WERRIBEE got back on the winners list on the weekend with a 19-point victory in a tight contest over the previously undefeated Box Hill Hawks.
After scoring just three goals the previous week against Williamstown, the Tigers came out firing, kicking five goals to two in the first quarter, a deficit the Hawks were never able to overcome.
Coach Simon Atkins said it was imperative the Tigers played well against quality opposition after such a disappointing game the previous round.
"Our whole aim coming off last weeks effort where we werent strong enough to match Williamstown. I would have copped a two, three goal loss against Willi but to be overrun like that ,we really had to answer some questions."
I thought it was a really good result for us to be challenged and hold our nerve and eventually get away with a win," he said.
The Tigers led the match by 28 points at half-time, but the Hawks fought their way back as Werribee continued trying to find their top gear.
"I really rate the Box Hill lineupâÃÂæ [they] are a pretty good team who have come off a few wins.
"I just thought that is the way the game was going to be, it was never going to be a blowout. Box Hill, in form, a home game here, we really had to step to the plate and for three quarters I think we did that," Atkins said.
The Hawks had cut the lead back to just 12 at the final change, with their ball winners getting on top and providing opportunities for the forwards and Tim Boyle kicking four goals.
But in a performance that pleased Atkins, the Tigers were able to hold out in the last quarter, kicking goals at critical times.
Nathan Thompson presented all afternoon and finished with five, while Alan Obst had one of his best games for the Tigers, kicking two goals in a pinch-hitting performance as a ruckman.
"That was more of a test for Obba , it was a bit of a gamble. We went in knowing they had a couple of part-time ruckmen," said Atkins.
"He marked really well, I was really happy with his work rate and positioning as a ruckman today."
He and Kangaroos teammate Todd Goldstein dominated the hitouts 44-24, giving first use of the ball to the Tigers midfielders. Michael Barlow, whose role is moving further up the ground this year, had 43 touches in an eye-catching performance.
Deputy Vice-Captain Flinn Chisholm was also brilliant, playing more of the game down the back half.
"Flinn after having a really good first half when he won his share of the football was instrumental in going back and being able to close down a couple of their really damaging players," said Atkins.
Despite the victory, Atkins said there was still plenty of room for improvement for his young charges.
"If we had been more efficient with the ball we probably would have got more score on the board. I thought we controlled the majority of the first half.
"One thing we were bad on this week was our skill execution, the boys just have to put themselves under the intensity of training to be better with their skills," he said, looking forward to this weeks game against Geelong.
"That was the key, we just had to bounce back."
Werribee 5.4 9.7 10.8 13.12 (90)
Box Hill 2.3 5.3 8.6 10.9 (69)
Goals: Werribee âÃÂàThompson 5, Obst, Pask 2, Adams, Wright, Goldstein, Henderson. Box Hill âÃÂàBoyle 4, Iles 2, McGlynn, Shiels, Schoenmakers, Yze.
Best: Werribee âÃÂàObst, Barlow, Chisholm, Adams, Wright, Castello. Box Hill âÃÂàMarkovic, Curnow, Kenna, McGlynn, Iles, Kennedy.