Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals’ ability to run out games well has got the side off to a strong start in the Geelong and District Football League.
The Centurions now sit 4-1 on the ladder after a solid win against Winchelsea on Saturday.
While happy with the start to the season, Centurions coach Rhyce Prismall said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“There aren’t many complaints, but we haven’t played too many of the top teams yet,” he said.
“We haven’t played our best football throughout the whole game but we have finished well.
“We trailed in every game at half time until the weekend and then ran over teams.
“We’re really fit and have shown some resilience. I can’t complain and would have taken 4-1 at the start of the season.”
Prismall said they had looked at changing up their pregame routine and how they go about things to try and get the start right.
He said he couldn’t knock the playing group’s attitude, it just wasn’t clicking early on.
On Saturday against Winchelsea, the Centurions trailed by 10 points at quarter time before leading by eight points at the main break.
The margin extended to 18 points at the final break.
Winchelsea fought hard in the final quarter but the Centurions did enough, winning 13.15 (93)-11.17 (83).
Primsall said it was a pretty solid performance from his side.
“We really prepared well with opposition analysis and team specific style they play,” he said. “We trained for that and they did exactly what we expected.
“We had enough of our ball. The scoreboard flattered them, we should have won by more.
“They got some late goals and made the scoreboard more flattering.”
Joshua MacDonald kicked three goals for the Centurions, while Kai Gomes Pattiyage, Bryce Linehan-Cunningham and Carmelo Saliba kicked two goals each.
Primsall said rucks Patrick Daley and Zac O’Halloran made the most of Winchelsea not having a tall team, while Jack Stephenson had a strong game at half back and Gomes Pattiyage looked very dangerous up forward.
The win had the Centurions sitting in fourth spot on 16 points, one game behind leaders the Belmont Lions.
The Centurions this week face third placed Bannockburn on Saturday.
Primsall said they were looking forward to some tough challenges the next few weeks.
“To play finals you have to beat the teams that are also there,” he said. “Bannockburn is a team that should play finals.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and hopefully play well. They are a young team and like us they like to run, it should be an exciting match up.”
In the netball, Werribee Centrals had a 39-25 loss to Winchelsea.
Olivia Edwards shot 12 goals for the Centurions.
The Centurions sit in seventh spot.
