With some changes due to injuries and playing Belmont who are directly below Centrals on the ladder the club knew this was a make or break game. It could see Centrals slip down the ladder or would give them a couple of games break on the sixth side. Roland Beck, Joe Pace and Devon Ellis returned to the side but Captain Brendan Chugg and Trent Cole would miss and this would certainly even the contest up even further.
The blustery conditions and the strong wind would not have helped either side as it made it difficult to play good football. Centrals started with the wind and found it hard to kick goals until Aaron Molivas snuck one through off the pack. Craig Hardingham was winning the centre bounces but Belmonts smaller players were the ones getting the ball out and making things difficult for Centrals. Goals to Alistair Burke and Simon Calbert gave Centrals a break but everyone knew it was at least a five goal breeze.
Centrals knew the second quarter was one in which they needed to contain the Belmont runners and Centrals backline held firm with the half back line able to carry the ball out and create opportunities allowing Molivas and Anthony Kitchen to goal against the wind. Centrals seemed to lift and Damian Galle marked strongly to goal and then when Burke kicked a great goal Centrals seemed to have Belmonts measure. Finally Belmont kicked a goal late in the quarter but Centrals went into half time with an 11 to 2 break.
It was a good lead in the conditions knowing they had the wind again in the third and a chance to really put the game out of Belmonts reach. It was all out attack but with no real result up forward. The backline in Shaun Simmonds, Dave Kennedy, Sean Cornish and the effervescent David Todaro were really on top and this finally allowed Centrals forwards to kick five goals for the quarter to have a 14 goal lead at the last break.
Belmont kicked a quick goal to start the last quarter as they attacked continuously but the lead was far too great and it took Centrals until the last few minutes to register a score kicking a couple of late points but it made no difference to the overall result. The work of young Devon Ellis was a delight to watch as he progresses his football with the senior team.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 18.12 – 120 to Belmont 8.6 - 54
Goal Kickers:- A Molivas 4, S Calbert 3, A Kitchen 2, A Burke, D Leatch 2, D Galle 2 & R Cornish 1.
Best Players:- A Molivas, D Todaro, S Calbert, A Burke, R Cornish & L Langfield.
The unbeaten Centrals Reserve Grade side who has yet to be beaten in 2009 knew this game would be no push over either against sixth side Belmont. Centrals started the game looking slow the same as they did in the last game against Thomson and by half time there was not much in it at all. It took the back half everything to keep the running Belmont players out and the likes of Brenton Spiteri and Dale Evans really had to play above their teammates to keep Centrals in front. Ben Foster back from injury was another steadying influence around the ground as was John Ulkowski and Matt Watt. Centrals will need to play much better than the standard shown today to beat the better sides in this competition.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 11.12 – 78 to Belmont 10.9 – 69
Goal Kickers:- M Deluca 3, D Collins 2, D Giarrusso 2, G Cooke, J Cowlishaw & J Ulkowski 1 each.
Best Players:- J Ulkowski, M Watt, D Evans, B Spiteri, B Foster & D Cooper.
Centrals U 18s farewelled one of their players in Ryan Hickey who is heading off overseas to work with his father in a sound fashion thoroughly beating Belmont in a one sides affair. In what was very blustery conditions it was a good team effort and Centrals showed they can play a very good team oriented game sharing the ball well and making sure every player had a chance to be part of the win.
Final Scores:- Werribee Centrals 14.12 – 96 to Belmont 3.7 - 25
Goal Kickers:- R Hickey 5, R Dougherty 2, M Mitoi 2, J Vasijevic, D Steele, J Kontostergious, C Wilson & J Davis 1 each.
Best Players:- J Camilleri, C Wilson, R Hickey, J Davis, M Mitoiu & L Painter.
Centrals are at Bell Post Hill this weekend against the top team and with many players from Werribee & Hoppers Crossing playing at that club we are sure to see a keenly fought contest.
Last Modified on 20/06/2009 22:57