Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals aren’t getting ahead of themselves despite a strong start to the Geelong and District Football League season.
The Centurions have four wins from their first six matches, just one less than what they had for all of last season.
Centurions president Chris Kopelke said the focus of the side this season was to build the foundations for the future.
“We’re getting respect from the opposition,” he said. “We’re playing a different brand of football.
“The depth is there and the quality has strengthened up in all of our sides. The skills have improved and we’re playing some good football.
“It’s fantastic the way we are going about it.”
Kopelke was quick to praise their coaching group saying there was so much respect for the coaches and they had lifted the standards.
On Saturday, the Centurions knocked off East Geelong. Kopelke said the side was one of the premiership favourites heading into the season.
There was not much between the two sides all day, with less than two goals separating the teams at the breaks.
Two goals to one in the final quarter sealed a 16.6 (102)-14.12 (96).
Kopelke said it was a perfect day to play footy, with not much wind around.
“The pressure was on from us,” he said. “ It was a beautiful day to play footy and they are a skilful side.
“We put a lot of pressure on them and we had quite a good day.”
Josh MacDonald and Ryan Young kicked three goals each for the Centurions
Daryl Chesterman, Bradley Carlton and Josh Sutton were named their best.
It was a good day for the Centurions with all three men’s football sides getting wins.
Their reserves knocked off East Geelong, which had won 31 games straight leading into the match.
The Centurions have a bye this week.
Sitting 4-2 and fourth and with players still to come back in, there’s plenty of upside for the side.
Kopelke said they wanted to continue to build throughout the season.
“The level of competition across the competition has gone up,” he said.
“Our boys never give up.
“We’re 4-2 and very happy. The games we’ve lost we know how we lost them and we know how we can improve.
“The crowds are up and we’re getting more people to home games which is really good.”
On the netball courts, the Centurions A-grade side suffered a 28-26 loss to East Geelong.