By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals pulled off one of the upsets of the Riddell District Football League season with a thrilling win against Wallan on Saturday.
Coming off their best performance of the season, the Centrals continued where they left off on Saturday.
Centrals led by 25 points at half-time but they knew the Magpies would come at them and indeed they got to within a goal on several occasions in the third quarter.
The Magpies hit the front in the last quarter, but a goal from Dylan Weir with three minutes to go gave Centrals back the lead.
They managed to hold on, winning 10.5 (71)-10.10 (70).
Centrals coach Mathew Sproule was thrilled with the win which he said showed how far the side had come this season.
He said they would not have been able to respond and regain the lead earlier in the season.
“We had our chances in the first quarter, before in the second quarter we out-played them and should have been further ahead,” he said.
“We knew they would challenge us and they did challenge us. They were really good in the third quarter.
“Every time they would get within two to three points, we would get a goal. It was important that they didn’t hit the front in the third quarter.”
While the Magpies did hit the front early in the last quarter, Centrals didn’t panic.
It was a snap from star goalkicker Weir with three minutes to go that put Centrals back in front. While Weir only kicked two goals, Sproule was thrilled with his efforts.
“We’ve been working with him to try and look for other teammates,” he said.
“He kicked two goals, but gave off six goal assists. We were rapt with his performance.”
Skipper James Aquilina was one of the benefactors and he kicked five goals, including four in the first quarter.
He was named the Centrals’ best, along with Joseph and Michael Callus, Peter Akech and Samuel Apineru.
Sproule said they could have named as many as 12 players in the best.
The win is Centrals’ second in a row and keeps them in finals’ contention,
While still a chance to play finals, Sproule is realistic about their campaign.
He said the most important thing for him was they continued to improve each week.
“We’ve more confidence, trust and belief,” he said.
“We’re starting to believe in each other and playing together more as a team.
“The tough games don’t stop for us. We thought if we could get one team above us we would be happy.
“There’s the belief that if we can beat one top team, why can’t we beat two or three.”
In other results, Riddell flexed its muscles against Rockbank winning, 27.25 (187)-1.3 (9).
Diggers Rest won its catch-up match with Romsey, 13.12 (90)-11.9 (75). The game was originally meant to be played in round one.
