READ MORE - Demons lose by four points last week; win by four points this week

BIRCHIP-Watchem has loosened Sea Lake Nandaly's stranglehold on the North Central league after inflicting the Tigers' first loss of the season on Saturday.

Goals were at a premium as the competition's two power sides that are on a finals collision course combined for just 11, with the Bulls grinding out a hard-fought 6.9 (45) to 5.5 (35) victory in windy conditions.

Playing on their home ground, the Tigers had gone into the keenly-anticipated clash 11-0 with an average winning margin of 86 points and having beaten the Bulls by 46 points in their round five meeting.

Only once before Saturday had the Tigers trailed at a break this season, and that was by four points at half-time against Donald the previous round.

But on Saturday it was the Bulls who held sway all game, leading by 13 points at quarter-time, eight at half-time and 17 at three quarter-time before the final margin of 10 points in what was a high-pressure contest played in front of a big crowd.

With coach and star ruckman Lochlan Sirett overseas, the Bulls were led by assistant Jack Griffiths.

Birchip-Watchem's best players were headed by Jacob Christie on a wing and the duo of Riley Hogan and in-form Nathan Gordon, who both played a mix of forward, wing and midfield.

The Bulls have now won seven in a row and done so conceding scores of just 35, 40, 22, 26, 40, 43 and 10.

The Tigers were best served by on-baller Luke Martin, Alex Pollock and midfielder Brodie Adcock.

Both teams are now 11-1, but the Tigers retain top spot courtesy of their superior percentage of a monster 308.7 to the Bulls' 263.4.

* Wedderburn squared its ledger at 6-6 after accounting for Wycheproof-Narraport by 68 points at home.

The Redbacks flew out of the blocks, kicking seven goals to none in the first quarter on the way to their 17.14 (116) to 6.12 (48) victory.

Warhorse Ben DeAraugo continues to provide a strong focal point, kicking another five goals to now have 29 in the seven games since the Redbacks lost Sam Barnes to an eye injury.

As well as DeAraugo's five the Redbacks also had Corey Lowry (three), Tom Campbell (two), Marc Reiffel (two) and Adam Postle (two) as multiple goalkickers.

On-baller Luke Holt and Jackson Guan, who is in superb form off half-back, were the Redbacks' best.

The Demons had good contributors in centre half-back Daniel Fynch and wingman Dane McLennan.

* Charlton defeated St Arnaud in another game decided by 68 points.

The Saints could muster just two goals from their 13 scoring shots as they were beaten 13.13 (91) to 2.11 (23).

Jack Landrigan (three goals) was the best for the Navies, who also had ruckman Mitchell Gleeson continue his hot form.

Despite battling at 4-8, the Saints have the competition's leading goalkicker in forward recruit Thomas Eltringham, who kicked one to take his season tally to 47.

* Donald defeated Boort by 86 points to maintain its one-game buffer inside the top four.

Inaccuracy cost the Royals a bigger margin as they won 13.23 (101) to 2.3 (15).

Coach Patrick Purcell and utility James Wall led the way for the Royals, who had Josh Potter and Seamus Young kick three goals apiece.

Centre half-back Keiren Wilson again battled hard for the Magpies, whose overall losing streak has now hit 20.

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