The Redbacks had a good day winning Senior, Reserves and under sixteen premierships along with claiming three netball premierships.
Saturday’s venue for the North Centrals Grand Finals was Wycheproof and the Demons really turned it on for the league’s biggest day when hosting their first Grand Final in thirty five years.
There was nothing but praise for the Wycheproof-Narraport club with their hosting of the Grand Finals they had everything in place for one of the leagues greatest grand finals.
Wedderburn v Charlton
Wedderburn got away to a better start than the Navy Blues in the Grand Final opener when Prime posted the first major of the day this was followed by another when Lloyd swopped on a loose ball and made no mistake. Charlton then responded through James Baird and this got the Navy Blues going as Travis Baird who had come into the game under an injury cloud kicked the first of his four goals for the day. Charlton’s persistence and run was causing the Redbacks some serious issues in the opening term and it took all of the quarter for the Redbacks to regain the lead to hold a slender one point lead at the first break.
In the second quarter there was very little scoring where only three goals were scored with both sides back lines coming under heavy pressure for the majority of the term. In this quarter Wedderburn’s full forward Sam Barnes brought up his one hundredth goal for the year. Travis Baird and Mick Laffin kicked late goals for Charlton to see them hit the front and take a two point lead to the main stoppage. Charlton were playing the better football and probable deserved to be further in front than just the two points, but they had halted what most had thought would be a different score line at the half way make.
Wedderburn fell a little further behind the Navy Blues when McGrath scored the first goal of the term, Clifford added for Charlton when he took full advantage of some free space to put the Charlton side out to a two goal lead, but it was to be short lived, Wedderburn struck back with majors to McKay, Herdman and Prime to regain the lead and go to the final break holding an eleven point margin over Charlton and many wondered if it would be enough as Charlton were looking dangerous and kicking to the scoring end.
The final term seen Wedderburn draw first blood as they extended their lead over the Navy Blues with a goal to Holt. Charlton were not going to let the Redbacks have it all their way and James Baird led the revival as he kicked three last quarter goals. Wedderburn took the ball forward but could only manage points and this was getting a little frustrating for their supporters, Herdman finally produced a much needed goal for the Redbacks and as time was running down Charlton lifted again and Travis Baird who had been quite since the opening term come through with an answering goal and as we got closer to full time the scores were locked up at 80 apiece and we were heading for extra time.
With scores confirmed as being level we went into extra time Charlton posted the first score a point and then another the ball then transferred to the other end where the Redbacks could also only manage points to level the game up again. In the second five minutes both sides were desperate at the ball and scoring was a hard task for both sides, just prior to the time expiring Wedderburn made a last ditch effort to win the contest and a long shot from the Redbacks was off target but the opposition knocked the ball through for a point and from the kick in the ball travelled to the middle of the ground as the siren sounded and the Redbacks had won their fourth straight premiership.
Although the efforts of the Redbacks was enough to get them the win many were of the opinion that the Navy Blues had been the better side on the day but the final score deprived them of the premiers title by just one point.
Wedderburn 11-17 = 83 def Charlton 12-10= 82
Best for Wedderburn: Brady Herdman, Nathan Bell, Mark Lloyd, Daniel Gash, Rohan McHugh, Brett Strange and Jaran McKay. Goals Brady Herdman 4, Sam Barnes, Paul Prime 2, Jaran McKay, Nathan
Holt, Mark Lloyd 1 each.
Best for Charlton: Reece Collins, Luke Kyriakides, Kieran Sait, James Baird, Angus McKenzie and Rhys Thompson. Goals: James Baird, Travis Baird 4, Mick Laffin, Kris Clifford, Anthony Judd and Joe McGrath 1 each.
Reserves Wedderburn 10-9=69 def St Arnaud 10-6=66
Under 16’s Wedderburn 13-5=83 def Boort 9-5=59
Under 13’s St Arnaud 9-5=59 def Birchip-Watchem 3-8=26
Last Modified on 22/09/2014 11:32