WERRIBEE has bounced back into finals contention in style with a 65-point win over Tasmania.
Considering their next four games are all at Bartercard Oval, this win has them in a none-too-bad position with five wins from eleven games.
For the first half of the game it seemed the Tigers’ minds were elsewhere: their disposal, by foot especially, was very poor, and they failed to convert any opportunities, despite having more inside 50’s in the first term than the Devils. The game was never a highlight reel, with the first goal, an opportunistic snap by Shackleton, not coming until the 13-minute mark. Tigers skipper James Podsiadly was doing his job playing in the uncustomary role of centre half back. Former Tiger Ben Setchell was running hot, and the kicking efficiency was what separated the two teams at quarter time.
The second term saw more of the same, with some terrible kicking again plaguing the Tigers. Werribee’s first goal, courtesy of Michael Barlow, did not come until the 41st minute of the match. Late goals to Rob Castello and Leigh Brown however ensured they remained in the game.
The start of the third quarter was ominous, the Devils snaring the first goal and it appeared that they were about to shut the door on Werribee’s season. Yet amazingly enough it was their last goal for the day. When Scott Howard snuck forward and grabbed a goal, the Tigers slammed on an incredible thirteen unanswered goals. The surge was led by Scott Thompson who had 27 touches and was unstoppable running off half-back. Ben Ross was also back to his damaging best, winning 27 touches.
After turning a 16-point deficit into a four-goal lead, Werribee simply continued along their merry way in the final term, kicking another six goals to annihilate the Devils. Calm and assured in defence, they were swift and direct as they went forward and the nerves and errors that were present against Box Hill the week before disappeared in the second half of this match.
The run and carry style which has served the Tigers so well when able to turn it on over the season will no doubt trouble Sandringham in what shapes as a season-defining match.
Werribee 0.5 3.7 11.11 17.19 (121) d
Tasmania 3.3 6.5 7.11 7.14 (56)
Goals: Werribee – Podsiadly 3, Ross 2, Gleeson 2, Warren 2, Brown 2, Quigley, Castello, Howard, Goldstein, Barlow, Greenwood. Tasmania – Shackleton 2, Hardy 2, Vearing, Setchell, Charlesworth.
Best: Werribee – Ross, Thompson, Barlow, Podsiadly, Henderson, Greenwood. Tasmania – Setchell, Robinson, Savage, Vearing, Plummer, Long, Richter.
Last Modified on 23/06/2008 09:55