Defenders deny credit inside 50

BOORT was forced to play catch-up football after conceding the two early first quarter goals to Wycheproof Narraport in Saturday’s North Central clash.

The Pies’ struggles with player depth and goal front inaccuracy were exposed further by blustery conditions and a Demons’ outfit keen to go one better than the drawn result earlier in the season.

Wycheproof Narraport defenders were up to the task, constantly turning over forward thrusts from Boort who would end up have much forward 50 play for the day.

Still depleted by injuries, the Pies were unable to score a goal in the first half but only trailed by 19 points at the main break.

A better second quarter saw the Pies put three behinds on the board while holding their opponents to 1.2.

The second half fightback was driven by Ryan McGhie, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Tom Potter across the midfield.

Seniors

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Summerhayes 5, B. McInnes 4, B. Poulton 3, C. Cox, T. Cox, W. Simpson 2, T. McKenzie, T. Donnan. St Arnaud: O. Lowe, J. Male 2, Z. Notting.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: T. Donnan, C. Cox, T. McKenzie, L. Martin, W. Simpson, R. O’Sullivan. St Arnaud: J. Male, O. Lowe, W. Jackson, W. Bertalli, M. Birthisel, N. Birthisel.

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GOALS - Charlton: C. Gavaghan 4, N. Thompson 3, S. Woods 2, R. Thiesz, M. Heenan. Birchip Watchem: N. Gordon 5, B. Edwards 4, N. Rippon, B. Christodoulou, L. Ryan, D. Castellano.

Potter has been consistently in the Pies’ best this season. While a bit off the blistering pace he set in opening games in recent weeks, the youthful Potter slipped back into top form on Saturday.

Fitzpatrick ended the best for Boort in front of goal with two majors while Aitken and full-forward Levi Moss kicked singles.

The Pies actually got back to within a couple of kicks of the lead before Wycheproof Narraport skipped away late in the quarter to win by 25 points.

Boort outscored the home team in that term and finished with equal scoring shots for the match.

The difference in play came down to the defenders. Whenever Boort kicked a goal, the Demons would reply with two. And they had multiple avenues to the sticks that saw seven players score majors.

Spencer Allan, Rick Allan, Joe Kenny and Gedd Hommelhoff were best for

Wycheproof Narraport who remain in the hunt for a top four spot on the ladder.

A slip by Birchip Watchem or Donald could see the Demons jump into possible finals action, the two points from the earlier season draw with Boort compensating for an inferior percentage.

Boort’s injury and availability woes at the weekend saw juniors elevated to the reserves side.

Senior coach Dale Cameron later said he was impressed with the talent coming up through club ranks.

And Cameron himself also pulled on the boots, kicking two goals as the Pies bolted out to a 92-point victory.

Charlton has shown its upset win over Boort a fortnight ago was the fair dinkum indication of improvement looming in the second half of the season.

The Navies put in a stunning third quarter the draw level with Birchip Watchem on Saturday before the Bulls snuck home by two goals.