A Ben Warren-inspired Werribee Tigers opened their account for 2013 with a 72-point thrashing of Port Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday as Nick Duxson reports.
The key forward booted 11 goals and one behind in a near-perfect individual and team performance.
Werribee were quick out of the blocks, with 18-year-old debutant Luke McDonald – son of Tigers 1993 premiership captain Donald McDonald – coolly slotting the opening goal from a set shot five minutes into the first term.
It was all Tigers throughout the first term with Scott Clouston presenting well and taking a handful of grabs across half-forward in his first game in the yellow and black, and Jake Wilson and Jacob Graham standing tall down back.
Warren had three majors of his own before the ‘Borough kicked their first goal at the 27 minute mark of the opening term.
Werribee continued their dominance in the second term, with Scott Sherlock sprinting through the corridor in the first minute and kicking truly on the run from outside 50.
The quick ball movement out of defensive 50 caught Port Melbourne out, as the Tigers’ pace and precision by hand and foot, led by Taylor Hine, was a class above.
A Daniel Currie smother allowed Ben Warren to kick his fifth, the Werribee boys going into half time with a well-deserved 50-point lead.
There was no let-up from a hungry Tigers outfit – although Port came out after half-time looking a completely different side.
But two 50-metre penalties against Borough key forward Adrian Bonaddio killed their momentum; Warren kicking his 6th and 7th in quick succession, before big recruits Jarrod Moore and Addam Maric combined to extend Werribee’s lead.
A courageous mark and goal from Levi Greenwood, running back with the flight of the ball just minutes before three quarter time, looked to make certain the result.
But again Port came out firing after the final break, kicking three goals in quick succession to somewhat silence the “away” fans.
A classy goal from Addam Maric mid-way through the final term put an end to the Port Melbourne comeback, turning two defenders inside out and drilling one on his right foot from 30 metres out, dead in front.
It was all Werribee from there-on-in, as Warren kicked 9, 10 and an eleventh for good measure, as the Tigers ran out 72 point victors.
Port missed the midfield combination of Shane Valenti and Toby Pinwill who did not play due to injury, and the loss of Danny Hughes in the first half did not help their cause. The Tigers defence were not troubled by key defensive recruit Kris Pendlebury not taking his place in the side, and the team will look forward to seeing the return of their captain Robbie Castello in future weeks.
Werribee will this week host the Northern Blues under lights at Avalon Airport Oval, whilst Port Melbourne will head to Box Hill City Oval to take on the Hawks on Sunday.
Last Modified on 02/04/2013 15:42