North Central, Central Murray, Gippsland: Nullawil, Balranald and Wonthaggi with shot at grand final glory

Nullawil has made the North Central league grand final in its first season in the competition. Read about all the country footy finals action here.

Nullawil has the chance to repeat five previous occasions when it won flags in the first year playing in a new competition when it plays Sea Lake-Nandaly in the North Central league grand final at Boort on Saturday.

Nullawil charged into the grand final by beating reigning premier Birchip-Watchem in the preliminary final by 13 points.

Two goals to Gol Gol recruit Adam Thomson and singles to Andrew Oberdorfer and Mitch Farmer in the last term sealed victory.

Nullawil’s Andrew Oberdorfer kicked an important last quarter goal in the North Central preliminary final on Saturday. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Nullawil also had a dominant midfield led by David Isbister, Matt Quigley and Dean Smith in the win against Birchip-Watchem, which named Feeny Medal winner Nick Rippon as its best player.

Nullawil won the Southern Mallee premiership in 1979 after the Tyrrell league was disbanded the previous season and it also won the Golden Rivers league flag in 1998 after playing in the Mallee league 12 months earlier.

Between 1926 and 1937, Nullawil also won premierships in the first season in a new league three times.

Nullawil is coached by Brett Barker, who led the team to the flag last year, but has been sidelined due to an early season knee injury.

It has made the grand final from the elimination final, but faces a massive test against unbeaten Sea Lake-Nandaly whose star forward Josh Jenkins kicked nine goals in the second semi-final.

CENTRAL MURRAY

Balranald has set up a shot at its first flag since 2006 with Jydon Neagle one win away from emulating the feat of his late father, Merv, in being a premiership coach of the club.

It brought reigning premier Kerang’s undefeated run to an end in the second semi-final with a 50-point demolition on Saturday.

Balranald stormed home with five goals to one in the final term after Kerang had made a charge in the third quarter.

Balranald coach Jydon Neagle has led the club into the Central Murray league grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

But two important goals to Jydon Neagle turned momentum back Balranald’s way.

His younger brother Matthew was a star in the midfield with Drew Lloyd kicking four goals in the first half and Ben Fuller booting the bulk of his four goals in the second half.

Kobe Lloyd also starred for Balranald, which hasn’t won a final since the 2006 premiership and went close to folding five years ago.

Balranald was without Nathan Ablett due to injury and is in contention to return for the grand final.

Kerang meets Nyah Nyah West United in the preliminary final on Saturday.

GIPPSLAND

Wonthaggi Power will make only its second appearance in a Gippsland league grand final after beating reigning premier Leongatha by 22 points in the second semi-final on Saturday.

Twelve months ago Wonthaggi lost to Leongatha in the corresponding match by four points and was beaten in the preliminary final by Sale seven days later.

Former Collingwood player Isaac Chugg, left, starred in Wonthaggi’s second semi-final win over Leongatha. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wonthaggi lost the 2014 grand final to Morwell, but is perfectly placed to win under the coaching of 2010 Collingwood player and home grown star, Jarryd Blair.

Another former Collingwood player, Isaac Chugg, starred for Wonthaggi on Saturday.

Leongatha plays Moe in the preliminary final after Moe ended Traralgon’s season.