Centurions begin back-half proceedings against Eagles

WERRIBEE Centrals are expecting to return from the bye week tomorrow (Saturday, June 15) afternoon refreshed and ready to hit the ground running according to the side’s playing coach.

Rhyce Prismall says his side has exceeded the expectations of those outside the four walls at Galvin Park, but maintained the Centurions’ eight win and one loss start to 2024 was not unachievable in their own eyes.

“We’re very happy, which is a bit of an understatement, because I don’t think too many people would have picked us to be in the position we are in right now,” Prismall said.

“Internally, we probably know we underachieved last year, so we’ve got a pretty strong belief we’re going as good as we should be.

“We could potentially be 9-0 or even 5-4 with the amount of close ones we had early in the season, but we certainly believe we deserve to be where we are at the moment.”

After securing a two-goal win over the then-undefeated Belmont Lions a fortnight ago, Centrals will get another chance to measure itself against emerging premiership contender East Geelong at home.

The Eagles split its two games with Centrals in 2023, with the latter pulling out a six-point win in Round 6 and the former returning serve with a 90-point drubbing to end Werribee’s finals hopes in Round 17.

Prismall said he expected a tough contest against arguably “the best team in the competition” at the moment.

“East Geelong and Inverleigh have probably been the two most in-form sides in the comp since I took up the coaching role three or four seasons ago.

“A couple years ago, East finished the top of the ladder then went out in straight sets, and I think a lot of people are quick to write sides off when they do that, but we really rate them.

“We respect their structures and the way they go about it and their similarities to us, but it’ll come down to a 22v22 effort and they’re the best defensive side in the comp, so it won’t be an easy one for us but the boys will be chomping at the bit to get back out there.”

Following reconstruction works on the main pavilion at Galvin Park, the Centurions will also have the luxury of playing six of its next nine games at home.

The Centurions spoke about the draw at the beginning of the campaign, and reiterated the importance of a strong first half of the season.

Werribee Centrals and East Geelong will begin their game at 2pm, before Prismall’s side travels to Inverleigh to take on the reigning premiers next weekend.