North Central: Out-of-contention Wedderburn to host grand final on September 13
Results of last round of matches have confirmed where the North Central league finals will be played. See the venues chosen.
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Wedderburn has been locked in for the North Central league grand final on September 13 after being forced to forego hosting rights for the premiership-deciding match the last two years.
The league has a policy of playing all finals at neutral venues and all finals venues were confirmed after the results of last round.
Birchip will host the first semi-final, Boort the second semi-final and St Arnaud the preliminary final.
North Central operations manager Lance Standfield said the board discussed finals at a meeting last week, but held back on an announcement pending the outcome of the Calder United-Boort clash that Boort lost to drop out of double chance calculations.
“Wedderburn has been due to have the grand final the last two years,” Standfield said.
“They were still building the new facilities in 2023 and they got on a late run in 2024.”
Wedderburn won’t play finals this season after reaching the preliminary final last year.
Donald was the beneficiary of Wedderburn’s late season charge in 2024 and hosted its first grand final in more than a decade.
There are four home and away matches remaining and last year’s runner-up Birchip-Watchem is guaranteed to finish on top.
Calder United is one win clear of reigning premier Sea Lake-Nandaly in second spot, but the double chance and a second semi-final berth could come down to the final round when the two teams play.
Calder United piled on eight goals in the last quarter to beat Boort last Saturday with co-coach Jordan Humphreys finishing with six goals.
Boort plays Birchip-Watchem next round, but should hold onto fourth spot with matches against Wedderburn, St Arnaud and Charlton to complete the home and away season.
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Originally published as North Central: Out-of-contention Wedderburn to host grand final on September 13
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