Charlton win in seniors for first time in 20 games

A country footy side broke it’s two year winless streak after being inspired by their reserves. Find out how the drought ended.

In half an hour of footy, Charlton ended a winless run stretching back two years.

The Blues won their first match since 2021 in the North Central league with a 44-point win over St Arnaud at home.

The team ended their 19-game winless streak since beating the same team in the final game of the shortened season two years ago.

It was the first time in four years the team had kicked more than 100 points in a game.

To top it all off it was the first time in four years the reserves have also won.

“For both our grades I think it is the best overall team performance we’ve had for a long time,” club president Kris Dixon said.

“All players played their part.

“We could have given more awards to a lot more players.”

Inspired by the reserves, the senior side had their best first quarter in years, kicking seven goals to no score to open up at 46-point lead.

Despite St Arnaud responding in the second quarter the Blues were able to keep them scoreless in the third quarter to open up the margin to 50 points at the final change.

The senior team celebrate after winning their first match since 2021. Picture: Kim Fitzpatrick.

The team held on to record one of their largest wins.

“It was a combination of things (helping us),” Dixon said.

“With the reserves coming in for a win, the (senior) players could see the jubilation and how much excitement the players were getting with their reserves win.

“It sparked them up. Having a few of these new players finally in the side helped with structure (as well).

“Everything clicked and we got off to a flyer. It’s something we haven’t done for quite a long time.”

New recruits Jesse Taylor and Taylor Bruns impressed on debut with Taylor among the best.

The Blues also had multiple goalkickers with Kris Clifford, Travis Baird, Nick Thompson, Jaydon Cowling and Harrison Taylor all kicking more than two goals in the game.

It’s a far cry from 2022 where the club averaged just over seven goals a game.

Dixon said the positive to last year, which saw the team lose all their matches, was it got some vital games into their youth.

“It was a good year, I know we didn’t win a game, but the fact we played a lot of youngsters who came up from the under-17s and it was a good time to give them a bit of experience as senior footballers,” he said.

“They were learning a lot from the senior players and it gave them a head start going forward to this year.

“In the off-season we recruited quite well and picked up seven or eight blokes.”

Now the club is hoping to rise up the ladder but know the next fortnight is tough.

The team faces Nullawil before taking on the unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly the following week.

“It was great to have a win on the Saturday night for the club, everyone really enjoyed it, but come Sunday morning a lot of the players were sending messages saying yesterday’s gone, let’s look forward to Nullawil,” Dixon said.

Joseph McGrath kicked eight for the Charlton reserves in their first win in four years. Picture: Kim Fitzpatrick.

“It’s going to be really tough for us this week.”

In a special weekend for the club the Blues also celebrated the 100th game of reserves captain Joseph Durie with a 42-point win.

“He’s respected by all players, on and off the field,” Dixon said.

“The players came out and were really fired up to get a win for Joe as much as get the win for themselves.

“To win the reserves it was like winning a grand final for the players after the game.

“It was fantastic to see and finally got some reward for months of training.”