NCFL GRAND FINALIST – Charlton

NCFL GRAND FINALIST – WYCHEPROOF-NARRAPORT

AFTER serving a three-year apprenticeship, Charlton will be striving to become the grand final master on Saturday.

The Navies will tackle Wycheproof-Narraport in the North Central league grand final at St Arnaud.

Charlton has proven one of country footy’s hard luck stories in recent years.

The Navies have lost the past three grand finals by a combined 21 points – by eight points to St Arnaud last year, one point in extra time to Wedderburn in 2014 and 12 points to the Redbacks in 2013.

Charlton heads into the grand final with a 13-4 record for the season and four-straight wins.

The Navies qualified for the grand final with an 11-point victory over Wycheproof-Narraport in the second semi-final a fortnight ago, which gave the side a week off to prepare.

Inside 50 the Navies have had two players – Joseph McGrath (58) and Cody Gunn (53) – with 50-plus goals for the season, while Matt Giri (31) has also been lively in attack.

Those three players have combined for 142 of the 230 goals the Navies have kicked this year.

Since joining the Navies during the season from Strathfieldsaye, Jye Sandiford has been outstanding across half-forward and then through the midfield.

In the 11 games Sandiford has played for the Navies he has been in their top two players in seven of them.

Kieran Sait has also been in good form in the back half of the season and was one of the Navies’ best in the second semi-final win over the Demons.

Captain Daniel Thiesz, a key component of the Navies’ back half, will play his 200^th senior game for Charlton.

Thiesz is a member of the club’s last senior flag in 2009 won against Donald by 12 points.

The tireless Tim Nicolson has had a solid season in the ruck, while coach Aaron Walklate has produced another consistent year in the midfield, which was recognised in finishing runner-up in the Feeny Medal.