BOORT will need to replicate its early-season form if it is to beat Sea Lake Nandaly in Saturday’s North Central football first semi-final at Birchip.
The Magpies were top of the ladder after four rounds following massive wins over St Arnaud, Charlton and Donald and a shock victory over two-time reigning premiers Sea Lake.
They fell back to earth with a thud in round five, losing to Calder United by 125 points, but a narrow defeat at the hands of the Tigers in round 11 is another reason for optimism.
The ladder, however, suggests an easy Sea Lake win.
Boort finished two matches and a whopping 111 per cent behind the Tigers, and despite two wins in a row enters the finals in so-so form.
Victories over St Arnaud (91 points) and Charlton (77 points) were barely par for the course in a season where those teams were largely uncompetitive.
Before that, four consecutive losses put the Magpies in danger of missing the finals.
Much will rest on midfielder-forward Jhye Baddeley-Kelly’s shoulders. He finished third in the league’s Feeny Medal after another fine season, but his record against the top sides is in stark contrast to his repeated monstering of poorer opponents.
Boort will contest finals in all four grades this year.