Tara Murray
Melton Centrals went back to what worked from them last season as it turned to the table to get their first win of the Riddell District Football League season.
After a tough couple of weeks, which included back-to-back 100 point losses, Centrals took home the points against Lancefield, which was also aiming for its first win of the season.
Centrals coach Mathew Sproule said it was nice to be able to turn things around.
“It was a good win,” he said. “Some reward after the last two weeks.
“Round one we were good and the last two weeks were so poor. There had been a real lack of transition and they [the opposition] were coming from our forward line to their forward line without us touching the ball.
“Our clearances were poor against Wallan as well.”
Sproule and co-coach Jake Thorton-Gielen decided after those two big losses to go back to basics.
He said they were finding that the things they had implemented in the off season weren’t quite working for them.
“It didn’t suit the group that we had,” he said. “Credit to Jake he implemented a lot of those things in the off season but realised they weren’t working.
Centrals led early on Saturday before the Tigers reduced the margin in the second quarter to about a goal.
Sproule said they were starting to think not again, but the playing group was able to respond and had control of the game for the rest of it, winning 14.10 (94)-7.8 (50).
The coach said it was his leaders that really showed the way.
“There was good pressure by Jake Thornton-Gielen, James Roberts, Jake Armistead and John Ferri.
“The third quarter we played some really good footy and were able to keep our heads in the game.
“Our forwards worked well together as well.”
Evan Donoghue was named Centrals best having taken about a dozen intercept marks while playing at centre half back.
Sproule said while Donoghue had played in the ruck last season they were keen to settle him in defence and he’d been really good for them this year.
Milan Savic took the ruck role on Saturday against the Tigers and was outstanding. Sproule said they wouldn’t see much of Savic this year, due to his commitments with the Melton Thoroughbreds in the Big V competition.
While happy with the win, Sproule is aware that the Tigers weren’t at their best with a number of key players out including Tom Waters.
Centrals have this weekend off with interleague before they face Riddell, the only unbeaten team in the competition,
“We then face Kyneton, Macedon and Woodend-Hesket, three teams that are near us on the ladder,” Sproule said.
“We would have played the top four sides in the first five weeks of the season.”
In other results, Diggers Rest beat Woodend-Hesket, 13.10 (88)-5.7 (37).
Brodie Myers kicked five for the Burras, with Campbell Wearne named their best.
