Northern Bullants 4.1 10.5 13.8 20.8-128
Werribee 3.6 3.9 6.13 10.13-73
Werribee
Goal Kickers: R. Castello 5, B. Murphy 2, D. McCormack 2, J. Podsiadly
Best Players: R. Castello, J. Furfaro, J. Allan, S. Hassan, C. Faulkner, T. Robertson
Reserves
Northern Bullants 2.3 6.6 11.9 11.12-78
Werribee 5.2 6.4 8.6 12.8-80
Werribee
Goal Kickers: M. West 5, D. Thomas 2, M. McCasker 2, D. Gleeson, J. Bond, J. Johnson
Best Players: D. Gleeson, S. Wormald, D. Thomas, W. Richardson, K. Thompson, R. Mentha
Match Report By Tristan Foenander
A trip to Australian Motor Finance Oval, formerly Preston City Oval, is never an easy task for a visiting team, let alone when the home side sits atop the TRUenergy VFL ladder.
That was the task facing the Werribee Tigers as they faced the Northern Bullants.
Their hopes were not helped when an hour before the bounce, news filtered through the Werribee rooms that three players had been involved in a car crash just minutes from the ground.
Two of the three players involved Wayde Twomey and Jake Furfaro arrived at the ground noticeable shaken, but were still fit to take their place in the side. Jarrod Garth, who was also in the car, required plastic surgery on a badly lacerated eye.
The news sent a shockwave through the Werribee camp, but despite that, the Tigers got off to a spirited start and trailed by only one point at quarter time.
Skill errors and lackadaisical running caused a complete form reversal for the Tigers as the Bullants piled on six goals in the second term to lead by 38 points at the long change. The Bullants played slick, clean football and looked every bit the team touted as this year's flag favourite.
The Tigers came out to play in the second half, but inaccuracy in front of goal continued to plague their game.
Digby Morrell was a commanding presence for the Bullants in the final term as they surged away, booting seven goals to Werribee's four, to record a decisive 55 point victory, 20.8.128 to 10.13.7.73.
Not only did the Tigers suffer a hefty defeat, but a few more players added their names to the already large injury list.
Wayde Twomey had a day to forget and ended up in hospital after bearing the brunt of some friendly fire from ruckman Cam Purss, who accidentally poked him in the eye.
Harley Ryan, a late inclusion for Garth, would not have enjoyed his senior debut as a bizarre incident, when the ball was kicked into his head, left him with concussion. Travis Baird completed the list of the day's casualties, dislocating his finger in the dying stages of the game.
The shining light of the day was a thrilling two point win for the Reserves. Trailing by 21 points at three quarter time, the team managed to boot four goals into the wind in the final term to snatch victory, 12.8.80 to 11.12.78.
Last Modified on 22/02/2008 11:46