Sport
13 August, 2026
Zagame shines for Navies in Pies pile on
CHARLTON’S tough season is stuttering to a close after another massive defeat, this time at the hands of Boort, which won only its fourth match of the year.
CHARLTON’S tough season is stuttering to a close after another massive defeat, this time at the hands of Boort, which won only its fourth match of the year.
The 190-point win offered a measure of compensation for the Magpies, who drew the short straw earlier in the season when they faced Charlton for the first time.
That was the match in which Brownlow Medal winner Dane Swan, former Melbourne player James Magner, and Bendigo league legend Adam Baird appeared for the Navy Blues in one-off games.
Boort won that match, but only by 20 points - Charlton’s next smallest losing margin for the season has been 76 points against Donald, with all other defeats by more than 100 points.
This time the Magpies were able to add some welcome percentage, but too late for a charge at the finals.
The young Charlton side trailed by 35 points at the first change, but could add only a solitary behind for the rest of the game.
Boort kicked 23.19 in those three quarters, totally dominating the clash.
Liam Bianco, whose future with the Magpies is clouded, was best afield in what has been a fine season.
He is listed with VFL side Box Hill Hawks, and Boort coach Andrew Rutley believes the Hawks may want Bianco to play at a higher level as his career progresses.
Carlos Egan, who will go close to winning the Magpies’ best and fairest award, was missing after being suspended for one match, and he will not return to Boort next year, choosing to go back to Strathmore in the Essendon District league.
Lachlan Fitzgerald kicked seven goals for Boort, who had 11 players hit the scoreboard, with brothers Tyson and Kayne Rutley each booting four.
Sam Jones kicked Charlton’s only goal, and just his second for the year.
Youngster Jackson Zagame was best for the Navies, who will have to do some soul searching after the year ends with matches against St Arnaud and Wedderburn.
Boort, which made the finals last season but lost key players before the season began and then suffered a string of injuries, finishes off a disappointing year with games against Donald and Sea Lake Nandaly.
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