It was the day of the come from behind win, with victories to Richmond, North Ballarat, Williamstown, Sandringham and Werribee Tigers.
The Roosters were the only side for the afternoon that led during the third term and were able to hold on for a win, after Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and Casey Scorpions all held leads in the third quarter, only to be overun in the final quarter.
The breeze played its part in all games across the afternoon.
Let's take a look at the Sunday games and how they unfolded:
Werribee comeback win
Werribee has pulled off an amazing come from behind win, kicking seven goals to one after midway through the second term to record a five point win against Casey Scorpions.
After Casey held a 36-point lead early in the second term, Werribee finished the quarter with three unanswered goals to cut the margin at half time to 18 points.
With Werribee’s Mason Wood kicking the only goal of the third term, the margin was only eight points at three quarter time.
In the final term Ben Warren added his second to cut margin to two points, and soon after Sam Martyn gave Werribee the lead for the first time in the game 10 minutes into the final term. When the Tigers kicked their seventh unanswered goal, they had turned the game on its head and held an 11-point lead.
Casey finally kicked their first goal of the second half late in the game via a 50 metre penalty but the Tigers were able to hang on, with Casey only adding 1.2 after halftime compared to the visitors 4.8.
Wood (three goals) and Warren (two) were the only multiple goal kickers for Werribee, with captain for the day Michael Sodomaco, Jesse Crichton and Kane Turner their best.
Tim Smith kicked two in a strong first half for Casey, with Mitch Clisby, Max Gawn and Colin Garland their best.
Roosters’ first win
North Ballarat has recorded its first win of the season, giving Gerard FitzGerald a win in his record equalling 313th VFL game as coach.
The Roosters led from start to finish, holding off an inaccurate Footscray in the final term to win by just two points.
A five goal to one first term helped set up the win for the Roosters, after the home team kicked the first three goals with Michael Searl and Eric Wallace influential early.
With only 10 points between the two sides at half time – from 12 scoring shots apiece - inaccuracy told the tale of the second half, with Footscray hampered by their conversion with 3.10 compared to the Roosters’ 3.2.
Andrew Swallow completed his second game back from injury with two goals, and was among the best, with James Keeble and Searle also kicking two. Ben Jacobs (32 disposals), Liam Anthony (26) and Nick Rippon were the best for the Roosters, with Fletcher Roberts, Brett Goodes and Daniel Giansiracusa (two goals) the best for the Bulldogs.
Williamstown home with the breeze
Williamstown flew home with the breeze at Burbank Oval, kicking eight unanswered goals against Collingwood to run out 27-point winners.
The Seagulls doubled their score in the final term, hitting the lead at the 17 minute mark of the quarter and not looking back. Mitch Banner (two goals), Ryan Ferguson (three for the game) and Kane Lambert (three) all peppered the scoreboard to give them a triumphant win.
After Collingwood held a 39-point lead at quarter time, keeping the home side scoreless, Williamstown needed to dig deep for a comeback. Ben Jolley, Leigh Masters and Cam Lockwood led the way for the Seagulls, as they cut the half time deficit to just 15 points.
While Collingwood kicked three goals to one in the third term, its 20-point lead was not enough despite three goals from Tim Broomhead back for his second game, and good performances from Jackson Ramsay and Caolan Mooney.
Triumphant home ground return for Richmond
Richmond recorded its second win of the season in a successful return to Punt Road Oval today against Geelong.
A 12-goal to one third term helped set up the 51-point win, with four third term goals by Ben Griffiths the highlight.
After trailing by 12 points at half time, the Tigers opened the third term with five unanswered goals – three to Griffiths - then added another seven goals after Mitch Herbison finally got Geelong on the board midway through the quarter.
Richmond held a 57-point lead going into the final term, but Geelong were unable to cut into the lead early with wayward kicking for goal.
The vocal home crowd cheered the Tigers to victory with Griffiths kicking four, and Orren Stephenson, Liam McBean and Ben Lennon all with two. Anthony Miles continued his good form in the VFL with 37 disposals to be Richmond’s best, along with Griffith, Nathan Foley (30) and Stephenson (61 hit outs).
Geelong could only manage two multiple goal kickers in Tom Maas and Josh Walker, while Jordan Schroder, Jesse Stringer and Maas were their best.
Sandringham charge home late
Three late goals has given Sandringham a happy homecoming back to Trevor Barker Beach Oval, recording a hard fought nine point win against Essendon.
After Essendon led by a match high 21 points in the third term, Sandringham kicked the first three goals of the final term -via Seb Ross, Beau Maister and Brodie Murdoch - to draw level.
Cory Dell’Olio kicked his fifth goal nine minutes into the final term to stop the early run by the Zebras. Dell’Olio had been the major scorer early in the game for the Bombers with four first term goals. Kyle Hardingham then kicked his third to give Essendon a buffer of nine points.
Quickly this was erased as Cam Shenton and Arryn Siposs helped the home side back into the lead for the first time since early in the third term, and when a long bomb from an interception by Terry Milera went through, the Zebras led by 9 points and continued their unbeaten start to the year.
Siposs led the scoring and was best for Sandringham with three goals and 20 disposals, along with Ross (32), Milera (24), Trent Dennis Lane, Sam Dunnell and Maister with two each.
Nick O’Brien and Dell’Olio (five goals) led the way for Essendon, along with Josh Mellington (four goals) and Wayne Schultz.
The injury toll for both clubs will be interesting, with Sam Fisher, Tayte Pears and John Rayner all spending time on the sidelines.
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Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 05/05/2014 14:19