By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee Centrals have hit back after a slow start to the Geelong and District Football League Smiths Holden Cup season.
There was a bit of uncertainty surrounding the Centurions after back-to-back losses to open the season, but they have won their past two matches to get back on track.
The Centurions had a commanding 38-point win over Belmont Lions at Winter Reserve on Saturday.
Centurions coach Nick Smith admits the season start was less than ideal.
“No one likes to start 0-2,” he said. “It makes the whole pre-season and preparation phase feel a bit shaky. We’re happy to string a couple of wins together. It certainly changes the feeling around the place.”
Leading by 12 points at half-time, Werribee Centrals turned up the heat with a five-goal-to-nil third quarter to open up a 49-point lead by three-quarter time.
Young small forward Daniel Skinner, half-back flanker Jackson Smith and onballer Daryl Chesterman led the way for the Centurions with three goals each.
Smith and Chesterman showed the forwards how to get it done around goals.
The Centurions should have been further in front – a return of 5.8 from 13 scoring shots left a lot to be desired.
“It’s funny – the forwards didn’t finish off as much as we would’ve liked, but the midfielders got it done,” Smith said.
“I think both ‘Jacko’ and ‘Chesty’ kicked three straight, whereas a lot of the forwards contributed to those 22 behinds.
“There’ll be a bit of goalkicking practice this week.”
The onball unit of Chesterman, Brad Carlton and Matthew Miller set the tone for Werribee Centrals.
Daniel Boyd was crafty across half-forward, finishing with two goals, while Ben Leonard also jagged two.
Werribee Centrals will face East Geelong in a clash of two 2-2 sides at Richmond Crescent on Saturday.
The seventh-placed Centurions are in form and ready to close the gap on the leading sides.
“It’s a good time to have a game like this because we’ve got some confidence,” Smith said.
Lance Jenkinson
