Werribee Centrals travelled to East Geelong to play last years Premiers in the fifth round of the GDFL. It would be the biggest test so far for Centrals senior list as they progress working as a team with so many new faces since last season.
East Geelong won the toss and kicked with the aid of the strong breeze but it was Centrals who kicked the first goal with just sheer persistence at the footy when Adam Shembri back from injury snapped truly. Centrals continued to attack the football and East Geelong seemed to be rattled with the enthusiasm showed by Centrals for the ball to such an extent they gave away a fifty metre penalty allowing Centrals to kick their second goal through Anthony Kitchen. David Hall on his wing was worrying East with his pace and Centrals third goal for the quarter came from his second effort to keep the ball live. East even though kicking with the breeze placed a loose man across half back which slowed Centrals direct play into the forward line.
In the second quarter Centrals continued to attack the footy and quickly had two goals from marks which seemed to lift the Centrals players even further. East being a top side then found another gear and got back into the game and could have been even closer except for the tight defense of Shaun Simmons and Coach David Leatch.
Centrals knew they had to hold East in the third as they again had the wind and their work in the centre of the ground and the tackling was strong and barely gave East a chance to break free and have an avenue to goal. Again the defense held firm and they gave Centrals forwards numerous chances but they found it hard to convert kicking only the one goal for the quarter. The strong point of the quarter was keeping East to a solitary goal for the quarter.
Coach Leatch asked for total commitment from the playing group for the last 25 minutes to ensure a win against the Premiers. Nathan Lovell resting in the pocket marked and goaled and Centrals had the first goal which they dearly wanted and from this point Centrals controlled the game to run out comfortable winners.
Centrals now play the big improvers of the GDFL in Inverleigh at Galvin Park this Saturday which will be another test for the club so come along and see some of the locals in action.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 13.11 – 89 to East Geelong 5.13 - 43
Goal Kickers:- C Rosenzweig 4, K Tietze 2, B Chugg 2, A Kitchen, T Johns, N Lovell, S Calbert & A Schembri 1 each.
Best Players:- T Johns, S Simmons, D Leatch, D Hall, B Bunworth, B Chugg & N Lovell.
The Centrals Reserves also played East Geelong and were looking for a far better performance than they put up against Bell Post Hill the week before. The return of Travis Ryan and James Leigh really strengthened this side and the extra height worried East Geelong all day as they just could not cover all of Centrals big men. It wasn’t though the big men who did the damage as the runners found some legs and were able to use the dominance of Centrals talls to control the game and run the lines. The experience of Travis Ryan and Roland Beck really stood out as these two dominated across half forward. As the game wore on Centrals bigger players started to take the marks and they then too made it far too difficult for east to get back in the game with Centrals easy winners by 10 goals.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 16.8 – 104 to East Geelong 6.8 – 44
Goal Kickers:- D Giarrusso 4, T Ryan 4, R Beck 3, J Leigh 2, J Robinson, P Hegarty & C Kelly 1 each.
Best Players:- R Beck, T Ryan, J Leigh, C Kelly, J Robinson, R Alagona & R Quarrier.
Last Modified on 08/05/2010 19:37