It was a big day at Sea Lake on Saturday with Nullawil meeting the Tigers on their home turf, in the much-anticipated grand final replay.
The former Tyrrell and Mallee Football League rivals met in a Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers vs Nullawil grand final in both the seniors and reserves. The Tigers had been the bench mark in the competition and took home the 2023 seniors and reserves Premiership Cups against North Central League “newbies”, Nullawil.
Round 5 was North-Central “Pink” round raising awareness of breast cancer and raising funds for the Breast Cancer Network. Sea Lake-Nandaly senior and reserves footballers were donning pink socks and A/B/C/C-Res netballers wore pink socks and bibs. There was a touch of pink around the grounds, money tins to help raise funds, and many spectators also wore some pink.
The Tigers took time on Saturday to remember Billy McClelland, who tragically lost his life at the end of last year. A guard of honour was formed by the under-14 and under-17 footballers, netballers and supporters. His family was welcomed out on to the ground for a minute of silence and a jumper presentation. Footballers were encouraged to wear an orange armband, and netballers some orange ribbon.
Nandaly Football Club also held a 50-year premiership reunion, with members of the Nullawil community invited. Nandaly 18.10 defeated Nullawil 17.14 in the 1974 grand final at Sea Lake, breaking a premiership run for Nullawil. It was a successful era for the Nullawil Football Club, which made 10 consecutive grand final appearances and won premierships in 9 out of 10 years from 1971-1980 Tyrrell and Southern Mallee Football League.
Seniors
The much-anticipated grand final replay was played in perfect conditions after showers earlier in the day. Nullawil went into the game with some renewed confidence after recording its first win for the season last week when it defeated St Arnaud by 72 points. Birchip-Watchem last week broke a 21-game winning streak for Sea Lake-Nandaly seniors with a 13- point victory in the round 4 game. The Tigers have had a recent run of injuries to key players, but big forward Josh Jenkins travelled back for the game.
The Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers got the better of the first quarter with Josh Jenkins showing he was a dangerous forward. The Tigers had a 2- goal lead at quarter-time. Sea Lake-Nandaly 3.2.20 to Nullawil 1.2.8.
The second quarter was played in stages with Sea Lake starting well and kicking goals for a handy lead. Nullawil fought back and almost evened up the scoreboard, until the Tigers replied. Both added 4 goals 2 points to their score for the quarter. At the main break, it was Sea Lake-Nandaly 7.4.46 to Nullawil 5.4.34.
The third quarter was similar with neither team able to break away. With Dean Putt in the ruck and Matthew Wade and David Isbister giving lots of drive for Nullawil, it was again an even quarter 3.4 to 3.3. At the three-quarter break, it was Sea Lake-Nandaly 10.8.68 to Nullawil 8.7.55.
The last quarter started with Nullawil needing to be at its best if it was to catch the Tigers. However, Sea Lake-Nandaly was a lot more effective with its ball use and was able to get away and kick 5 to 2 in the final quarter and take the 4 points.
Sea Lake-Nandaly 15.9.99 defeated Nullawil 10.11.71.
At the conclusion of the game, the Winner’s Shield was presented to the Tigers’ Ryan O’Sullivan. Best player medallions were presented to Joshua Jenkins from Sea Lake-Nandaly and Dean Putt from Nullawil.
Nullawil best: Dean Putt, Matthew Wade, Lucas Caccaviello, David Isbister, Jack Exell, Matt Quigley.
Goals: Jack Exell 3, Mitch Farmer 3, Nicholas Grigg 1, Nicholas Keogh 1, David Isbister 1, Adam Thomson 1.
Sea Lake-Nandaly best: Joshua Jenkins, Luke Martin, Lachy McClelland, Max Cahoon, Wade Donnan, Chase Tait.
Goals: Joshua Jenkins 9, Billy McInnes 2, Adam Pattison 1, Thomas Cox 1, Tyson McKenzie 1, Wade Donnan 1.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 14 May 2024.
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