WERRIBEE Centrals travelled to Bannockburn this week to play the topside of the competition in the Geelong and Districts Football League, but went down by 14 points, 12.23.95 to 11.15.81.
The Centrals were without coach Cori Andrews through injury, and were also missing Brayden Smith and Warren Foley, which gave Rick Alagona, Jack O’Brien and under-18 player David Todaro the chance to play at senior level.
Bannockburn, a very quick side, started the game with pace but the Centrals were kicking with the aid of the breeze and were very hard at the ball.
Werribee got their first goal through Tim Dusink, who snapped from one from a pack.
The game did not slow as both sides ran the ball well into their forward lines but both defences stood their ground well.
Centrals Joe Pace and Adam Schembri were excellent in defence and made it very difficult for Bannockburn’s key forwards.
Damien Galle and Jack O’Brien were seeing plenty of the ball as they went into the packs and produced some very good turnovers.
In the second term, Bannockburn had the breeze and were able to work the ball forward, but it was Ryan Cornish who caused a turnover to Laurence Langfield that allowed Anthony Kitchen to goal, keeping Centrals within contention.
Going into half-time, Bannockburn held a three-point lead, but things got worse for the Centrals at the start of the third, as Adam Schembri had to leave the ground.
It was a torrid last quarter as both sides knew they had to win the tough balls and both went at it very hard with some hard bumps handed out.
Centrals tried hard to the end but could just not bridge the gap and Bannockburn got a late goal to hold out for the win.
The Centrals will hold their heads high, as it was their best performance for the year against the top side on the ladder.
Werribee Centrals A grade side played Bannockburn in round 14 for the Geelong and District Netball League on Saturday, and won a comprehensive victory, 58-25.
A slow start for Werribee Centrals with two of their starting seven players missing again this week made little difference, as Belinda Karlecik from B Grade stepped up to play in goals alongside Mickayla Ward.
Bannockburn kept up with Werribee in the first quarter only allowing Centrals a lead of two goals.
Danni Stewart came on into the centre position and provided some drive down the court as Centrals stepped up their pace with some fast balls feeding into their goalers. By half-time Centrals A grade were leading 26 to 14.
Centrals continued on with their fast pace around the court in the second half with some good defensive pressure by Jenni Gardner, Amanda Wilson and Noni McClure which meant the Centrals claimed the game with ease in the end.
