BETTER tackling and a stoic defence has seen Wedderburn gain the edge in a cut-throat battle to play North Central Football League finals.
It was the Redbacks who shrugged off the fleet-footed brigade of their fourth spot rival Nullawil for a 12-point victory at Donaldson Park in record holder Danny Benaim’s 350th game.
Benaim’s dashes out of defence set up at least two of the crucial nine goals kicked by Wedderburn. 
There could have been more majors had the Redbacks locked more of the play deep in their forward 50 instead of handing Nullawil easy options from goal square kickouts where the Maroons constantly had both back pockets sitting loose and ready to push into their attacking zone
Coach Tom Metherell, Benaim and Adam Postle stood tall with telling marks that frustrated Nullawil. 
Oscar Holt put in another pearly across the half-forward line and was rewarded with two goals. He roamed the length of the centre square and created options, easing the pressure on Tom Campbell who attracted two and three opponents but still managed to weave through packs.
Wedderburn had started kicking to the Charlton end and dominated play for much of the opening quarter. The first goal came in under a minute from the boot of Noah Furlong.
Jordan Hargreaves was sharing honours in the ruck with Dean Putt.
The danger man was Nullawil’s Matthew Wade. He set up a mid-term goal by Adam Thompson and scored his own major a minute later when Nullawil grabbed the lead.
A late term goal from Oscar Holt and an errant behind from Campbell had Wedderburn behind on the scoreboard at the first break but with momentum.
Wedderburn hit hard and early in the second quarter when Campbell had one of his two goals for the day within seconds of the bounce. Junior Miller was coming more into the game, equally as agile and happy to take on the bigger Nullawil players.
Wade, Caccaviello, Farmer and Putt were lynchpins for Nullawil in the term but the Maroons could only manage one goal - Sol Kelly 10 minutes in - as Wedderburn stretched the lead to 18 points at the main break.
The premiership quarter produced an intensity reflecting that for the loser, it could well be curtains for the season. Neither side scored a goal as play constantly zig-zagged up and down the ground. Metherell was leading by example in defence, Miller bobbing up around the wings and defenders from both sides intent on nullifying opponents.
Immediate energy came from Wedderburn in the last quarter when Campbell broke free with a goal. Later in the term, Miller sneakily won the ball in a congested square and goaled. 
The match sealer came around the 20-minute mark when Hargreaves snapped accurately.
Wade, Jordan Humphreys, Watts and Caccaviello didn’t throw in the towel as Nullawil battled out to the siren.
Oscar Holt finished off another stellar game to be best for Wedderburn. 
Jackson McEwen, Joe Lockhart and Sam Lockhart were three other players who stood out in a Wedderburn performance that showed depth and commitment.
The hungry remains in the Donaldson Park outfit for a tilt at finals.