Werribee Football Club
Round 3 Preview
Williamstown v Werribee
Burbank Oval Williamstown
Sunday 26th April 2009
ABC TV â 1.10pm
By Ben Taylor (Casey Radio 3ser 97.7fm) â (Werribee Football Club)
This Sunday at Burbank Oval the Werribee Football Club will take on arch rival Williamstown in the match of the round. Werribee kicked off the season in style last Saturday night against the Bendigo Bombers at Chirnside Park Oval with a 54 point win. Werribeeâs two main recruits in the off season in Marty Pask and Nathan Thompson proved to be the difference in the end kicking 6 and 4 goals respectively to set up the win. The new look forward line for the Tigers got off to a blistering start. A crowd of about 3500 attended the game the first under lights in the clubs history.
This week the Tigers face a much tougher assignment when they tackle the Seagulls on their home deck. Williamstown also opened its account for the year with a strong 62 point win over Collingwood at Visy Park last Saturday.
The Tigers beat the Seagulls at Point Gellibrand last year with Nathan Thompson kicking 3. This weekâs game will be won through the middle and its just going to be a case of who can get their hands on the ball first, to give their forwards the best chance to kick a winning score.
The Tigers will be hoping both Todd Goldstein and Brant Dickson (former Willaimstown) can continue their Round 1 form and will be able to handle the likes of Wadye Skipper and Scott Meyer. Goldstein, really stood up against the Bombers with 30 hit outs for the game. Tigers captain Dominic Gleeson, and midfield duo Robbie Castello and ex Geelong Falcon Michael Rockefeller will have to do the bulk of the work through the midfield. Williamstownâs midfield however, will be no push over with Ben Davies back at Williamstown joining the ever reliable Brett Johnson and Ben Jolly to help the Seagulls.
Levi Greenwood and Scott Howard were steady contributors but will have contain Williamstownâs dangerous small forwards in Patrick Rose, Mathew Little and Chris Egan.
Werribee coach Simon Atkins and Williamstownâs Brad Gotch, who is now in his 8th season with the club, will both want to walk away with a victory especially a local derby such as this one. Although the two are respected coaches in the league and have a good relationship, It is a known fact that both Werribee and Williamstown donât like each other and their rivalry stems back right back to the early 90âs and this weeks game will be no exception.
Michael Barlow was a stand out in Round 2 with 29 disposals re confirming to the competition why he was selected in the 2008 VFL team of the year. Simon Atkins will use him more through the midfield in 2009. Fitness Levels and endurance has been a main focus point in the off season for Simon Atkins and his charges and if they are to beat Williamstown on Sunday all its hard work and effort in the pre season will need to come to the fall.
This weekâs game will be televised on the ABC at 1.00pm The Tigers will return to Chirnside Park in Round 4 when they face Box Hill on Sunday May 3rd
Last Modified on 22/04/2009 18:54