Werribee Centrals were in another must win game against Inverleigh at Inverleigh. A win mean’t the side would maintain the top ladder spot a loss would mean dropping off the top. Simple really and Centrals knew they do not play the Inverleigh ground all that well and every year struggle to beat the home side. This game needed to be different. Centrals needed to make changes to last weeks team as injuries again mean’t some senior players could not be played. James Leigh came in for his first senior game since the 2001 Premiership game along with Dale Collins, Jace Walters and Luke Simpson for his first game also.
Centrals needed to start well with the aid of a breeze but could just not get the ball forward at all as the centre square group were being well held. It was left to Simon Calbert roaming the half forward line to create space and kick their first goal. The Inverleigh defense were not giving Centrals any space but Centrals tall forward line was creating problems as James Leigh marked and was able to give the ball off to Anthony Kitchen who kicked Centrals second. A free to Matt De Luca resulting in a goal gave Centrals a break and with David Todaro kicking one close to the end of the quarter Centrals held a small lead.
The start to the second was a stalemate as neither side could break free even though Centrals centre line players were far too loose and was leaving it up to the backmen to keep Inverleigh out. Luckily for Centrals Inverleigh did not have a focal point up forward to kick a goal or they may have been much closer. Blake Pilkington was using his leap and pace across the centre of the ground to try and give Centrals a springboard to attack but Inverleigh were on top until the last part of the quarter when Centrals found some space and kicked two late goals.
Simon Calbert continued his great form into the third quarter kicking another great goal but he did not have much support and the whole side needed to lift as there was no real run or manning up which allowed Inverleigh to really dictate the tempo of the game. Again late goals to Calbert and Brendan Chugg kept Inverleigh at bay.
The last quarter Centrals were able to kick the first goal but then it was all Inverleigh as Centrals allowed to them to run the ball without any pressure which mean’t the back half were again under pressure. It was left to Brad Bunworth, Adam Bell and Jace Walters to keep them out and hold on for a win. The side would not have been happy with the way they played and the way they allowed the opposition to dictate the last quarter again this week. They will need to play much better in the coming weeks to maintain a position in the finals to the last day.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 14.12 – 96 to Inverleigh 10.10 - 70
Goal Kickers:- S Calbert 5, A Kitchen 3, N Lovell 2, M DeLuca 2, D Todaro & B Chugg 1 each.
Best Players:- S Calbert, B Pilkington, B Bunworth, A Bell, K Tietze & J Walters.
Centrals reserves also needed to win and win well as the top four sides in this competition are all on the same points and only separated by percentage. Centrals were third with a slightly lower percentage. A big win was needed. Centrals had to cover injuries as well and it gave the chance for Jason Hickey to play in the same team as his son Ryan. A great achievement and proud moment for the family. Centrals started well with Joe Pace making sure they moved the ball quickly and goals came easily to hold a six goal lead at quarter time. With the assistance of Roland Beck, Dean Cachia and Dean Giarrusso Centrals kicked even further away by the end of the second.
Centrals smaller players in Ryan Quarrier, Ryan Hickey, Anthony DiCampli and Nathan Beasley were able to run the ball at will and this was giving Centrals forwards many opportunities which they were taking. The margin just got bigger as the game progressed as Centrals ran out thirty goal winners.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 28.11 – 181 to Inverleigh 0.1 – 1
Goal Kickers:- D Giarrusso 7, D Cachia 5, R Beck 5, R Quarrier 2, L Aquilina, N Beasley, P Grey, A Hamilton, J Hickey, R Hickey, D Lea, L O’Malley & J Robinson 1 each.
Best Players:- R Beck, R Quarrier, D Cachia, J Pace, R Hickey & D Giarrusso.
The last round for the season is against Corio at Galvin Park and again Centrals need to win to retain that coveted top spot on the ladder and make a great start to the finals for 2010.
Last Modified on 07/08/2010 19:28