By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals’ perfect start to the season continued with a big win against Lancefield in the Riddell District Football League.
On paper, Centrals had the easiest fixture in the opening two rounds, and it has played out that way with the side sitting on top with a big percentage.
On Saturday, they had a good first half against Lancefield, before getting a bit sloppy in the second.
It didn’t matter, with Centrals winning 29.23 (197)-1.2 (8).
Centrals’ coach Matt Sproule said despite the big win, it was a mixed performance.
“In the first half we were really good,” he said.
“In the second half, it was a bit average. We played like a team that knew they were playing a team that would struggle.
“We naturally switched off in the third. We kicked eight points in a row. ”
Dylan Weir continued his love affair of playing against Lancefield, kicking 12 goals.
He had 10 goals at half-time, before the Tigers double and triple-teamed him. He has 24 goals for the season.
Sproule said it made them find other avenues to goal, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Jimmy Aquilina kicked five goals and the midfielders were also kicking goals.”
David and Mick Callus were among Centrals’ best, along with Daniel Foley.
Having played Rockbank and the Tigers – two teams not expected to feature in the finals – in the opening two rounds, Sproule admits they’ve used the matches to try things ahead of a tougher period.
Melton Centrals have two weeks off, one for Easter and one for the bye, before they face Woodend-Hesket.
It’s a game Sproule said they need to win if they are to challenge to play finals.
“Last year it was 1-1 between the teams,” he said. “We’ve got a tough period in the middle of the year.”
Overall, Sproule said they were in a good place as a club, with plenty of numbers across the board.
In other matches, Diggers Rest won the grand final rematch against Riddell. After an even first half, the Burras kicked away to win 15.9 (94)-7.9 (51).
Matthew Krul was named the Burras’ best.
It was another tough day for Rockbank, on the end of a 49.31 (325)-1.6 (12) loss to Wallan.
Stephen Newton was the sole goalkicker for the Rams, with Mitchell Baumgartner named their best. Matthew Perri kicked 13 goals for the Magpies in the win.
Rupertswood and Macedon were the other winners.
