Werribee Centrals played the Belmont Lions who are improving every week being a young side and Centrals needed to focus on the job at hand from the first bounce after a fade out last week against Thomson. Centrals won the toss and kicked with the use of the strong breeze down the ground and started well with two quick goals to Anthony Kitchen and another to Brendan Chugg streaming out of the centre after Nathan Lovell gave the centre men first use of the ball. It was all Centrals as they found the run that was missing for the last half of the week before and a great mark to Blake Pilkington and a goal and Centrals were six in front at quarter time.
It was Belmonts turn with the wind and they were able to do the same with smart run and use of the ball. It was David Hall who intercepted a pass and was able to run in and goal to give Centrals their only one for the quarter. Belmont attacked but to Centrals credit they were able to keep them out well with excellent work from Shaun Simmons, Shane Weatherley and Brayden Smith who combined well with Mick Knight and Shaun McGuiness to keep Belmonts goals to a minimum.
The game was any ones and Centrals needed to bounce back with the wind in the third. A few changes with David Leatch to full forward and Ryan Quarrier moved onto the ball worked as Quarrier goaled and Leatch started to have an influence in front of goals. Again the back half worked hard and restricted the Belmont players any real avenue to goal with Simmons exceptional at full back. As the quarter progressed Centrals started to get on top with the centre players controlling that space and getting the ball quickly forward giving Leatch plenty of space to move into and he converted well allowing Centrals an eight goal quarter.
Centrals were asked to give everything in the last against the wind and they started to run the ball with authority and allowed David Leatch to again lead into space and he kicked another three for the last quarter into a very strong wind. It could have been far more as the umpires gave Centrals forwards nothing especially Anthony Kitchen who was double tagged all quarter.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 19.16 – 130 to Belmont 6.5- 35
Goal Kickers:- D Leatch 7, A Kitchen 3, B Chugg 2, A Bell, B Pilkingham, D Hall, R Quarrier, D Galle, N Lovell & C Hardingham 1 each.
Best Players:- S Simmons, B Smith, S Weatherley, B Chugg, D Leatch, T Bray & B Chugg.
The Centrals Reserves also played Belmont and after a couple of shockers were looking to get some pride back in the side. It was a scrappy game as the skills were not up to the normal standard of a good reserves game but Centrals were able to gain some momentum especially from Matt DeLuca who was in everything up forward and David Todaro who was back from injury used his pace to advantage. Rick Alagona across half back combined well with Luke Simpson and kept the Lions at bay as Centrals were able to gain an advantage by half time. After the break Nick Byrne started to come into the game and used his height well as did Peter Grey and these two seemed to give Centrals an advantage which Belmont could not counter. John Tye in his second game continues to improve and Nathan Beasley had his best game for the year. Perhaps the tide is turning for the side and the improvement will continue in the weeks to come.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 10.14 – 74 to Blemont 2.9 – 21
Goal Kickers:- M DeLuca 3, D Todaro 2, S Nielsen, J Pace, D Lea, J Tye & M Keartland 1 each.
Best Players:- R Alagona, D Todaro, M DeLuca, P Grey, J Tye, L Simpson & N Byrne.
Centrals have a bye due to interleague commitments before the big game at Galvin Park on 4th June against the unbeaten Bell Post Hill which is also Past Players Day at the club.
Last Modified on 21/05/2011 19:28