Tara Murray
A real sense of belief is starting to come for Melton Centrals in the Riddell District Football League.
Having been one of the bottom sides for a number of years, Centrals are starting to see results that they haven’t seen before.
On Saturday, Centrals put themselves in the finals conversation with an upset win against Romsey.
Centrals coach Mathew Sproule said the group was just willing to work hard, week in, week out and they were seeing the results.
He said he wasn’t sure what he was walking into when he returned to the club, but has been pleasantly surprised.
“We have won four of five now and the other game we were up by one point against Diggers Rest at Diggers Rest at half time,” he said.
“I’m not sure the last time we did this. I don’t think we’ve beaten Romsey and Riddell in the same year, I don’t think we have beaten Riddell at all.
“The last five weeks have been really good.
“The belief in this group is amazing. They believe they are good enough.”
Sproule said they weren’t playing the prettiest football to watch, but the playing group continues to work hard and doesn’t give up.
He said on Saturday, there were a couple of occasions where they could have easily been blown away, but there weren’t.
Centrals kicked the only goal of the final quarter to win, 9.7 (61)-7.12 (54).
Both sides went into the game missing plays and faced tough conditions with a strong wind.
Sproule said both teams had patches of good football.
“Both teams had momentum in the game,” he said.
“We started well and they kicked two goals late to level the scores and in the second quarter they jumped out to a three goal lead before we got three goals late.
“The third quarter was the opposite and the fourth quarter was just a grind. They had the breeze in the final quarter scores were level at three quarter time.
“They missed a couple of opportunities in the final quarter, but we worked our butts off.”
Dylan Jobson kicked three goals for Centrals, while Jake Armistead kicked two goals.
Sproule said it was the usual suspects that led the way including Jobson, Armistead, Will Thornton-Gielen and Evan Donoghue.
Centrals now sit percentage outside the top five, one of three teams equal on points.
Sproule said Saturday’s match was like a grand final for them, giving them some hope.
“We have a tough run home, we will have to beat some of them,” he said.
“We play Wallan at Wallan, Macedon, Riddell and Diggers Rest. We need to win three of those games, maybe two might be enough.
“The club has turned the corner.”
It other results, the Western Rams lost to Wallan, 22.15 (147)-1.2 (8).
Cain Shaw was named the Rams best.
Riddell snuck home against Macedon, Woodend-Hesket got the points against Lancefield.
