WEDDERBURN has retained the Woosang Shield on the back of a gritty and driven four-quarter performance from rover Joe Lockhart.
Lockhart was key to the Redback’s 89-point win over Charlton at Donaldson Park on Saturday.
He was at centre bounces picking up knocks and palms from ruckman Jordy Hargreaves.
The Donaldson Park complex wing had commanded with a dogged perseverance that frustrated Charlton defenders and forwards.
Lockhart, named best on ground, chipped in with two handy goals. He was in the action pushing the ball forward to Tommy Campbell, who led well all day and broke the Navies’ checking defenders after quarter time.
Campbell finished with five goals. Three came in rapid fire mid-way through the third term and Wedderburn snapped the spoiling of Charlton that had reduced play to “a game of tennis” for the first 12 minutes.
Ruck-rover Jackson McEwen had a day out too as Wedderburn’s onballers contributed to what coach Tom Metherell later called the side’s best four-quarter performance of the season.
Jake Hayes in his 200th senior games chipped in with two goals and Junior Miller, flashy and fast around the packs, finally found accuracy in front of sticks for a couple of final term goals.
However. the match was not all Wedderburn’s way. Charlton coach Mitch Collins was bobbed up around the ground with some telling marks as he battled to bring players into the game.
Billy Sexton kicked the Navies’ only goal late in the second term and that only came after a free kick and 50-metre penalty brought right into the square. Ben Lanyon and Bailey Dixon were among the Navies’ better contributors but could not match the Redbacks’ resolve.
Wedderburn’s tight defence was again orchestrated by Danny Benaim who put in a stellar performance as former team mates in the Redbacks’ 2014 side gathered for their reunion. Metherell and Jake De Araugo was equally as dogged.
Saturday’s match saw the return of Adam Postle who was injured in his 300th senior game a fortnight earlier. Postle was rotated off the bench, giving support in the ruck,
Charlton’s defence had to work overtime. They couldn’t stop 14 goals being kicked but close checking in the square meant saves with more than half of Wedderburn’s 16 behinds being rushed.
And while Metherell praised the four-quarter effort, it was the intensity of Wedderburn’s tackling that hit a peak in the final term.
The win has lifted Wedderburn back into the top but still to shake off challengers for a shot at the finals action.
Boort, Nullawil and Wycheproof Narraport are still in the hunt.
Wedderburn’s more consistent game plan last Saturday and the bursts of brilliance from Joe Lockhart and Campbell will be needed for the Redbacks to lock in that fourth spot.
- CHRIS EARL