FOOTBALL
AFTER a disappointing 2024 season with zero wins on the board, Charlton are looking to rebuild and look for some wins this season.
After collecting eight new players that will strengthen their team, they could start to look for some wins.
Senior coach Mitch Collins knows his side have been down but he’s used this time to focus on youth last season and will be planning to do the same this season.
“We have been down the bottom for the past couple of years now,” Collins said.
“But this has given us time to get some games in our kids. They are all a year older and they came back in decent shape, ready and raring to go.”
Charlton first picked up Luke Dunne who most recently was playing for the Maryborough Giants in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League.
Dunne also featured with the Bendigo Pioneers and Ballarat Rebels. With his natural speed, he will be a player to look out for.
His Maryborough Giants teammate John Leathan is also joining the Navies.
Charlton also brought in Liam O’Keefe, who is returning back to football after taking the 2024 season off to travel.
Probably one of the bigger signings for the club is Ben Xiriha, the key defender who has featured with clubs such as Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton, and Romsey.
He has also played with the Bendigo Pioneers.
Considering the backline did struggle last season letting in over 1600 points, the big Ben will be a great asset that will hopefully build a stronger defensive foundation for the Navies.
“All recruits that we have brought in have been great during pre season,” Collins said.
“We’ve tried to add blokes who can train locally with us. Most of the lads have been at training on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“With the connection, it will help us develop as a side.”
CHARLTON FAST FOOTY FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE: 1940
GROUND: Charlton Park
PREMIERSHIPS: 13 (1940, 1946, 1947,1950, 1966, 1973, 1974, 1989, 1990, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2016)
PRESIDENT: Kris Dixon
SENIOR COACH: Mitch Collins
2024 LADDER POSITION: 9TH
2024 BEST & FAIREST: Mitch Collins
2024 LEADING GOALKICKER: Christopher Gavaghan (12 Goals)
FROM THE COACH
“We have added a number of older heads which have set the standard of good footy for the boys.
“At the end of the day, we knock where we are at.
“We aren’t setting any win-loss goals but just intending on getting better as a team.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ben Lanyon: He is a local kid who came up as the runner-up in our best fairest last season.
Expecting him to have a solid run for this season.
PLAYER INS & OUTS
INS
Josh Harris (Point Cook)
Declan Ryan (Queensland)
Ashton Wood (Murrabit)
Aaron Schofield (White Hills)
John Leathan (Maryborough Giants)
Luke Dunne (Maryborough Giants)
Liam O’Keefe (Kangaroo Flat)
Ben Xiriha (Kyneton)
OUTS
Harry Taylor (Lorne)
Jesse Taylor (Kilmore)
Kade Blow (Retired)
William Thomas (St Arnaud)
Nick Thompson (Eaglehawk)
Joseph Tormey (Rupanyup)
NETBALL
CHARLTON will push towards finals again this season after an incredible comeback last season where they went from eighth to third place and made the grand final.
Thats the goal, at least in Leah Smith’s eyes.
“That’s everyone’s goal for this year, to go and win a grand final,” Smith said.
“A few players can make a difference, we will have a number of players out due to having families.
“But this does gives us the chance to promote the B grade and under 17 players up to A grade.”
It will be expected that the Navies will be going up against a number of youth players this season.
“We will be mostly investing the youth players and monitoring their progress during training and games,” Smith said.
“I’ll be keeping a close eye particularly on Isabel Soulsby and Emmy Nelson.
“They both featured in the A grade grand final last year so we will watch them well and make sure they have good player development.”
Player to watch
Claudia Lee: With her experience in the senior side, she will no doubt be one to watch.
But the juniors will be good to watch as well.
