North Central: Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport to meet in last round

Nullawil is still in contention to play finals but merger partner Wycheproof-Narraport isn’t - and there is plenty at stake in their final round clash.

Nullawil’s chances of playing finals in its final season as a stand-alone club could rely on having to beat merger partner Wycheproof-Narraport in the North Central league final round.

The last match between the two clubs will be played at Nullawil on August 17 with the run to finals starting in earnest on Saturday when Nullawil plays Boort.

After making the grand final in its North Central debut year and going into the 2024 season among the flag contenders, Nullawil is sitting outside the top-four, two points behind fourth-placed Wedderburn.

Birchip-Watchem, Sea Lake-Nandaly and Donald will definitely play finals as they can’t be budged from their present positions inside the top-four.

Wedderburn plays Birchip-Watchem on Saturday after the two teams played a draw when they last met on June 1.

Merger partners Wycheproof-Narraport and Nullawil will meet in the last round of the season at Nullawil. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Nullawil and Wedderburn play in the second last round with fourth spot expected to be still up for grabs in the final home and away match.

“The last three games are massive,” Nullawil coach Daryl Wilson said.

“They are winnable games against teams in and around us on the ladder.

“We’ve just got to keep winning and put the pressure back on other clubs.

“We had our opportunity against Sea Lake and didn’t take it.

“We’ve had some pretty strong performances bar one when we played Birchip and they got hold of us."

Despite thrashing Nullawil by 58 points on June 15, Wycheproof-Narraport is out of finals contention.

Wycheproof and Narraport merged in 1964 and won 19 flags.

Nullawil won seven flags in the Golden Rivers league between 1998 and 2022 before joining the North Central league.

Nullawil’s Billy Forrester. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Nullawil has battled to get its best team consistently playing with recruits Matthew Wade, Hunter Lawrence, Peter Faulks and Jack Exell missing chunks of the season due to injury.

Collingwood premiership forward Travis Cloke needs to play one more match to qualify for finals with his development coaching role at Essendon his priority.

He will need to play this round or next as Essendon travels to Brisbane for the last round.

Nullawil wants as many former players, supporters, officials and volunteers to attend the last home game.

“It’s impossible to get invites out to everyone because we’ve had so many players over the years,” former club president Brett Barker said.

“It’s the end of an era and very sad actually.

“But we’ve got to look forward to the merger at the end of this year.”

Originally published as North Central: Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport to meet in last round