NULLAWIL confirmed their North Central finals credentials at the weekend, with a comfortable 57-point win over the in-form Wycheproof-Narraport.
It was the first time the neighbouring clubs have met in 70 years, after Narraport left the now defunct Tyrrell Football League in 1953.
But the Maroons will now have bragging rights until the teams meet again in round 15, especially after Nullawil leapt above the Demons into second place on the North Central ladder.
In a season where very little separates the top six teams, the Maroons’ 16.7 (103) to 7.4 (46) win could well prove to be vital in the run towards September, according to Nullawil coach Brett Barker.
“Even though there was a bit of outside noise and expectation with it being the first time the two clubs had played against each other for years, we just tried to make it another game, even though it was an important game for our season,” Barker said.
“Regardless of the rivalry between the towns themselves, it was a big win for us because they’ve been really good all year and we didn’t know what to expect from them.
“But I felt we played really well and were at close to our best for much of the game.”
The win was set up by an impressive first half, with Nullawil opening up a 32-point lead and the Demons kept to just two goals.
It didn’t get much better for Wycheproof-Narraport, with Andrew Oberdorfer taking hold of the match in the third term with three goals and numerous contested marks to ensure there would be no comeback.
“I thought our run out of our backline was our biggest strength, Jordy Humphreys and Pat Kelly across half-back were fantastic with their ability to break the lines and run through the midfield,” Barker said.
“Dean Putt in the ruck was quite dominant as well, he’s had an amazing season so far and he continued that again on the weekend.”
Josh Walsh, Jack McHutchison and the Hommelhoff brothers, Gedd and Koby, were among the Demons’ better players, while Jonathan Casey, Daniel Watts and Mitch Farmer could also be well pleased with their afternoon’s work for Nullawil.
The news wasn’t all good for the Maroons however, with Matt Quigley injuring his hamstring, placing the dashing midfielder-half back in danger of missing this Saturday’s meeting with Donald.
The Royal Blues accounted for lowly St Arnaud by 78 points, jumping out of the blocks with a 10 goals to one first half, before winning 15.14 (104) to 3.8 (26).
Sam Dunstan returned to form with a nine-goal haul for Donald, who were well served by Chris Lynch, Trent Grant and Hayden Geddes.
In the closest match of the round, reigning premiers Birchip-Watchem defeated Wedderburn by 41 points at Donaldson Park, with Nathan Gordon leading the way with six goals.
Birchip-Watchem were never troubled by the Redbacks on the scoreboard, despite the home side being competitive with their attack on the ball in the 17.9 (111) to 10.10 (70) loss.
It was all one-way traffic when unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly easily accounted for Charlton by 109 points.
Will Simpson’s six goals and five from joint coach Jordy McInnes was more than enough to take care of the Navies in the 21.16 (142) to 5.3 (33) result, with Wade and Kane Donnan named as the Tigers’ better players.
