REIGNING premier Wedderburn is the only undefeated team left in the North Central Football League after Saturday's 12-point win over Charlton in round five.
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The Redbacks held off the fast-finishing Charlton to win 10.11 (71) to 9.5 (59) - the same margin they beat the Navy Blues by in last year's grand final.
Wedderburn led by 38 points 15 minutes into the final term, before the Navy Blues charged back into the contest, booting the last four goals of the game, but ran out of time to overhaul the deficit.
The Redbacks made their move early in the second term when they kicked the first four goals after Charlton had led by three points at quarter-time.
The Redbacks' lead at half-time and three quarter-time was 17 points, and when they kicked the first three goals of the last term through Paul Prime, Brady Herdman and Sam Barnes, a blowout looked possible before the Navy Blues' responded and finished strongly.
Liam McCarthy, Cameron Perry and Jaran McKay were the best for the Redbacks, whose overall winning streak is now 13 dating back to round 13 last season.
Star Wedderburn forward Barnes kicked five goals in his return from suspension.
Angus McKenzie, key recruit Travis Baird - playing against his Golden Square premiership team-mates Mark Lloyd and Nathan Bell - Daniel Thiesz and Ben Roberts played well for Charlton.
• Boort clung on to defeat the accurate Birchip-Watchem by three points in the first NCFL game decided by single-figures this season.
The Magpies won 11.12 (78) to 12.3 (75), having earlier led by 19 points at quarter-time, 22 at half-time and 18 at three quarter-time.
In their second win in a row, Andrew White (three goals) starred for the Magpies, who also had good players in Michael Henningsen, Cameron Milward, Keiren Wilson and Shannon Milward (two goals).
Just as he had done in his first three games, Daniel Castellano kicked four goals for the Bulls to be among their best, along with coach Tom Carland, Jacob Noonan, Zac Holmes and Sam O'Loughlin.
• Wycheproof-Narraport defeated Donald 17.12 (114) to 5.11 (41) in what was a clash between two teams chasing their first win.
Co-coach Ricky Allan booted six goals for the Demons, who were best served by Jesse White, Declan Lourey, Spencer Allan and Sam Driscoll (three goals).
Alex Sheridan, Brody Haddow and William Sexton battled hard for the Royals in the 73-point loss.
