The Jets stuttering at 4-66 after winning the toss and electing to bat first against Old Students at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve before the duo put together 93 runs for the fifth wicket.
The stand helped the Jets pass 200 for the third time this Haisman Shield season with both batsmen spending hours at the crease.
Pedretti racked up 186 minutes in the middle for his 147-delivery 67, while Brett ticked over two hours for his 68 off 98 balls.
That no other Northerners batsman was able to reach 15 restricted the ceiling of the side's total to 236 all-out in the 71st over, but was also a nod to the bowling efforts of the visitors.
Nick Breslin sent down 21 overs — including eight maidens — for figures of 3-30, while Callan McCabe (3-45) continued his stellar all-round season.
McCabe has 394 runs at an average of 39.4 in the Haisman Shield to go with 27 wickets at 13.6 in what would be considered a strong Lightfoot Medal campaign in any summer, and could be in a tight race for the honour with the likes of Brett, Nagambie's Mark Nolan and Mooroopna's Henry Barrow.
Tim Looby and Liam Callegari also nabbed two wickets apiece for the Students, with Breslin (six not out) and Brendan Crouch (yet to score) seeing out six overs before stumps without loss.
STATE OF PLAY
Northerners 236 (Joel Brett 68, Ben Pedretti 67, Nick Breslin 3-30, Callan McCabe 3-45, Tim Looby 2-40, Liam Callegari 2-80) v Old Students 0-9.
STAR PLAYER
Ben Pedretti (Northerners): Pedretti combined with Joel Brett (68 from 98 deliveries) in a 93-run stand to help the Jets post a big total after some early wobbles. His 67 came from 147 deliveries and more than three hours at the crease in a mammoth batting effort.
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