Sport
17 April, 2026
Injury puts Wilson’s season under cloud
BOORT fell to last season’s wooden spooners Donald on Saturday after suffering a brutal injury toll that left the Magpies without a bench in the second half.
Three players were out of the game before half-time – including captain Keiren Wilson with a potentially season-ending shoulder injury after a goal-saving smother.
The toll meant two U17 players, Cooper Gooding and Brodie McPherson, had to play two full games on the day.
Coach Andrew Rutley had warned that injuries would gravely test Boort’s depth, and his fears were realised in round one of the new North Central season.
He was proud of his team’s effort against the odds but rued a first quarter when the Magpies had the benefit of a three- to four-goal wind and could kick only 3.3 to Donald’s 2.1.
Boort was scoreless in the second quarter as the Royal Blues kicked what turned out to be a match-winning four goals.
Despite having no rotations off the bench, the Magpies rallied with six goals to two in the third term, heading into the final quarter with a four-point lead.
But fatigue kicked in and Donald took advantage of the wind to kick 4.3 to 2.1 for the quarter and get home by 10 points.
Boort faces Sea Lake Nandaly next Saturday, which shapes as a massive test of its resilience.
Rutley said the senior team was “going to have to rely on some more kids” to make up the numbers against the Tigers.
There were some shining lights for Boort, with two recruits in Liam Bianco and Danko Bzenic impressing, and Carlos Egan named as the Magpies’ best in a new role off half-back.
WEDDERBURN reaped the rewards of an off-season filled with clever recruiting with a 22-point win over reigning North Central premiers Calder United at Nullawil on Saturday.
The Redbacks missed the finals last season but have been widely tipped to contend for the premiership this year.
Calder United kicked the first goal of the match, but once the Redbacks hit the lead midway through the opening quarter, they adjusted to the tough conditions and didn’t look back.
It was a low-scoring encounter on the coldest day of the year so far and with a fierce wind blowing to one end of the ground.
Metherell said his team found it easier to score against the wind after a first quarter of bombing the ball forward and expecting the elements to do all the work.
“It was an ugly win,” he said.
“We didn’t play to the best of our ability but to come away with the four points against such a strong side was great.”
Co-captain Jackson McEwen, last year’s best and fairest winner, was Wedderburn’s best on the day, with Joe Lockhart and Lachie Raymond also starring.
Boom recruits in ruckman Tyler Curtis, key defender Rory Lehmann and forward Matt Perri played their first games for the Redbacks, with Perri booting four of the team’s 10 goals.
- GARY WALSH
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