It was the last round of home and away matches for the GDFL on Saturday and Centrals were at home to Corio in a must win game for a couple of reasons. Firstly to cement their position in the five but after four straight losses needed to get some confidence and structure back into their game plan. Luck as well as Michael Cassidy returned after many weeks out with an injured hand and this would add some bite to the on ball division. Centrals lost the toss and kicked against the wind and quickly had three goals on the board through the good work of Brayden Montebruno around the packs. After this flurry the game quickly became even as Corio bounced back with the breeze to be just a couple down at quarter time. It was Centrals turn with the wind and the early part of quarter you would have thought it was the other way around as Centrals took the long way home. Finally someone decided the more direct route was the best and Centrals through Cassidy started to pepper the goals and the scores came. A late goal to Callem Novenic was a stunner and shows what the young players can do when allowed.
After the break Centrals found it hard to hit a target and started to just bang away allowing Corio to clear the ball quickly and turn defense into attack many times. Tom Colliver going to half forward proved a good move as he kicked one of Centrals few for the quarter and the pace and agility of Matt Walson on a wing kept Centrals in the game.
Centrals needed the win and it showed as they took control in the last quarter with the wind and with Tom Colliver marking well and kicking well ably assisted by Luke Salmond & Michael Cassidy out of the square were able to kick seven goals to run out big winners and hopefully will look forward to their finals campaign next week.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 20.17 – 137 to Corio 7.8 - 50
Goal Kickers:- T Montebruno 5, B Montebruno 3, J Blushke 3, N Lovell 2,M Cassidy 2, T Colliver 2, L Salmond, C Novenic & T Bray 1 each.
Best Players:- M Walson, M Cassidy, P Jones, C Novenic, L Salmond, S McGuiness & B Montebruno.
The Reserves game was also against Corio who Centrals have not beaten this season and knew if they did not would again play them next week in the Qualifying final. It was Corio who looked like they needed the win more and played that way as Centrals looked slow and flatfooted and were being beaten to the ball. Slowly though Centrals got back in the game and by three quarter time there was only four points in it and Centrals had the wind in the last. It was time to reverse all those past results but yet again Corio just wanted the ball more and were prepared to back up their mates much more than Centrals thus resulting in yet another disappointment for this playing group.
For all concerned the news on Karl Blade who was injured just before the final siren is good and we should be able to update everyone soon.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 11.7 – 73 to Corio 13.7 – 85
Goal Kickers:- C Wilson 4, J Drohomirecki 3, C Chesterman, R Quarrier, L Cachia & N Beasley 1 each.
Best Players:- C Chesterman, C Wilson, R Quarrier, N Beasley, N Byrne & K Hussain.
The Werribee Hyundai Colts side played North Geelong a side who gave them a hiding only a few weeks ago and again looked much better and were able to turn the tables on the North boys with a sound win at Galvin Park.
Centrals enter the finals and play an elimination final next Saturday at St Albans Reserve, St Albans Road Geelong next week against Winchelsea and it will be a very tough game on a big wide ground.
Last Modified on 17/08/2013 20:27