the hope this season, part of the reason the Pies outclassed Sea Lake in the first term when they met in the opening round when the final margin was just 25 points.

That was a close call in the wet under lights but the Tigers are a more strengthened outfit two months later and will be prepared for every challenge the Pies put up.

Wedderburn, last week’s prey for the Tigers, should bounce back with a solid win over Charlton.

The Blues put in perhaps their best showing in another tough season, only going down by 60 points to Donald last

Saturday. Playing at home, the Blues will give Wedderburn moments of angst.

Depending on playing availability however, the Redbacks are well placed to replicate the solid opening round win.

Campbell, Barnes and Benaim were key in front of goal back in April at Donaldson Park.

They have been among the more consistent Redbacks since the season opening and should again have a big say on the final score line this Saturday.

Do not be surprised if this match offers up a tight, entertaining first half before the Redbacks roll onto a good percentage boosting win.

Memo Mean Machine: beware lacklustre style

THE 2023 Loddon Valley journey for Bridgewater is popping up challenges and frustrations.

The Mean Machine was challenged beyond expectation by Mitiamo last week and on Saturday they face the frustrating Maiden Gully with a lacklustre game style that has caught other teams out this season.

It’s not that the Eagles are showing hints of a late-season surge - just three behinds against fellow league switch pitch club Marong dashes that thoughtbut they have been a niggle against some sides above and below them on the ladder.

Bridgewater coach Rick Ladson will need to have his team focused on a direct game plan against the Eagles.

Experienced hands in Collins, Martyn and Donegan will be vital to guiding emerging youngsters like Wood to not fall for Maiden Gully’s doodle style of play around the ground.

Inglewood, showing great maturity in the thriller against Bears Lagoon Serpentine, has the likely mission impossible on Saturday against Marong.

The Blues and the Bears are the only clubs to have matched for a quarter against Marong this season.

Inglewood actually had the Malone Park Panthers stunned for almost two quarters earlier in the season.

It’s hard to see Marong being knocked off on the scoreboard just yet but Inglewood has the potential to again take the game up to the reigning premiers and perhaps just avoid a blowout.

Newbridge is home against Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the flood recovery round.

The Maroons will be after another win, a struggle perhaps against the Bears even though they may be without midfielder Darcy Poulter with an injured knee.

Pyramid Hill comes back from the long break against Calivil.

The trip to Mitchell Park will be tough for Calivil with the Bulldogs having too much class and strength.

GOALS - Nullawil: M. Poyner 4, J. Taylor 2. Boort: N. McNally 2, J. Mulquiny, E. Coleman, W. Toose. BEST - Nullawil: J. Taylor, D. Kelly, M. Poyner, S. Kelly, L. Braine, M. Hogan. Boort: J. Kerr, M. Hodoras, J. Kane, N. McNally, A. Jackson, J. Hall

- St Arnaud: B. Williams, Z. Bigmore, C. Campbell. Birchip Watchem: J. Goldsmith, T. Colbert, C. Goode 3, R. Doran, A. Noonan 2, K. Leith. BEST - St Arnaud: C. Snell, S. Elliott, E. Swanton, A. Craddock, C. Campbell, D. Bridgeman. Birchip Watchem: J. Goldsmith, R. Doran, A. Noonan, T. Colbert, L. Randall. Charlton

(55)

(19)

GOALS - Charlton: J. McGrath 5, H. Sait, P. Sanderson, A. Johnstone. Donald: B. Dixon, M. Donnellon. BEST - Charlton: J. Zagame, D. Whykes, T. Catherine, J. McGrath, B. Sexton, L. Holmes-Brown. Donald: G. Beckham, C. Anderson, J. Talty, B. Burke, J. Heslop, H. Connolly.

(183)

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: B. Poulton 9, J. Clohesy 5, N. Wight 4, L. McClelland 3, C. Noonan, J. Trewick, C. Tait, C. Michael, R. McClelland, D. Bailey.

- Sea Lake Nandaly: W. Conlan, C. Michael, J. Donnan, L. McClelland, B. Poulton, J. Trewick. Wedderburn: C. Lang, B. Collins, S. Carroll, F. Turnbull, C. Cunningham, L. Price.

Bears get grip on points

BY CHRIS EARL

BEARS Lagoon Serpentine has stamped itself as a legitimate top three contender in the 2023 Loddon Valley race for finals actions.

Saturday’s gritty 10-point victory over Inglewood had its turning point in the final 10 minutes of the third quarter.

The Bears chipped away at a 12-point deficit at the main break and hit the lead when Andrew Gladman bagged the third of his four goals of the day.

Nash Kent and James Bailey joined the goal surge followed by a strong wind-assisted roost by Ryan Prendergast, leaving the Blues flat.

Serpentine coach Justin Laird then took his growling Bears out to a 35-point lead at the final break with another snap.

Inglewood had dominated the game in the first half - the second term was full of champagne football only soured by a couple of goals late in the quarter for Serpentine - and needed to quickly refocus and use the wind assistance to advantage in the last 30 minutes of play.

Captain’s goals from Charlie Ingham quickly put spark into the game that was taking on all the hallmarks of a classic finals encounter.

Gabe Nevins was putting in his best senior game of the season, popping up in defence and in the forward zone.

A solid turnover in the midfield saw the ball propelled towards Dorevitch who took a stunning one-hand mark centimetres from the ground and goaled to bridge the margin to 14 points.

The Blues were peppering their forward line, an erratic wind sending kicks for goal the wrong side of the posts.

Serpentine’s midfield tightened but then suddenly, Dorevitch found an opening, kicked to Keelan Payne and the margin was just seven points.

Inglewood kept going deep but Serpentine had loose men on the last line of defence for a series of chip kicks before heading to its Kerang end goals. The Bears got the margin back out to 12 points when ruckman Aidan Brohm, kicked truly on his way to be named the side’s best. Intensity levels were high, umpires constantly breaking up packs to get the game flowing and just awarding frees to both teams in crucial parts of the ground. The final minutes saw more behinds scored, Inglewood still needing two goals when the siren sounded.

Andrew Gladman was key to the thrilling victory for Serpentine. Besides his four goals, the Bears’ veteran set up clever passages of play in the forward zone that were converted to scores by teammates. There was a fighting spirit not seen for decades in the Blues. The continued improvement of Nevins and Jayden Leach this season has added to the depth and versatility being cultivated by coach Darrell Billett.

Inglewood and Serpentine finished with equal scoring shots. They shared honours around the ground in a great tussle. It was only on the scoreboard that Serpentine achieved an edge.

With wins of 13 points and now 10 points over Inglewood, Serpentine has cemented itself in third spot on the ladder.

There’s a fair chance these two will meet in the finals. On Saturday, there were the signs of a classic encounter coming up in August.

“Yes, we’ve come a long way but there’s still a long way to go,” Billett said after the match.