CFC 2nd Semi Final Results.
Charlton have given themselves another opportunity at a Premiership after they ran out comfortable 47 point winners against St Arnaud on Saturday at Wycheproof.
The Navy Blues will take on either Donald or face off against St Arnaud after these two sides play in the Preliminary Final next week at Boort.
The Grand Final will be held at Wedderburn on Saturday the 19th of September.
Bright sunshine greeted both Charlton and the Saints on Saturday at Wycheproof as the two sides took to the field to contest the 2nd Semi Final.
Charlton were able to move the ball around freely early but it was the Saints who got the first major of the day after Daniel Needs stuck a good mark from a blistering pass and then kicked the first goal of the day.
The Navies then found their rhythm and range, with Aaron Walklate getting plenty of the footy. McLean, McKay and Thompson were also creative early. Joe McLean got Charlton on the board with a nice left foot goal. This was then followed up with majors to James Baird and Joe McGrath.
The goal of the quarter came next however, when Anthony Judd won his own footy in the Caravan Park end left forward pocket, shrugged off a tackle, danced and weaved and then duly slotted to goal from the angle about 35 metres out on the boundary.
When Kyriakides found space through the middle and spotted up Mick Laffin for Charlton’s fifth in a row, Navy Blue supporters were very happy with their sides start.
The Saints bounced back late in the first term however and began to push forward quickly from clearances. They were also playing in front and getting first to the footy. This resulted in two more Saints goals through Needs and Nathan Coughlan to peg the margin back to 11 points at the first break in Charlton’s favour.
The opening minutes of the 2nd term was an even tussle with both sides laying plenty of tackles and the Umpires letting proceedings go in Finals fashion. The Saints broke the deadlock when St Arnaud coach James McNamee took a mark in the middle and was awarded 50m for Charlton spilling the ball after the mark. McNamee’s shot was true and the Saints were beginning to show why they have been the best side all year.
The calmness and decision making of Mark Vigus answered for Charlton as he found Judd for his second to hold a buffer Charlton’s way.
From this point however, the Saints held the upper hand for the remainder of the second term. Charlton were missing targets with short kicks and the pressure was building. The Navy Blue backline were working overtime and doing a good job but they were unable to hold back the forward entries from the Saints each time and St Arnaud managed to pinch back the lead with three consecutive goals to Needs, Kirk Looby and Coughlan. At the main break St Arnaud held a 4 point lead and took in plenty of confidence after dishing it up to the Navy Blues in the 2nd term.
The fact was that St Arnaud threw everything at Charlton in the second term and to the Navies credit they were still right in the game. Like a good boxer who withstands a barrage, Charlton were then able to counter punch emphatically in the all important third quarter. The likes of Daniel Thiesz and Sam O’Connor were able to find run and decisive ball movement, spotting up Charlton forwards. Rhys Thompson, Luke Mulquiny, Zane Sullivan and Aaron Walklate led from the front with their fearless and determined attacks on the footy and the contests. James Baird also worked extremely hard at keeping the ball in Charlton’s advantage.
The first goal came through the classy Vigus who took the ball from Aaron Walklate after a botched Saints kick in and converted. McLean and McKay were then able to kick consecutive left foot goals to lift the side. Ben Walklate’s left foot and creative skills were also coming to the fore while the backline, led by Winsall and Sait repelled any Saints thrusts forward. When Aaron Walklate goaled followed by Anthony Judd’s third major for the day and second from the boundary line late in the term, Charlton were in control and able to turn their four point half time deficit into a 29 point lead at the last break.
Charlton were able to continue their dominance into the last quarter. Luke Mulquiny won a hard ball on the wing early and linked up with Aaron Walklate who found Vigus by foot. Vigus slotted the set shot to dampen any Saints supporters hopes. When Joe McGrath created the opportunity for Judd to swoop on the ball for his fourth, it created Charlton’s seventh goal on the trot and the biggest margin of the day so far.
The Saints found a way to get one back through Coughlan to stop the run of Charlton’s continued attack but only temporarily.
Fittingly, Anthony Judd kicked the final goal of the day after again chasing down the footy and outclassing his opponent. His kick from 50 on the run saw the ball heading towards the points before deviating off the bounce and rolling through the big sticks.
At the final siren, Charlton were 47 points in front and secured their position to play off in the Grand Final.
Final Score- Charlton FC 14.18.102 d St. Arnaud FC 8.7.55
Goal Kickers: A. Judd 5, J. McLean 2, M. Vigus 2, J. McGrath, D. McKay, A. Walklate, M. Laffin, J. Baird
Best Players: A. Walklate, A. Judd, Z. Sullivan, D. McKay, R. Thompson, L. Kyriakides
Last Modified on 06/09/2015 09:26