REIGNING premiers Sea Lake Nandaly have extended their winning streak to 20 games, defeating a determined Wedderburn by 16 points.
But the 12.9 (81) to 9.11 (65) result came at a cost for the Tigers, who have three key players all set to spend significant time on the sidelines.
The seasons of Joel Donnan (Achilles injury) and John Summerhayes (knee) seasons appear over after going down during the match, while Brodie Adcock should miss several matches due to a hamstring injury.
Their absences left the reigning premiers without a bench for the final quarter, making the Tigers’ comeback all the more impressive.
After trailing for much of the first half, Wedderburn hit back with a five-goal-to-two third term, to lead by seven points.
Sea Lake Nandaly co-coach Bryce Delmenico was less than pleased with his side’s performance.
“We had a lot of injuries come out of the day and we did well to get over the top of them, because we didn’t have a bench, but it wasn’t one of our best performances overall,” Delmenico said.
“It was a big positive for the boys to fight as hard as they did and it was good to get the win, but I felt it was probably the worst we’ve played in two years.
“Full credit to Wedderburn, they brought the heat and they’re a lot fitter than in the past few seasons.
“They were getting extra numbers to most contests and then would try and switch the footy on a very consistent basis.
“On our end, we just need to sharpen up with ball in hand, we missed too many easy targets and made too many simple skill errors and a lot of our guys left the contest too early, pre-empting that we were going to win the footy and, when we didn’t, we got found out a little bit.
“But (Wedderburn’s) willingness to work hard was very notable, they were getting to a lot of contests and when they forced a turnover on us, they ran.”
The Redbacks’ half-back line played tight and did not allow the Tigers’ dangerous forward line room to move.
Tom Metherell was instrumental in that role, while Danny Benaim, Jackson McEwen and Jayden Jones were also among Wedderburn’s better players.
Luke Martin and Jack Poulton were damaging off half-back for Sea Lake Nandaly and provided their team with constant run out of defence.
Midfielder Wade Donnan was also influential around the contest, with Thomas Cox, Jackson McMahon and Charlie Cox also adjudged to have been in the home team’s best.
The Tigers will face this week face Wycheproof-Narraport, who secured their first win of the season by 50 points over St Arnaud.
Wycheproof-Narraport only held a 14-point lead at half-time, before holding their opponents scoreless in the third quarter on their way to a 16.10 (106) to 8.8 (56) victory.
Birchip-Watchem sit atop of the North Central ladder after claiming their second win of the season, defeating Donald 15.12 (102) to 4.4 (28).
Ben Edwards led the way for the Bulls with eight goals for the game, with ruckman Hamish Hosking also influential around the stoppages, along with Stefan Pye and Meyrick Buchanan.
Kicking just four goals for the game, the Royal Blues were disappointing and would be hoping for considerable improvement when they Nullawil this Saturday.
Boort got on the board for the new season, defeating Charlton by 45 points.
Ethan Coleman kicked five goals for the Magpies in the 12.9 (81) to 5.6 (36) victory, with Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and Wade Broadstock also among the better players, while Rhyen Woods, Jed Thompson and Sam Woods were the best for the Navies.
