CHARLTON has pulled off the North Central season upset by snatching a 13-point win over Boort.
The Navies played a tighter brand of football and found gaps in Boort’s overworked defence to notch up only their second win of the season.
A congested midfield saw multiple bounces in the opening minutes, Boort missing the aerial dominance of ruckman Nathan Twigg who had been sidelined for the game under the concussion rule.
Twigg’s creative centre taps have been key to setting up quick forward attacks for the Pies.
Boort’s Tom Potter still found ways to send the ball out of the centre, only for his efforts to be cut off by the Blues or result in some early behinds.
A purple patch from Charlton mid-way through the first quarter saw Mason Heenan pick up the loose ball at half forward, take a 30-metre run into open goal.
Within minutes, Charlton was back in attack. Harrison Taylor kicked to Rhyen Woods in the goal square and the Blues had two majors.
Jarrod Fitzpatrick put some fightback into the Pies when he replied with the first of two goals for the day.
That purple patch would be the difference as Charlton put in its best game of what has been an otherwise disappointing season.
The never-die attitude of Boort was led across the half-forward line by Alex Davis while McGhie was again the keyt defender for the Pies.
Cam Ross stepped up to fill Twigg’s shoes and kicked two goals.
Frasier Holland, back in the seniors, was a key magnet up forward. Coach Dale Cameron switched HIM into the ruck throughout the final term as every creative move was executed in a desperate attempt to bridge the gap.
One of the key differences was Charlton’s Nick Thompson, named best on ground and kicking six of the Navies’ goals.  His accuracy up forward another factor in Charlton’s upset win.
Fitzpatrick and Potter were four-quarter contributors for Boort with dogged midfield play.
- CHRIS EARL