Werribee Centrals traveled to Thomson in Geelong to play one of the sides who may not make finals but over the season will probably determine who plays in finals in 2011. Centrals again had injuries that needed to be covered with Simon Calbert and Craig Rosenzweig being big losses up forward and Shaun Simmons at full back also missing. Centrals started the match well and quickly had three goals on the board before anyone had time to collect their thoughts. Nathan Lovell controlled the centre and the centre players were getting the ball down to Matt Camilleri who was in everything and quickly had kicked four goals. Centrals continued to dominate the quarter kicking 11 goals to one. The half backline was in passable and the tackling and the intensity shown by all players to win the ball at all costs was a highlight of the quarter. Every player was playing their part and it looked how far.
How quickly things change as from then on you would have thought a different side was playing as the intensity dropped off and this allowed Thomson to get back with four goals in the second quarter which Centrals could not answer. Centrals where they were winning the centre and clearing the ball at will, just could not match the Thomson players and this allowed Thomson to start to dictate the type of play. They were able to drag Centrals players out of position and run over them on the overturns creating loose men.
By half time Centrals still had a good lead but needed to play a lot better in the third quarter with the wind if they wanted to win this game. The backline were immediately under pressure as Thomson kept up the pressure and the run as Centrals struggled with their style of play with players continually caught out of position and the forward line not really functioning as they would have liked. With four goals a piece the last quarter would now be telling. Could Centrals regroup and stay in the game against the breeze. Coach David Leatch asked for 25 minutes of intense pressure football from every player and they knew they had to deliver.
When Thomson kicked the first goal everyone thought the last quarter may have been a replica of the last two but when Devon Ellis was the recipient of two 50 metre penalties to put him in the goal square the game was just about won. Two late goals to Anthony Kitchen sealed the win but Centrals would not have been very happy with the drop in their standard after the quarter time break.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 18.10 – 118 to Thomson 12.12 - 84
Goal Kickers:- M Camilleri 5, A Kitchen 3, C Hardingham 2, B Pilkington 2, B Smith, D Hall, V Leung, T Bray, D Ellis & B Chugg 1 each.
Best Players:- S Weatherley, B Smith, M Knight, D Ellis, M Camilleri & S McGuiness.
Centrals Reserves also played Thomson and struggled early with the wind in their faces as Thomson outscored them for the first term. Centrals had a few changes with Steve Nielsen back in and the introduction of new faces in John Tye and Jason Shadur. When it came time for Centrals to use the wind advantage they were able to get back to even through three goals to Steve Nielsen and Paul Hegarty. From this point on it was even but Centrals could never get enough momentum to overcome Thomson who won their first game of the year.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 7.10 – 52 to Thomson 9.8 – 62
Goal Kickers:- S Nielsen 5, P Hegarty & M Keartland 1 each.
Best Players:- R Alagona, J Tye, M DeLuca, S Nielsen & M Keartland.
This week Centrals travel to Belmont to play the Lions for what will be another must win game against a side who is improving all the time and plays well at home.
Last Modified on 14/05/2011 19:48