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THE withdrawal of two of its key forward targets didn't stop North Central from ending its run of inter-league losses against Central Highlands on Saturday.
North Central was forced to go into the game without forwards Sam Barnes (eye) and Billy McInnes (groin) from the selected side, plus Matt Elliott, but proved too slick for Central Highlands, winning 13.13 (91) to 7.8 (50).
Both sides had gone into the 21st v 22nd clash of the AFL Victoria Community Championships at Learmonth having lost their past three matches by close margins.
Less than a kick separated the two sides at half-time as North Central led 4.4 to 3.5 at the main break.
Although it didn't take full advantage of its scoring chances, North Central broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking 3.7 to no score to take a 30-point buffer into the final term.
North Central continued its momentum in the final quarter, kicking the first three goals to kill off any hopes of a Central Highlands revival.
"It was played at a really hot intensity in the first half and we felt a lot of their scoring was coming off our turnovers," North Central playing coach Ricky Allan said.
"We spoke at half-time about controlling the footy and the boys were all fantastic in taking that message on board and we were able to control the game in the second half.
"We probably should have been 10 goals up at three quarter-time, but we were very inaccurate in the third quarter... lucky we weren't playing for percentage."
A late inclusion into the North Central side was teenager Trent Cossar, who had earlier played a full game in the under-18s.
North Central's best player medal was awarded to backman Brodie Adcock.
"It's a bit of a cliche, but we genuinely could have given our best on ground medal to 10 players. We had a very even spread of contributors," Allan said.
The midfield duo of Bryce Delmenico and Trent Donnan were both ball magnets to also be among the best players, as was lively forward Fraser House (two goals).
As well as House, North Central also had Allan, George Turner and Thomas Finlay kick two goals apiece.
North Central's first inter-league win since 2015 moves it from No.21 to 20 in the rankings.
MATCH DETAILS:
North Central 3.3, 4.4, 7.11, 13.13 (91)
Central Highlands 1.2, 3.5, 3.5, 7.8 (50)
GOALS - North Central: R. Allan, G. Turner, T. Finlay, F. House 2, T. Cossar, J. Hargreaves, S. Simmons, W. Donnan, H. Durward. Central Highlands: J. Dunne, S. Dunstan 2, L. Murray, T. Nash, A. Zelencich.
BEST - North Central: B. Adcock, B. Delmenico, T. Donnan, F. House, K. Donnan, S. Pye. Central Highlands: M. Gunnell, J. Rodgers, L. Barnes, D. Wehrung, J. O'Brien, J. Robertson.
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North Central was also victorious in the under-18s, winning 8.6 (54) to 3.12 (30).
Cooper Anderson was named best for North Central.
The open netball game was a one-sided match as Central Highlands ran away with a 71-30 triumph.
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