Sport
18 July, 2026
Redbacks remain top of table
The Redbacks took a good 15 minutes to get its game plan settled before two quick goals from Tyler Curtis flipped the scoreboard in their favour.
WEDDERBURN remains undefeated in North Central football after asserting its dominance over Birchip Watchem in a wind-assisted opening term at Donaldson Park on Saturday.
The Redbacks took a good 15 minutes to get its game plan settled before two quick goals from Tyler Curtis flipped the scoreboard in their favour.
The Redbacks had been sluggish on the scoreboard and around the slippery ground as Birchip muscled the ball to the town end against the wind.
Joseph Madio punished Wedderburn’s early inaccuracy, breaking from in the midfield and putting the Bulls in front.
The success of Wedderburn last Saturday was down to every player – no passengers, all committed and every one engaging in battle against a side that will cause at least moments of grief to opponents in the second half of the season.
But Jayden Jones across the midfield field was a standout as were Jayden Jones, Zach Pallpratt, Isaac Holt and Hamish Lockhart. And coach Tom Metherell continued to have a big say in winning the ball across half-back and creating dynamic passages of play.
The Bulls did not capitulate as other clubs have against the might of the Redbacks this season. Meyrick Buchanan snapped in the opening quarter for the first of his three goals for the day and a performance that earned him top spot on the Bulls’ best player list.
Wedderburn took charge in the final 10 minutes with five unanswered goals, the snap by Zach Pallpratt full of style.
Birchip’s defenders struggled against the onslaught as Wedderburn made the most of the wind advantage. Heath Smith was the one thorn who didn’t surrender. Early second term goals to Danny Benaim and Pallpratt with another snap helped the Redbacks’ minimise any wind advantage for Birchip.
Oscar Holt chipped in with Wedderburn’s second goal of the quarter but honours on the scoreboard went to Birchip after a late goal off the boot of Buchanan. The slog continued after the main break when Birchip tested the game plan of the home side. Every test saw Wedderburn rise – from Pallpratt’s second goal and Jye Mortlock’s strong marks around half forward.
The Bulls had better luck on the scoreboard and it was not until the 21-minute mark that Wedderburn had a major. Lachie Raymond broke the drought, soon followed by Mitchell McEwen capping off the upfield work of Hamish Lockhart.
Again, it was a late goal to Birchip that added some respectability to the Bulls’ scoreline.
Jones, Corey Lowry, Lockhart and coach Metherell had been constants for three quarters and showed no signs of wavering in their commitment to getting the job done in the final 25 minutes of play.
Lockhart skewed the ball from the boundary into Mortlock’s safe hands to goal in the opening minute and continue a frustrating afternoon for the Bulls.
Read More: Wedderburn, Birchip