By Ben Carbonaro
The Werribee Tigers got their season back on track with a 17-point win over Collingwood at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
Marty Pask slotted three goals for the winners in a match split open by gun Tiger midfielders Dom Gleeson, Rob Castello, Michael Barlow and Michael Rockefeller.
Pask also received great support from the returning Nathan Thompson, who booted two goals.
It was a tight tussle in the first half and the Magpies broke clear in the third. ButWerribee called on all its guts to deny the Magpies. A pleased Werribee coach Simon Atkins thought that spirit and confidence got his team over the line.
“I thought our spirit was right across the board for the four quarters and it was a real key point to the way we were going to play,” he said.
“Just staying involved in the game and although we may have been beaten on the scoreboard, we just had to remain confident.”
James Saker did a superb job at full back as he nullified veteran full-forward Anthony Rocca (11 possessions, one goal) from having a serious impact and Atkins had nothing but praise for the young defender.
“Sakes is learning all the time and to be able to play on key forwards (Rocca, Chris Dawes) is really good," Atkins said.
Rockefeller (31 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 tackles) was best on ground for his game in the midfield and he proved his worth even further with two handy goals.
Castello (32 disposals. 7 clearances, 1 tackle) got more of the ball than usual, as he helped with Tigers propel the ball forward.
Atkins was impressed with the leadership group member’s performance and general endeavour.
“It was a consistent performance and I put him in our best,” he said.
“It was consistency right across the board (from him), in the end we had to put him to Jarryd Blair because he was still getting out of control and he was still able to get the football.”
Blair, last year's Morrish Medallist in the TAC Cup, shone for the Magpies with 27 disposals.
Ruckman Cameron Wood kicked three goals to be the leading goal kicker for the Magpies, after being forced to fill a forward void left by Sean Rusling, who was injured in the second quarter. On another sour note, Brent MacAffer landed awkwardly in the third term and hobbled up the race. He had been one of the Magpies best with 20 possessions up until that point.
Another Werribeekey was Scott Howard who played well at half-back (17 disposals, three marks and a goal). He said the team's philopshy was simple in wintry conditions.
“We just had to get it on the boot, get it on the foot with the mud," Howard told ABC TV after the match.
“We knew they were going to have a good side, rhey only had four non-AFL players, we had a couple of first gamers in and our job was just to get up and pressure them."
He also praised key forward Thompson for his impact.
“His forward pressure is phenomenal for us, it’ just great to have him in the side," he commented.
The Werribee Reserves lost to Williamstown by 98-points 6.7.43 to 21.15.141
After a less than impressive performance against the Casey Scorpions last week, the Tigers were looking to get another win but it wasn’t to be against defending premiers in Williamstown.
Williamstown played a much better brand of football as the Tigers were simply outclassed in every department.
Andrew Banjanin was best on ground for his versatile 12 disposal, 8 hit-out and one goal performance.
Werribee had no multiple goal kickers in a disappointing performance and coach Darren Findlay will want his charges to address this.
Next for the Tigers is a clash against Box Hill on Sunday week, with action under way at 2pm.
Werribee Tigers 3.1 7.2 9.7 15.15 (105)
| Collingwood 3.6 7.8 11.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS:Werribee Tigers: Pask 3 Thompson 2 Martiniello 2 Rockefeller 2 Dickson Sharp Denton Howard Chisholm Adams
Collingwood: Wood 3 Francis 2 Bryan 2 Dawes Beams Reed Corrie Cook Rocca
BEST:Werribee Tigers: Rockefeller Martiniello Barlow Adams Goldstein Castello
Collingwood: Blair Goldsack Dyas MacAffer Stanley Cook
REPORTED PLAYERS:Werribee Tigers: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Last Modified on 14/06/2009 15:35