Last year’s finalists in Wycheproof-Narraport and Birchip-Watchem are set down to play at Wycheproof, where the home team will be celebrating fifty years since the amalgamation of the Wycheproof and Narraport Football Clubs. Since the two teams joined forces the combination of these two teams have been North Central Premiers on eighteen occasions out of twenty eight grand final appearances, which is a magnificent record for the two clubs successful merger.
Last year’s Grand Finalists in Wedderburn and St Arnaud meet at Donaldson Park for their rematch which seen Wedderburn take home the Halfhide Cup in 2012, winning by the narrow margin of one point.
Donald, who are celebrating fifty years since they scored their triple premiership’s play host to Charlton in what should be an interesting contest. Both sides missed the finals last year and both team’s off-seasons recruiting has been fruitful with a host of top line recruits joining the Royal and Navy Blue camps for season 2013.
Boort who have dominated the recruiting over the summer months have the bye in round one before taking on Birchip-Watchem in round two.
There has been much talk throughout the league about how all clubs appear to have replenished their playing stocks and look to the challenge to stop the Wedderburn Redbacks from achieving their goal of three premierships in a row. Wedderburn look as though they will again be more than competitive in 2013 and if all clubs live up to their expectations based on their recruiting for this season, then we can be assured we will see some interesting contests throughout the coming season, in what should be a tight fight for a spot in the top four.
This year’s senior coaching appointments: Birchip-Watchem Lachie Foott. Boort Rick Easton, Charlton Reece Collins, Donald Brendan Jennings and Tom Bell, St Arnaud James McNamee, Wedderburn Daniel Gash and Wycheproof-Narraport James Coatsworth.
Juniors
The North Central Football Leagues Board and member clubs have taken the positive step to introducing some changes to the rules in our underage competitions, these rule alterations if introduced may be trialled in 2013.
These changes have been addressed due to the fact that some clubs are having difficulty in fielding the required numbers of players in both the under 13 and under 16’s competitions. Clubs supported the action to have these proposed rule changes investigated,and if successfully voted in would see all clubs being able to field teams in all grades with the assistance of permit players from opposition teams.
Inter-League
This year the North Central Football League travels to Geelong where we will take on the Geelong & District Football League, this match will be played on Saturday May 25 at North Geelong.
The Board of the North Central Football league are proud to announce that former AFL player with North Melbourne Corey Jones has accepted to coach the inter-league in 2013.
The league has advised all clubs that they need their total support and are serious about taking their best team down to Geelong. Any player who does not make himself available for selection without a genuine reason will be suspended from playing for two weeks. This is not the Boards preferred action but they do want to field a strong team. If a player elects not to make himself available, then the Board believe they have no other alternative than to take the action of suspending those who prefer to snub the league’s Worksafe AFL Vic Country Championship match.
Prices for 2013 will again remain the same as 2012 with home and away matches at $8, with all finals to be $12. The weekly football program “The Recorder” will also remain at $3 for all matches including finals.
Urgent Umpires Message
The North Central Umpires Group are urgently looking for persons interested in joining the group, anyone with a general interest in football, been a past player or if you have previously done some umpiring, the group would like to hear from you ASAP.
The NCUG need to have at least 18 umpires available each Saturday and at the present time they look like falling short in covering those appointments.
Any assistance you could offer would be greatly appreciated as they have three grades of football to cover each week, if you believe that you could assist in the underage competitions would be of a great help to the group, if you can help the NCUG contact Darren Clohesy President 0409807059, Andrew Day Secretary 0428501991 or Rod Wilton Director of Umpiring on 0419395813
Last Modified on 02/04/2013 09:32
