Werribee Centrals played the top team in Bannockburn in what was the game of the round in the GDFL at Galvin Park on Saturday. Centrals sitting in fourth spot had a lot to play for in front of a very large crowd of supporters as this would be their biggest test so far this season. Bannockburn was without ex Geelong star Peter Ricardi so everyone was hoping for an even contest.
Bannockburn jumped Centrals and were winning the centre and kicked away kicking seven goals to two in the first quarter after centrals kicked the first goal through Anthony Kitchen. Bannockburn appeared to be quicker and the size of the Bannockburn forwards was worrying the Centrals defense who were struggling with them with the number of times and the pace the ball was coming into their forward line. A late goal to Anthony Kitchen ended the quarter but it still looked as though Centrals were in for a dirty day.
Centrals had a chance to kick the first goal of the second but Kitchen missed from close range and it was left for Dean Cachia to mark strongly to kick start the Centrals revival. The move of Adam Schembri into the ruck seemed to be giving Centrals better use of the ball and this was creating many more opportunities with Trent Cole snapping a great goal and Cachia again taking a strong mark and goaling. The pressure being placed around the ball and on the ball carrier was intense from both sides but it seemed Centrals were now starting to hold their own in the contests. This was enabling them to continue to work the ball forward and two frees and fifty metre penalties to Centrals enabled them to get even closer with goals to David Leatch and Alistair Burke as Centrals closed to 2 points. A goal to Brendan Chugg and another to Luke Montgomery put Centrals in front only to see Bannockburn goal on the siren and rest the lead back. Centrals would have been happy with the quarter as it was a real turn around from the first and got them back in the game.
Now it was a contest and the crowd was waiting to see if Centrals could keep up the pressure on the top team and they quickly knew that both teams were not going to give an inch but it was Centrals through Dean Cachia again who got the goal. Bannockburn had their chances but kicked a couple of points allowing Centrals a chance to gain the lead when Kitchen marked and goaled and Simon Calbert making the most of the heavy tackling of the smaller players scooped up a loose ball and also goaled.
Adam Schembri came of for a rest for the last quarter and it became a real arm wrestle to the siren giving Centrals a 14 point margin.
Could the younger and smaller Centrals side maintain the momentum was the question and as Dean Cachia kicked his third from a strong mark and another a minute later perhaps the question was answered. The drive from the centre line players in Leatch, Burke and Aaron Molivas who were combining well with David Kennedy, Laurence Langfield, David Todaro and Luke Montgomery were keeping the talented Bannockburn side out of the game as Centrals stretched their lead further when Kitchen was awarded a free and converted. The run of the game was all Centrals and except for Bannockburn kicking the last three goals as the game wound down Centrals had maintained their attack on the ball and won the contest in the best possible way.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 16.10 - 106 to Bannockburn 13.13- 91
Goal Kickers:- D Cachia 5, A Kitchen 4, T Cole, D Carlton, A Molivas, A Burke, B Chugg, S Calbert & L Montgomery 1 each.
Best Players:- A Schembri, A Burke, A Kitchen, D Todaro, B Chugg, L Montgomery, S Calbert & R Cornish.
The Centrals Reserves also played Bannockburn who are second and again knew this would be a competitive match and wanted to keep their unbeaten record intact quickly got on the board through hard work in the centre of the ground. Jack OBrien and Damian Galle were having a good game as were Mathew DeLuca and Luke Simpson who were setting up many forward moves. Grant Cooke at centre half forward was a clear avenue to goal and was bring the younger players into the game. It was seven goals to three at half time so still anyones.
Nathan Reschke was rucking well but the third quarter was still even with neither side getting a real break. Centrals had been running their games out well and this was no exception as they put on four goals to run out solid winners
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 15.10 - 100 to Bannockburn 9.12 - 66
Goal Kickers:- D Collins 3, R Quarrier 3, D Galle 2, M Deluca 2, A Pappas 2, D Giarrusso, R Beck & G Cooke 1 each.
Best Players:- L Simpson, D Galle, N Reshke, M Deluca, R Quarrier & J OBrien.
Centrals U 18s game was an even affair all day with no more than a couple of goals separating the teams and Centrals were having trouble in keeping up with the faster Bannockburn side. With a lead of only a point at three quarter time the game was there for either side to win. Bannockburn just wanted it more and ran out winners by four points. Perhaps for better kicking by Centrals the result may have been different.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 7.12 - 54 to Bannockburn 9.4 - 58
Goal Kickers:- R Dougherty 2, R Hickey 4, D Gamble 2, J Davis 1.
Best Players:- D Gamble, J Davis, D Steele, C Novinec, C Wilson & J Camilleri.
Centrals meet another top team in North Geelong this week at North Geelong in a must win game for both clubs. Its not far down the freeway so come along and see some great local footy.