Sport
23 April, 2026
FOOTY: Stroobants stirs Lions in final term
Stroobants, in his first season with the Lions after transferring from the Bendigo league, kicked Calder’s only two goals of the last quarter to snatch a late lead in the thriller at George Cartwright Oval.
THE experience of veteran key forward Steve Stroobants saw Calder United sneak home by a point in North Central’s grand final rematch with Birchip Watchem.
Stroobants, in his first season with the Lions after transferring from the Bendigo league, kicked Calder’s only two goals of the last quarter to snatch a late lead in the thriller at George Cartwright Oval.
The reigning premiers held on despite the Bulls kicking the final goal of the match in a frantic finish.
Birchip Watchem will rue some wayward kicking for goal, finishing on 10.12 (72) to 11.7 (73).
Best on ground Stroobants kicked five goals in a match that Birchip Watchem led for most of the afternoon, but never really controlled.
A 16-point half-time lead was trimmed to four points at the final change, after Calder kicked four goals to two in the third term.
Calder finally hit the front 15 minutes into the last quarter when Stroobants kicked his fifth major.
The loss has the Bulls winless going into the first bye week after losing to Sea Lake Nandaly in the opening round, with Calder rebounding from the opening round loss to Wedderburn.
Ruckmen Daniel Rendell and Dean Putt had a mighty battle, with the Bulls recruit probably shading the former Richmond man on the day.
Last season’s best and fairest winner, key defender Ben Lakin, was best for Birchip Watchem.
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