WERRIBEE Centrals are in a win-at-all-costs position if they have ambitions of reaching the Geelong and District Football League Smiths Holden Cup finals.
The Centurions’ clash with Corio on the road on Saturday was no exception and they had to overcome a history of poor results at the Shell Oval to keep their season alive.
That was further compounded with injuries to key players Nathan Lovell and Craig Rosenzweig, leaving them without a recognised ruckman for an important game.
But the Centurions overcame all the forces working against them to cruise to an 83-point win.
To cover the big-man role, under-sized Blake Pilkington was moved into the ruck and had to use his spring-heeled leap to advantage, which he did well.
Pilkington actually relished the freedom given a ruckman, working hard at the bounce and covering every blade of grass to pick up a stack of possessions and spark the travelling team with the first two goals of the match. The Centurions were all out in attack from the outset and it was paying
off as player-coach Luke Phipps goaled from the half-forward line before David Leatch made it four unanswered to start the game with the first of his six goals.
The Centurions’ bigger forward line was creating problems.
David Clonan was the focal point at centre half-forward, getting silver service from the likes of Pilkington and Phillip Jones across the midfield.
The Centurions had a nine-goal break at half-time and from there it was only a matter of how far.
SCORES
Seniors: Werribee Centrals 17.13 (115) d Corio 5.2 (32).
