BIRCHIP-Watchem has earned a double chance in the North Central league after ending the home and away season in second position.
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The Bulls overtook Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in second spot on Saturday to ensure they will have a finals lifeline as they strive for their first premiership since 2001.
Birchip-Watchem earning the coveted double chance comes after the Bulls had sat outside the top four after 11 rounds.
But they are peaking at the right time, with Saturday’s 15.12 (102) to 5.7 (37) victory over Charlton their fifth in a row – the past four of which have been by at least 10 goals.
The Bulls flew out of the blocks, kicking the opening six goals of the game and by early in the second quarter had already scored more than the Navies did for the match.
Star Bulls’ forward Stephen Paulke booted seven goals, but it wasn’t enough to overhaul Wycheproof-Narraport’s Corey Jones.
With his 68, Jones edged out Paulke (66) by two to win the league goalkicking for the second year in a row.
Paulke, Riley Hogan and Jacob Christie were among the best for the Bulls, who have their first double chance since 2012.
Cody Gunn kicked four goals and Dean McKay was the best for the Navies, who a year after winning the premiership end 2017 second-last on the ladder with a 3-13 record.
• In what had been a clash of 1 v 2 heading into the round, Wycheproof-Narraport thumped Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers by 59 points.
The Tigers started well kicking the opening two goals, but the Demons then reeled off the next seven on the way to a 17.13 (115) to 8.8 (56) win at home to reaffirm why they are the red-hot flag favourites.
Andrew Mead-Harding made his mark with seven goals to be the best for the Demons. With a 14-1-1 record the Demons have finished on top of the ladder for the second year in a row.
Billy McInnes (four goals) was named best for the Tigers, who having sat second for the previous four rounds dropped to third and into the cut-throat first semi-final.
• The Tigers’ first semi-final opponent next Saturday at Wedderburn will be Boort.
The Magpies geared up for their first final since 2011 with a 31-point win over wooden-spooner St Arnaud.
Having trailed by five points at the main break, Boort kicked 11 goals to five after half-time to win 18.11 (119) to 13.10 (88) at St Arnaud, with Duncan Trethowan and coach Corey Gregg (two goals) their two best.
Rohan Nolan and Jack Smith each kicked four goals for the winners.
The Saints end the season on the bottom of the ladder with a 1-15 record and having lost 10 games in a row.
Harley Durward battled hard for the Saints, along with Daniel London, who won the club’s best and fairest on Saturday night.
• Donald rounded out its season with a 15-point victory at home over Wedderburn – 11.17 (83) to 9.14 (68) – in a clash between two non-finals teams.
