Tara Murray
Point Cook Centrals showed they meant business in the first week of the Western Region Football League division 2 finals, putting rival teams on notice.
Undefeated this season, the Centrals were at their best against Parkside on Saturday in their semi final with a grand final spot on the line on Saturday.
Centrals controlled the game in the first half, before continuing that dominance in the second half to win, 16.9 (105)-0.11 (11).
Centrals’ coach Dean Chambers said it was the sort of performance they had been working towards all season.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “A lot of hard work has been put in and it’s a reward for all the effort we have put in.
“We now have the week off. Collectively as a group we have played some really good football.
“We played without any standards across the board, which is what we have been looking for all year, an across the board effort.”
Chambers said there was a breeze favouring one end, which they used to their advantage in the first quarter with five goals.
They backed it up with another five goals and restricting the Magpies to just one goal, with the game all but over at half time.
It gave the Centrals the chance to rest some guys in the last quarter.
“In the last quarter we put a lot of guys in cotton wool,” he said. “It gives other guys chances in different positions as you never know what will happen.
“We will now sit back and watch the others thrash it out in a semi final.”
Nathan Williams kicked five goals in the win, Lachlan Grant chipped in with four goals.
Chambers said they couldn’t have imagined the sort of season they had when he signed on as coach.
“To be 19-0 is a fantastic effort and we have to keep it going now,” he said.
“Our senior women are through to the grand final as well. We wanted to make a cultural shift of leaving the egos at the door.
“That’s our mantra and everyone has been fantastic. We spoke to the players after the game and told them to soak up the feeling.
“There’s still work to be done.”
Meanwhile, Wyndhamvale’s season is over.
The Falcons lost their semi final to North Footscray, 13.18 (96)-10.8 (68). After trailing at quarter time time, the Devils to hit the front and build the lead throughout the rest of the game.
The Devils now face Parkside for a spot in the grand final.
