It was the Game of the Round in the GDFL as Centrals played East Geelong in what was a battle for third place on the ladder and was a must win game for both clubs. It was also Sponsors day as the club welcomed their sponsors for the day and allowed them to become a part of the games both footy and netball. It was always going to be tough with the bitterly cold wind and the threat of heavy rain in the later part of the day. East won the toss and kicked with the heavy wind as Centrals used Nathan Lovell as a spare man behind the ball in defense and Phil Jones in the ruck for the second week running. Based on the strength of the breeze Centrals did a good job in holding East to two goals and only a slender lead. Centrals then had the use of the wind and just could not get any system going as they went forward and East forced them wide where they struggled to get back to the goal front. If it wasn’t for Phil Jones the seven point deficit at half time could have been far more as too many players just sat back and watched perhaps hoping the wind would do their job.
The third quarter was all East as they were allowed to run loose but their poor kicking and often poor options allowed centrals to keep in touch on the scoreboard and a late goal against the tide made the difference only ten points.
Then the rain came and how it came which put a whole different complexity on the game as the wind dropped and the ground became covered with water making it difficult to maintain the players skills. East adapted better probably due to their obvious better endeavour and want for the win than Centrals. This allowed East to kick four goals in the last and if not for Easts poor kicking in front of goal the difference would have been far more. Centrals will need to regroup and be more accountable to each other as they now face an uncertain time ahead and could lose their finals spot all together.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 8.2 – 50 to East Geelong 9.16 - 70
Goal Kickers:- S Rathbone 2, N Lovell, B McNicol, T Bray, S Weatherley, P Jones & L Phipps 1 each.
Best Players:- P Jones, L Phipps, B McNicol, L Salmond & C Brierty.
The Reserves game was no different as East Geelong needed the win to get into the final five and Centrals to maintain that coverted third spot. It was also Roland Becks 300th game with the club and he must be congratulated for such a great effort considering he went to Lara for a couple of years to play in a higher grade. Centrals started with the wind and made excellent use of it with a five goal to none first quarter but then just stopped the good running game they had used to great advantage and allowed East back into the game over the next two quarters. The final quarter with East kicking with the wind would need Centrals to do something special to get out of this one. The quarter was played at an increased tempo as both clubs did not allow each other any space and it became a real pack game. As it was Centrals were able to scramble a goal against the wind and hold on for a great win in the conditions.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 7.8 – 50 to East Geelong 5.12 – 42
Goal Kickers:- L Cachia 3, L Speziale 2, A McDonald & C Chesterman 1 each.
Best Players:- L Cachia, A Bell, C Chesterman, A McDonald, R Beck, K Blade & D Todaro.
The Werribee Hyundai Colts side played top team Queenscliff and found some form and ran them for all the game to only go down by a couple of goals in a very good effort as they played a couple of U 16s as well. Some of the football showed the club this group have some great abilities and will hopefully come through and play seniors next year.
Centrals have another very tough game against Inverleigh at Inverleigh in what is now a must win game to maintain their position in the final five and will be hoping to see a return of a few injured players to bolster the ranks. Will be another must watch game.
Last Modified on 03/08/2013 19:43