Werribee win in a thriller
After winning 5 of the past 6 games Werribee ventured down the Nepean Highway to play the 8th paced Frankston. Frankston have been in winning form destroying Tasmania the previous week. Winning at Frankston is always a hard assignment and the task was made slightly more difficult with the emotion of Frankston Ruckman Daniel Clarke breaking his club's playing record.
Werribee were without Will Minson and dynamo midfielder Salim Hassan from their previous match but had Shane Birss and Cameron Faulkner returning from injury.
As in previous weeks Frankston began in enthusiastic fashion with ex: West Coast Eagles forward Aaron Edwards opening the goal scoring, Werribee quickly equalised with Wayde Skipper taking a strong mark and goaling from 50 metres. Unfortunately Skipper left the field shortly after with an ankle injury, he did not partake in any further action.
Werribee had much of the play for the next 10 minutes but were unable to capitalize. Frankston kicked 3 goals in the final 5 minutes of the opening term to take a 12 point lead at quarter time.
If not for the individual efforts of Jim Allan (12 disposals) and Kieran McGuiness (9 disposals) Frankston's lead may have been significantly bigger.
Quarter Time scores
Werribee 2.2
Frankston 4.2
The second quarter began in a blaze of glory with Werribee kicking 3 goals in quick succession to suddenly lead by 7 points.
The remainder of the term was a dour struggle, with both teams kicking 2 goals apiece.
Frankston's Full Forward - Edwards was causing Werribee severe problems and it appeared that for Werribee to be guaranteed of a victory it would need to shut him down. Werribee's better players for the second quarter were - Cameron Wight, Brad Murphy, Brett Robinson, & Travis Robertson.
Half Time scores
Werribee 7.4
Frankston 6.3
Werribee dominated ball possession for the third quarter leading the disposal count 104 to 71, yet they were out scored in this quarter. It appeared Werribee's inability to find targets within their forward fifty metres, might prove costly. Frankston playing with a more open forward line were able to kick 4 goals straight including another 3 to Aaron Edwards to Werribee's 2 goals 4 behinds, providing Frankston with a 1 point lead at three quarter time.
Three Quarter time scores:
Werribee 9.8
Frankston 10.3
At the final change Frankston Senior Coach Brett Lovett implored his players to continue their finals charge and also win for Daniel Clarke. Werribee Senior Coach Simon Atkins urged his players to work for each other and firmly believed that their superior fitness would see them home.
By the 17 minute mark of the final term the parochial Frankston crowd were in full voice, when they raced to a 15 point lead and looked winners. Werribee's task was made even more difficult when their play maker and leading ball winner (with 35 possessions) Jim Allan left the field with a broken arm.
Werribee refused to surrender and suddenly were finding targets up forward. When Jarrod Young, Cameron Wight & Kieran McGuiness each goaled Werribee had found the lead at the 26 minute mark.
Frankston continued to push but were unable to penetrate the Werribee back line, who held firm enabling Dominic Gleeson and Brad Murphy to goal and provide Werribee with a courageous 15 point win.
Scores
Werribee 2.2 7.4 9.8 15.13 103
Frankston 4.2 6.3 10.3 14.4 88
Werribee best players:
Cameron Wight, Brad Murphy, Brett Robinson; Travis Robertson; Kieran McGuiness; Jim Allan
Werribee goals:
Brad Murphy 4; Cameron Wight 3; James Podsiadly 2; Kieran McGuiness 1; Travis Baird 1; Tom Davidson 1; Dominic Gleeson 1; Jarrod Young 1; Wayde Skipper 1.
Werribee Reserves
Given the horrendous injury run at both Werribee and the Western Bulldogs, Werribee Reserves stocks were severely depleted and although they were defeated their efforts against the second placed Frankston were admirable.
Final Scores
Werribee 3.1 6.3 7.7 13.8 86
Frankston 3.5 6.9 11.13 17.15 117
Best players:
Simon Potter; Ben Lavars; Doug Thomas; Rob Mentha; Sam Wormald; Dean Stankovic
Goal kickers:
Simon Potter 7; Taylor Collins 1; Michael West 1; Jye Walker 1; Josh Eddy 1; Doug Thomas 1; Ben Lavars 1
Last Modified on 22/02/2008 11:32