Werribee Centrals travelled to Corio for round seven of the GDFL. Never easy at Corio’s ground and with the wet weather and the muddy, slippery ground conditions it did not make it any easier. Coach David Leatch pulled out of the side on Saturday morning which allowed Ryan Cornish to be recalled. A new player in Adam Bell from Darley played his first game for Centrals in this match and acquitted himself very well.
The game started in the rain but with two games on the ground before the main one the ground was very muddy and slippery and did not enable either side to gain any momentum out of the centre which meant it became very scrambly in the centre mud area. Corio through Mark Stewart seemed to gain some some advantage in the centre but Centrals backline led by Shaun Simmons, Adam Bell and Brayden Smith kept them out for most of the quarter. At the other end of the ground Alistair Burke, Toby Bray, Travis Ryan and Anthony Kitchen were able to put goals on the board for Centrals giving then a five goal break at quarter time.
Centrals seemed to relax at the start of the second which allowed Corio back into the game as their intensity at the football was far better than Centrals as they outplayed the ladder leaders. Good running from Adam Bell forcing the ball forward allowed Centrals to kick their first goal late in the quarter and with further goals to Brendan Chugg and Craig Rosenzwieg Centrals maintained their lead.
The third quarter was a real stalemate as neither side could score with the ball on the ground and not making any quick progress into each others forward lines. Finally Kitchen was able to mark and kick straight and quickly after a great snap from a boundary throw in from Simon Calbert saw Centrals gain some momentum at the end of the quarter.
Centrals had a big lead going into the last but again Corio showed Centrals how to obtain procession and move the ball in the conditions as they dominated the first ten minutes but again it was Centrals who were rewarded with a goal as Kitchen marks and goals. As the quarter went on Centrals seemed to be able to find space where they could not before but still could not convert many of their opportunities. A late goal from a mark to Blake Pilkington saw Centrals home but not that convincingly considering the ladder positions of the two teams.
Centrals now play the one of the big improvers of the GDFL in Anakie at Anakie this Saturday which will be another test for the club.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 16.22 – 118 to Corio 7.8 - 50
Goal Kickers:- A Kitchen 5, C Rosenzweig 2, A Burke 2, B Chugg, T Bray, T Johns, S Calbert, D Hall, B Pilkington & K Tietze 1 each.
Best Players:- S Simmons, D Ellis, A Burke, B Chugg, D Todaro & A Bell.
The Centrals Reserves also played Corio and started well in the wet conditions with the relatively dry ball and kicking four unanswered goals before Corio registered on the scoreboard. Roland Beck, Alex Hamilton who was doing the ruck work and Dale Collins showed the others how to play wet weather football. As the game went on Centrals continued to dominate even though the scoreboard may not have reflected that with the smaller players now playing a strong run on game. Rick Alagona, Matty DeLuca and Cameron Barillaro created many opportunities which allowed Centrals to run out sound winners.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 11.14 – 80 to Corio 4.0 – 24
Goal Kickers:- D Giarrusso 2, M DeLuca 2, P Hegarty 2, R Beck, R Beck, A Hamilton, B Hunter, D Collins & D Cachia 1 each.
Best Players:- R Beck, R Alagona, D Gamble, D Collins, C Barillaro & J Pace.
The club now looks forward for the next game against Anakie at Anakie as the season unfolds for them. So come out to Anakie and see some great local footy.
Last Modified on 29/05/2010 19:41