Chris Gilham speaks on WRFL’s status, key players

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham believes Division 1 of the WRFL is “really healthy” singing the praises of rival clubs as his own side received a massive boost.

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham believes the WRFL’s top tier is its most competitive in several years.

Gilham’s side might sit four games clear at the top of the Division 1 ladder but he insists the gap between the top and bottom teams looks very different to years gone by.

On Saturday, Districts accounted for last placed Hoppers Crossing by 35 points, 15.12 (102) to 10.7 (67).

And Gilham was quick to sing the praise of rivals clubs describing the competition’s current status as “really healthy”.

“In terms of competitiveness, it’s been a close as it has in years. Every week is game on,” he said.

“There was a lot of negative talk at the start of the season when some clubs (Deer Park and St Albans) moved onto a different competition.

“Point Cook Centrals have come up and been fantastic, they outplayed us last week. If you don’t turn up to play you’re going to be beaten.

“Look at Yarraville for example, they started really slow and now they look like they’re going to play finals. It shows everyone how close it is.

“We were fortunate enough to kick seven of the first eight goals on the weekend but after that it was a really competitive game of footy.

“It’s going to be a great finals series this year and we can’t wait to be involved. Whoever plays better on the day is going to win games, nothing is going to come easy.”

Werribee Districts’ Daniel Schibeci. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Gilham’s side showcased its flexibility forward of centre against the Warriors with seven different goalkickers led by Josh Mould with five.

With leading goalkicker Lachlan Rainbow on the sidelines and Trent Lee held goalless at the weekend, Districts side were forced to look in different places.

“We’re lacking personnel up forward at the moment but it’s not a bad thing,” Gilham said.

“We’ve got five guys who have kicked over 20 goals this season, and a couple more who could join them in the next couple of weeks, we haven’t really had that big goalkicker this season.

“Josh is usually a mid-forward and it was his chance to take the opportunities in front of goal on Saturday.”

Former AFL player Michael Luxford continued his impressive season with another mention in the best along with Andrew Panayi, Bailey Siwek, Chris Molivas and Tim Jenkins.

Meanwhile, star ruckman Ben McMahon played his first game since round five in a huge boost for Gilham’s side.

“Luxford has been terrific,” Gilham said,

“He’s given us some real size around the ball and been really creative around stoppages. Ben will take a lot of confidence from the weekend.

“He probably only played about 50 per cent game time, half a quarter at a time, and we didn’t play him in the ruck. But we’ll keep building that up over the coming weeks.”