BOORT’S 15-goal win against lowly Charlton may have looked good on the scoreboard but was far from a spectator delight.
The Pies missed James Keeble marshalling troops out of defence on Saturday.
His absence meant disposal and direction was often poor, the ball bombed in all directions without system as the combative Charlton belied its ladder position to challenge one of North Central’s top sides this season.
It took the experience and onfield wisdom of Jayden Dick and assistant coach Jhye BaddeleyKelly to get the Pies out of trouble.
The duo battled away across the midfield and when JBK was allowed to weave his magic deep forward, the goals came.
The influence of Ryan McGhie and Carolos Egan also helped get the Pies out of some sticky situations in the third term when Charlton kept winning the turnovers and headed to the goal square. A true snap by coach Mitch Collins lifted the spark and grunt of the Navies,only to be snuffed out by quick replies off the boots of Will Perryman and Tom Potter.
A JBK goal late in the third term had Boort up by 60 points at the last change.
Jack Smith sent an ominous warning early in the fourth quarter that proved accurate. Boort piled on seven goals although Charlton still kept its scoreline moving.
Two of the final term goals came from Baddeley-Kelly who finished the day with eight.
Young Pie Lachy Hall has been one of the club’s big improvers this season. On Saturday, he was in the best for a second consecutive week and among the goalkickers.
Boort is at home this Saturday for what should be another big win playing Donald.
The Pies then face a gruelling three weeks up against Sea Lake Nandaly, Birchip Watchem and Calder United.