BOORT has  secured the frst leg of the May quadrella with a stirring eight-point victory over reigning North Central league premiers Sea Lake Nandaly.
The spirited win was set up in the middle quarters - the opening term saw the home team Pies held scoreless, the final stanza showed this 2025 outfit will not wilt when opponents apply the pressure.
Baddeley-Kelly and Ethan Coleman kept putting the cream on top of a rising cake but it was Keiran Wilson at half-back and Austin and McGhie on the flanks who badgered and frustrated Sea Lake’s efforts to gain the upper hand.
The half-back trio was relentless in turning over play and sending Boort deep into the square and the ascendency.
The Tigers had some quick reply goals as Boort whittled down the deficit before Jayden Dick had the Pies in front and Coleman guaranteed the lead at the main change.
Sea Lake had early play as the second half opened. Thomas Cox, Trent Donnan, Wade Donnan and  Jackson McMahon worked the ball deep again only to be frustrated by Boort’s defence.
Then Baddeley-Kelly asserted control. he set up one goal and kicked another himself.
Tom Potter was a key link across the midfield as around him, the Boort players were possessed and showing the crushing defeats meted out to bottom sides in the first three rounds were just a warm-up for the main encounters. Sea Lake had its big names like Brownless on the ground. In seasons not too distant, that would have intimidated Boort - there was a grunt on show that has not been seen at Boort Park from a home side in some years.
Even when the Tigers tried to lift a cog or two in the final quarter, the pressure from Boort’s defence meant inaccuracy in front of goal for a Tigers outfit rarely on the losing end.
The Pies will have even more confidence when they take on Calder this weekend.
By the end of the month, they will have also faced Birchip Watchem and Wedderburn. Win and they’re the real deal.