CHARLTON has set up a North Central Football League grand final re-match after defeating St Arnaud by just seven points in the preliminary final at George Cartwright Oval, Birchip, on Saturday.
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The Navy Blues started strongly and held off a fast-finishing Saints outfit to record a 10.7 (67) to 8.12 (60) win.
They will now meet three-time reigning premier Wedderburn at Wycheproof on Saturday.
Saints president Brett Douglas said the Navy Blues were deserved winners.
“They were the better side in the end,” he said.
The Saints were left to play catch-up after Charlton made the most of its scoring opportunities to lead by 20 points at the opening change.
But the Saints did find a response, reducing the margin to nine points at the major break.
The Navy Blues bounced back to lead by 21 points.
The Saints kicked 2.5 in the final quarter to fall in a preliminary final for the second year running.
Luke Kyriakides, three goals, was named the Navy Blues’ best player, with Joseph McLean and Anthony Judd also impressing.
Nick Baldwin and Shane Thorne were named St Arnaud’s best.
Douglas said the Saints would now focus on adding to its playing group to go again in 2015.
“Our list will stay strong and McNamee will coach again,” he said.
Wedderburn defeated Charlton by 25 points in the reserves, while Boort accounted for St Arnaud by 71 points in the under-16s and the Saints thumped Donald by 65 points in the under-13s.
