Match report by Daniel Paproth
WERRIBEE have recorded a morale-boosting 55-point win over Collingwood, and despite an average first half were able to close out the game in style.
The match was won in the third term, when a slick Werribee demolished its opponents, booting eight goals to one for the quarter.
After last week’s aberration, the Tigers came out with a renewed attitude, but as has been the case all season, they were wayward in front of goal.
They had two more scoring shots in the first quarter but found themselves 12 points down at the first break. Kangaroo Leigh Brown was marking everything that came his way and booted all of Werribee’s three goals for the term. The Magpies were playing better footy especially clearing out of their back half. Ben Ross, one of the Tigers best for the day, produced a brilliant piece of play, opportunistically picking up a loose ball, taking three bounces, and then ran in for the goal but missed to the near side. A Ben Reid goal after the siren hurt the Tigers.
The Tigers kept themselves in the game with an early second quarter goal, but their Collingwood opponents were out-marking and out-playing them. Ryan Cook and Rohan Frost were running hot for the Pies, and if Tobias Thoolen hadn’t been forced to retake a shot at goal late in the term the margin may have been even further in Collingwood’s favour. The Tigers were again wasteful, kicking 2.4 for the term.
Whatever the message Simon Atkins had for his troops at half-time it worked wonders.
Ben Davies and Ben Ross were fantastic in a massive third term for the Tigers. Davies had 33 touches for the afternoon, including 12 for the quarter combined with seven clearances and three goals and with Dean Laidley watching on, he must be pushing for senior selection at North Melbourne. Jess Sinclair showed some good form, and captain James Podsiadly, who, up until half time was being well held by John Anthony, came to life with seven touches and three goals. Flinn Chisholm was electric in the third term, twice receiving from Davies and kicking around-the-body goals to ignite the crowd and sink the Magpies. With five goals in as many minutes, everything was going Werribee’s way..
The back six were superb for Werribee all afternoon, with Scott Thompson and Scott Howard shining. They controlled much of the play providing invaluable run off half back and with 35 touches between them, they were simply- outstanding.
After a jittery start to the final term the Tigers ran away with it in the end, kicking 5.3 to 1.3 for the quarter. A goal to Sam Wormald blew the lead out to 38 points and proved to be the sealer. Podsiadly booted another two goals to hit his straps as he prepares for state representation next week, whilst Ross and Davies both nailed goals.
It was good to see some passion back in the teams performance and also pleasing was the senior debut of Jak Kenedy-Hunt. In the final term he took three marks, had four touches, and caught the eye laying three tackles.
All sides will now enjoy a week off, with Werribee well-placed at four wins and four losses after eight games. They play Coburg at home after the break.
Werribee
Collingwood
6.1 8.4 9.8 10.11 (71)3.7 5.11 13.15 18.18 (126)