Sport
20 May, 2026
Back after the break
The Bulls have struggled without star goalkicker Ben Edwards this season and have also suffered the disruption of having coach Ash Connick suspended for two weeks for abusing an umpire.
NORTH Central sport resumes after the season’s second bye, with a couple of crucial football matches in prospect.
Last season’s beaten grand finalists Birchip Watchem have just one win after four rounds and host a much-improved St Arnaud side at George Cartwright Oval.
The Saints are 2-2, having beaten Charlton and Donald, but will want to claim a big scalp to stamp themselves as finals contenders.
The Bulls have struggled without star goalkicker Ben Edwards this season and have also suffered the disruption of having coach Ash Connick suspended for two weeks for abusing an umpire.
He is back this week to steer the ship from the sidelines.
It’s approaching crisis time for Birchip Watchem if the Bulls are defeated this weekend, which would see them two games out of the top four.
Wedderburn versus Boort is always a grudge match, with the teams batting for Loddon Shire bragging rights.
Boort has been decimated by injury this year and is winless after making the finals in 2025.
Players are slowly starting to return but the thin playing stocks have the Magpies facing an uphill battle to finish in the top four.
Wedderburn, on the other hand, is flying after four wins on the trot to start the season. The Redbacks haven’t strung together four big quarters yet but have been doing enough to win comfortably over premiers Calder United, Birchip Watchem and Donald while thumping beleaguered Charlton by 153 points.
Sea Lake Nandaly is also undefeated and on top on percentage courtesy of a 242-point win against the Navy Blues.
The Tigers are back in the form that saw them win premierships in 2023-24 and face Donald on Saturday, which has been the surprise packet of the season. The Royal Blues sit 2-2 with wins over Boort and Charlton and fighting efforts against St Arnaud and Wedderburn – a far cry from their winless 2025 season.
Calder United host Charlton and will look for a percentage boost against the Navies, who are battling to be competitive. The Lions’ premiership defence began with a loss to the Redbacks, but they have since steadied with three successive wins.
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