Werribee Centrals played Corio at Galvin Park knowing a win would cement top spot and a week’s break and a loss would mean fronting up to the qualifying final next Saturday. Centrals welcomed back Travis Johns and Shaun Simmons two of their better players in 2010 for this must win match.
Centrals kicked with the use of a strong wind and quickly had goals on the board as Centrals controlled the centre and were able to kick long and put the Corio backs under pressure. This gave the Centrals forwards in Anthony Kitchen and Blake Pilkington an easy ride for the first quarter of the game. A ten goal quarter was the result with Corio unable to score against the wind.
The second quarter would see if Centrals could run the ball into the breeze and they quickly showed they could do this as Travis Johns & Toby Bray created opportunities with David Todaro and Devon Ellis also pushing the ball forward at every opportunity. Corio were able to kick three but with this wind it was not enough as Centrals kicked away with another nine.
The game was probably won already but Centrals wanted to show they could play out the four quarters as Alistair Burke kicked another goal and Anthony Kitchen was having a field day as he kicked his eighth as the quarter progressed. Centrals just attacked the ball and pushed forward at all costs and this desire to move the ball quickly was paying dividends as they played some quality football.
The last quarter was the quarter Centrals wanted to show they could play out and even though allowing Corio three goals the side continued to run and move the ball right from the last line of defense. Goals to Burke and Kitchen his tenth for the day and a great running goal from the full back Shaun Simmons really showed Centrals desire to run this one out. In the end Corio were no match for Centrals who ran out thirty goal winners.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 34.24 – 238 to Corio 8.2 - 50
Goal Kickers:- A Kitchen 10, A Burke 6, B Pilkington 4 N Lovell 2, R Cornish 2, D Todaro 2, B Chugg 2, M DeLuca, T Johns, J O’Brien, A Bell, D Leatch & S Simmons 1 each.
Best Players:- D Todaro, A Burke, A Kitchen, B Pilkington, A Bell, B Chugg & D Galle.
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 on top with a slightly higher percentage. A big win was needed to ensure this stayed that way. The Reserves also kicked with the aid of the wind and knew they had to start well and kick goals early. This game was about who could kick the most goals with the wind as neither could against the breeze. Centrals could only manage two for the game and Corio one so it was important to kick well with the breeze. This they did ably led by Roland Beck who kicked the first two from the centre of the ground. Centrals were winning the centre bounces and this was giving them a good avenue to goal. Centrals still struggled to run the ball with any authority and it was the bigger players who were getting the ball forward ensuring a winning score was being kicked. Travis Ryan was a welcome addition to the side and he added a little creativity to Centrals line up.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 15.8 – 98 to Corio 9.7 – 61
Goal Kickers:- D Giarrusso 4, P Hegarty 3, R Beck 2, J Pace 2, D Cachia, R Hickey, B Hunter & T Ryan 1 each.
Best Players:- R Beck, R Hickey, T Ryan, L Simpson, P Hegarty & J Pace.
That was the last round for the season and as both Centrals senior sides had good wins they both finished on top and will have the weeks break before commencing their finals campaign on August 28th at St Albans Reserve St Albans in Geelong. The club is hoping for another strong showing with plenty of support so come along and see the locals in action.
Last Modified on 15/08/2010 13:53