WEDDERBURN wasted little time asserting its dominance over St Arnaud in Saturday’s North Central clash at Lord Nelson Park.
The Redbacks dominated play between the arcs with Joe Lockhart constantly thwarting opponents across half-back and sending the ball deep forward.
The endeavour, that had lasped in 10 crucial minutes the previous week against Sea Lake Nandaly, was hard to fault.
Mackenzie Smith’s left foot snap for goal had Wedderburn on the board within seconds of the opening bounce.
Mitch Jensen followed with two quick majors on his way to six for the day.
But it was bustling Joe cutting down St Arnaud attempts to go deep into their inside 50, thwarting midfielders Organ and Torney who would battle out the day with spirit.
Lockhart linked with Jackson McEwen in the centre where Adam Postle was making his presence effective at the centre bounces.
St Arnaud failed to score in the opening term, six majors for Wedderburn (two from free kicks) were good but the six behinds a blot on the scoreline in the first 25 minutes.
The Saints were able to score in the second term yet not enough to stem the growing momentum of Wedderburn with Noah Furlong, Hamish Lockhart and Darcy Jackson pushing their claim for best player selection.
Wedderburn was its most dominant and accurate in the third term with 8.3 added to the scoreboard, and only eased a little in the final quarter but still outscored the Saints by 11 points.
The Redbacks also had goal depth on show with 12 of the team kicking majors.
Jensen’s eight was backed up by three each for Oscar Holt and Mitchell McEwen while veteran Danny Benaim, having a run on the wing of Saturday, also bobbed up with a goal.
Wedderburn is back at Donaldson Park this Saturday against Calder United who pulled off the season’s biggest upset downing reigning premiers Sea Lake Nandaly by 40 and staking its claim for flag favouritism.
Dale Pearce, who had been playing with Central Districts in the SANFL, pulled on the Calder jumper for the first time last Saturday Recruited just a fortnight before the transfer window closes for the season, Pearce kicked three goals in the first half and another four after half-time.
Calder lost to Sea Lake Nandaly by 20 points when they first met this season but led at every change last Saturday.
Wedderburn at home, however, could be a chance.