Sport
30 May, 2026
SEASON DEFINING
BOORT’S senior football team faces a season-defining month after a winless start to the North Central season. The Magpies finished fourth last year, but a brutal injury list and the loss of key players have left the team languishing in seventh place on the ladder. Despite a heavy loss to fierce Loddon Shire rivals Wedderburn on the weekend, Boort is still only two games outside the four, with a string of winnable games to come.
BOORT’S senior football team faces a season-defining month after a winless start to the North Central season. The Magpies finished fourth last year, but a brutal injury list and the loss of key players have left the team languishing in seventh place on the ladder. Despite a heavy loss to fierce Loddon Shire rivals Wedderburn on the weekend, Boort is still only two games outside the four, with a string of winnable games to come. Coach Andrew Rutley is convinced the last finals spot remains up for grabs, with three teams separating themselves from the rest at the top. This Saturday Boort plays St Arnaud, which is one place ahead of the Magpies with a 2-3 record, before the league’s third bye round for the season, marking the King’s Birthday long weekend. After the bye, Boort faces bottom side Charlton, which has been uncompetitive this year, and then Donald, which also has a 2-3 season. It’s more than feasible that Boort wins all three of those games and adds substantially to its poor percentage of 54.03. Rutley said he had watched video of St Arnaud’s loss to Birchip Watchem last Saturday and was confident his team had the midfield strength to combat the Saints. Crucial players are also returning to the side. “We’ll get back Jono Lanyon from the Northern Territory, and with a bit of luck Keiren Wilson,” Rutley said. Magpies captain Wilson was hurt in round one, leaving the field with what was feared to be a season-ending shoulder injury, but he was on the track last week and only needs to get through training on Thursday night to play. Rutley said Wilson would provide leadership on the field, and, just as importantly, the ability to take a contested mark. “St Arnaud have got some decent-sized defenders, but we think we can get them with a bit of leg speed.” Boort again had to dig into its junior ranks for the match against Wedderburn, with Jake O’Flaherty making his senior debut and Nick Scott playing just his second game in the firsts. The Under 17 players won’t be available for the senior side against the Saints, with a topof-the-table clash for the juniors getting priority. Wedderburn also has a big weekend ahead, playing fellow unbeaten team Sea Lake Nandaly in a match that will decide premiership favouritism.
Read More: Wedderburn, Berrimal, Boort