IN terms of how the 2025 North Central Football League is shaping up, Sea Lake Nandaly’s 11 point win over Boort could not have come at a more perfect time for the Tigers.
The 10.11 (71) to 8.12 (60) score brings the reigning premiers closer to second place, as they sit one game behind Calder United and Boort, who both remain on 32 points.
At the start of the contest, it was Boort that got the first goal on the scoreboard, kicked by none-other than Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, kicking his first of four goals for the Magpies.
But it was Pattison and Cahoon who kicked two goals each to buffer the Tigers up to a 19 point lead by quarter time.
Baddeley-Kelly was having none of it during the second quarter, bagging two goals to bring Boort back into the lead.
Trent Donnan would kick his first goal of the contest late into the second quarter to get the lead back as Sea Lake Nandaly would lead by a single point at half-time.
The Tigers took advantage on the third quarter, as they kicked three unanswered goals to lead by 16 points with one more quarter to be played.
Boort refused to give up, Baddeley-Kelly kicked his fourth of the contest at the start of the final, along with Kayne Rutley kicking his second goal to bring the game to four points.
But it was the Tigers co-coach of Bryce Delmenico who kicked two goals in the final term to win the game for Sea Lake Nandaly.
“It was a fantastic win, the match was a pretty tight contest, I felt like the game opened up for both sides at times,” Delmenico told The Guardian on Sunday.
“The win showed a lot of character from our playing, as we had a lot of players that were missing due to injuries.
“It was a great mix of players who hit up the scoreboard on the day.
“That pretty much comes down to basically playing for each other and not just having one main avenue to score our goals.”
Delmenico was also asked on whether there was any game plan to take on Baddeley-Kelly.
“No, there was no particular game plan to try and prevent him from hitting the scoreboard,” Delmenico.
“He is a very classy footballer but we had full faith on our back six as a unit to get the job done on all of Boort’s forward liners.”
After the league bye, the Tigers will be going up to St Arnaud to face the Saints.
“I’m hoping we will have a few back from injury for the upcoming match,” Delmenico said.
Across the grounds, it was St Arnaud that got the better of Donald as they won by 29 points at the Donald Recreation Reserve.
The 5.5 (35) to 8.16 (64) result gives St Arnaud their second win of the season, as they continue to look towards getting more points on the board.
It was the Saints who took full control from the very first bounce, as they lead by 18 points at quarter time.
They continued that performance in the second quarter, leading by 27 points at half-time, however it could have been more if it wasn’t for the accuracy.
The lack of accuracy continued throughout the second quarter, but the lead was raised to 37 points with one last quarter to be played.
Donald managed to kick three goals in the final term, but it wasn’t enough as the Saints held onto their lead.
For the Royal Blues, after the league bye, they will be facing Charlton for the Bunters Cup.
Over in Charlton, it was the eleventh instalment of the Woosang Challenge, held annually between the Navies and Wedderburn.
It was the Redbacks that got the better of Charlton, winning by 112 points.
Mitch Jensen got things underway for Wedderburn as he kicked the first goal of the match, six minutes in.
It was low scoring contest for some time, but the Redbacks would kick three goals late into the first quarter to lead by 28 points.
Liam O’Keefe got the first goal for Charlton in the second quarter, but it was all Wedderburn afterwards, as they led by 85 points by half-time.
Jensen was incredible, kicking six goals in the first half, he was unstoppable and that impressive run would continue for the second half.
He would bag four more goals in the second half, and the Redbacks would cruise to victory, with the final score being 5.4 (34) to 21.20 (146).
Wedderburn would regain the Woosang Challenge Shield and it was none-other than Mitch Jensen who got himself the Best on Ground award.
The Redbacks will be hosting a huge contest after the bye, as they will be taking on Ash Connick’s undefeated Birchip-Watchem Bulls.
In the final match of round 11, it was Birchip-Watchem that got the better of Calder United, bringing the winning streak to eleven consecutive matches for the Bulls.
At the start of the contest, it was Calder United who got the first goal, thanks to Steven Kennedy.
But Birchip-Watchem would kick three goals straight after and led by two goals at fifth minute mark.
The Lions took back the lead late in the first quarter and only had a one point difference to the Bulls.
Birchip-Watchem took full advantage in the second quarter, kicking six unanswered goals and leading by 36 points at half-time.
Pearce kicked two goals early in the third term, cutting the lead down to just four goals.
The lead would extend back to 32 points with one final term to go.
Christie and Conboy both kicked a goal to start the final quarter and that was all she wrote, the Lions couldn’t find a way to fight back with the final score being 9.9 (63) to 15.15 (105).
Calder United will be on the road to take on Boort, whoever wins that game will get second place after the league bye.
