North Central: Sea Lake-Nandaly signs Oscar Brownless

The North Central premiers of the past two seasons could be even stronger as they eye a third successive flag.

North Central league reigning premiers Sea Lake-Nandaly is shaping to be even stronger in 2025 with the addition of former Geelong player Oscar Brownless.

Brownless was a 2018 father-son pick by his dad Bill’s former club, but has hardly played since he was delisted by the Cats at the end of 2021.

But he has agreed to play at least eight matches and finals for Sea Lake Nandaly with coaching commitments at Xavier College in the APS competition also this year.

“I thought I had him last year, but he ended up going on the Amazing Race TV show with his old man,” Sea Lake-Nandaly coach Bryce Delmenico said.

“But he’s keen as to come up and have a run.”

Billy and Oscar Brownless took part in The Amazing Race Australia last year.

Brownless played one match for Geelong Amateurs in the Bellarine league last year with Delmenico planning to use him in midfield, wing and half-forward roles.

Sea Lake-Nandaly has beaten Nullawil and Birchip-Watchem in the past two North Central league grand finals with full-forward Josh Jenkins also returning for a shot at the flag hat-trick.

“He doesn’t really have a choice when I’m coaching,” Delmenico said of his brother-in-law and former AFL forward.

It completed back-to-back flags despite a spate of long-term injuries to regular senior players during the year including Joel Donnan, John Summerhayes, Austin Mertz, Matt Elliott and Adam Pattison.

Oscar Brownless training with Geelong in 2021. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Trent Donnan recovered from a broken ankle before the season started to play in the latest flag alongside brother, Wade, who joined Trent as a Feeny Medal winner.

“You’ve just got to keep putting the work in,” Delmenico said.

“Those other sides like Birchip and Calder have a lot of quality and you only need to be off your game by 5 per cent and you get rolled.

“But we’re going to have a good list, but hopefully a healthy list.”
Sea Lake-Nandaly is home to 2024 season surprise packet Wedderburn in the opening match on April 5.

Originally published as North Central: Sea Lake-Nandaly signs Oscar Brownless