Grand Final Berth Awaits Winners

(By Shane O’Shea)
Direct entry into North-Central Football’s 2026 grand final awaits the victor of Saturday’s second semi-final between Wedderburn and Sea Lake-Nandaly, to be played at Wycheproof.

For the Redbacks, it has been an extended period of 12 years since they last raised the Halfhide Premiership on grand final day, while the Tigers’ most recent success came in 2024.

And setting the scene for what is expected to be a fiercely contested clash between two of the league’s strongest combinations, both have enjoyed a win over the other during the home-and-away season.

Wedderburn saluted at its Donaldson Park home ground in round 6, completely outplaying its opposition on the day. Sea Lake-Nandaly returned the favour with a 10-goal demolition of the previously undefeated Redbacks in round 13.

With both teams having had last weekend off in the lead-up, the prospect that both the Redbacks and Tigers will be at or near full strength bodes well for a high calibre contest.

Wedderburn could make up to six changes to its round 16 team, with coach Tom Metherall a definite starter. Leading goal kickers Matt Perri and Oscar Holt, Isaac Holt and Joe Lockhart should be fit to play, and overseas traveller Jayden Jones might also come under consideration.

Sea Lake-Nandaly is resigned to the fact that talented on-baller Thomas Cox will be sidelined with a hamstring injury, but will benefit from the return of midfield dynamo Trent Donnan, defenders Robin Nahas, Kane Donnan and Jai Wright, and talented teenager Cruz O’Sullivan.

Defence has been Wedderburn’s strong suit this season, led by Metherall, Rory Lehmann at centre half-back, and Corey Lowry.

In terms of scores against them this season, the Redbacks have conceded the least number of points against (763), ahead of the next best, the Tigers (876).

But when it comes to scoring ability and efficiency, Sea Lake-Nandaly is well ahead, (1896 to 1702), boasting four goal kickers with 24 goals or more to their name, including the competition’s leading scorer, Max Cahoon with
72, Boyd Baily 30, Lachy McClelland 25 and Billy McInness.

In comparison, Matt Perri leads the way for Wedderburn with 30, but hasn’t been able to take the field since round 8 due to a hand injury.

Oscar Holt is next best with 29, followed by ruckman Tyler Curtis 24, Tom Campbell, a late starter with his home club, who has contributed 22 in 8 games.

By far the most important and intense battle for supremacy, however, will be waged in the midfield, where Wedderburn’s ruck combination of Tyler Curtis and Dane Keuken, reigning Feeny Medallist Hamish Lockhart, Zach Pallpratt, the McEwen brothers, Mitch and Jackson, Jye Mortlock and Noah Furlong will lock horns with Sea Lake-Nandaly’s well stocked engine room that includes ruck options Connor Michael and Adam Pattison, Trent and Wade Donnan, Boyd Bailey, Bryce Delmenico and Zac Kelly.

With a multitude of rotation options, the contest will remain red hot from start to finish, with the more compact Wycheproof oval possibly more suited to the Redbacks’ physical game style.

Unless Wedderburn can blanket all of Sea Lake-Nandaly’s scoring options, particularly if the Donnan brothers gain control, the Redbacks may struggle to restrict the Tigers to a losing score.

Sea Lake-Nandaly by 12 points.

Big Test for Tigers
With its senior team also taking the field at Wycheproof, Sea Lake-Nandaly’s reserves team will not benefit from players dropping back and will need to perform at its best to overcome a St Arnaud combination led by midfield powerhouse and reigning reserves “best and fairest”, Kurt Torney and leading goal kicker Jarryd Kell.

Tireless workhorse Simon Elliott and key forward Josh Hicks are others who will need to be kept under control.

But with players of the calibre of Cody Elliott, Brody Weir, Joel Clohesy and Brandon Stadon providing plenty of finals experience, and several up-and-coming future senior players, including Chase Tait, Issac Durie and Tye Griffiths, the Tigers have the foundations on which to build their charge towards a shot at premiership glory.

St Arnaud by 5 points.

Saints to Push Magpies
Last time they met, Boort’s under-17s thumped St Arnaud by over 100 points, but with the inclusion of Jack Butters and Chase Hendy, the young Saints will me much stronger and should push the Magpies every step of the way.

Cooper Gooding, Brodie McPherson and Tommy Evans will be prime movers for Boort in its quest to move straight into the season decider, but are going to need plenty of support from all teammates.

Saints to Remain Undefeated?
St Arnaud under-14s have carried all before them so far this season, and will be very hard to beat on Saturday, particularly if Lewis Lowe, Finn Evans and Pat Zsigmond are on their game.

For Birchip-Watchem to snap the Saints’ run of success, Morgan Greenaway, Oscar Sharp, Archie Tyler and River Ryan will have to take control of the game, and take their teammates with them, making the most of every scoring opportunity.

Redbacks to Show Their Bite
Wedderburn’s “A’ grade netballers are enjoying another very successful season, with tomorrow’s second semi-final opponent Birchip-Watchem all that stands between them and another grand final berth.

With players of the calibre of Holly Lockhart, Olivia Lockhart and Meg Lowry primed and ready to fire, the Bullettes will need to perform at their very best, led by Cheyenne Parsons, Sarah Miller and Beau Haslam, if they are to reverse the result of the most recent meeting between the two teams.

Redbacks and Lions to Progress?
The tempo of North-Central’s hockey finals will step up a notch or two, when Charlton and Wedderburn clash in what is expected to be a very close encounter, while Calder United and St Arnaud face off in the men’s final.

The Redbacks won a high scoring encounter against the Navy Blues earlier this season, but to repeat the result, Chelsea Giorlando and Tahlia Hargreaves will have to be strong contributors throughout, to offset the determined challenge led by Sheena Fitzpatrick and Brooke Thompson.

For Calder United to repeat the outcome of its round 11 meeting with St Arnaud, much will depend on the contributions of Jacob Moresi and Nick Rowley, while for the Saints, Ben Greenaway and Russ Marland will lead what is expected to be a very spirited challenge.