FOR many years the question has been asked among the Mallee wheatbelt district – are Nullawil good enough to compete in the stronger North Central competition?
At 5pm Saturday, there was a resounding answer, with the NCFL’s newest side declaring themselves as a force to be reckoned with, 41-point winners over reigning premiers Birchip-Watchem.
The Maroons jumped out of the blocks, kicking four unanswered goals in the opening term to blow the game open from the start, before powering on to record a comfortable 12.11 (83) to 5.12 (42) victory.
Nullawil coach Brett Barker was more than pleased with the result, telling The Guardian post-match the win not only validated the club’s decision to move, but also confirmed to players that they will be more than competitive despite the tougher competition.
“It was a really big build-up, not just the last four or five months since we found out we’d be playing Birchip in round 1, but the last two years for our club, and we’re obviously really happy with the outcome,” Barker said.
“Our midfield was probably where we won the game I felt – Dean Putt was excellent in the ruck against a quality opponent in Lochlan Sirett and he played an amazing game, while Daniel Watts and Dean Smith were amazing in the midfield as well.
“It’s hard to take much away from the match because it was so wet, but I think when the two teams meet again, it will be a much tougher contest.”
While Putt and Sirett’s battle in the ruck was the highlight of the day, so to was the performance of Nullawil’s Jordan Humphreys in curtailing the influence of Nathan Gordon.
Matt Quigley was another key contributor for the Maroons, with his run and carry off half back setting up many attacking entries, while Zac Caccaviello filled the hole vacated by the suspension of Andrew Oberdorfer and was also among the Maroons’ better players.
For Birchip-Watchem, full-back Jos Builder was a clear best on ground, with his ability to rebound and create out of defence, while simultaneously shutting down both Nicholas Grigg and Mitch Farmer at times, was vital in keeping the Bulls in the contest.
Nick Rippon was another key contributor for the home side through the midfield, while Joseph Reid off half back and Dale Hinkley, Ben Edwards and Sirett were also named in the Bulls’ bests.
Sea Lake Nandaly may have been without star recruits Josh Jenkins and Josh Gibson, but it mattered little as the Tigers opened their season with a hard-fought 25-point win over Boort under lights at Boort Park.
While the Magpies held a five-point lead at the first break, their advantage didn’t last long, as Sea Lake Nandaly held the home side scoreless for the next 60 minutes of play.
By the time the final term started, the momentum was all with the Tigers, the visitors starting their season with a 7.10 (52) to 4.3 (27) victory.
The upset of the weekend belonged to Wycheproof-Narraport, with the Demons upsetting last year’s grand finalists Donald by 13 points.
Wycheproof-Narraport jumped out of the blocks with a four goal to one opening quarter to stun the Royal Blues into action in the second quarter.
With conditions worsening in the second half, the match descended into an arm wrestle – a battle that was ultimately won by the Demons, with Cody Green’s three-goal performance leading the Demons to a 7.7 (49) to 5.6 (36) upset.
Wedderburn recorded a comfortable 71-point win over last year’s wooden spooners Charlton – 16.12 (108) to 4.13 (37).
Despite a slow start, the Redbacks eventually found their groove, with Tom Campbell booting five goals and Sam Barnes three to put Wedderburn atop of the North Central ladder.
