The Northern Blues have kick-started their season in grand style defeating early season flag favourites Werribee by 15 points under lights at Avalon Airport Oval as Damian Tardio reports.
A hungry Blues outfit showed their intent early; dominating the first quarter and strangling the Tigers run and carry out of half back. With a host of dangerous, crumbing forwards, the Northern Blues caused major headaches for the home side as Tim Totevski, Dylan Buckley and Tyson Thomas proved hard match ups for their Werribee counterparts and were complemented well by the tall timber of Luke Visser and Robbie Warnock (pictured).
Late first term goals from Werribee via Scott Clouston and Ben Warren closed the gap to five points at the first break.
With Heath Scotland, Ed Curnow and Adam Marcon all dominating in the midfield, the Blues were able to kick-away early in the second term, opening a 22-point buffer until Werribee led by Mason Wood and Addam Maric kept the Tigers in touch at the main break as the game became a shoot-out.
Tyson Thomas got the Blues off to a dream start in the third term, hitting the scoreboard 25 seconds in and when he drilled his fourth goal not long after the Blues were out to a comfortable 29-point lead. The best was yet to come, with Thomas conjuring a magic goal, keeping the ball alive and then snapping around the body for a fifth goal to keep Werribee at bay. Refusing to fold, Clouston came into the game up forward snapping two consecutive goals for the Tigers, but the home side still trailed by 26 at the final change.
The resolve of the Blues was tested in the final term, as the Tigers upped the ante, turning the tables in the midfield battle allowing William Martiniello and Majak Daw to score in succession and spark the home crowd into voice.
Overrun a number of times from a winning position in 2012, the Northern Blues were able to steady off the boot of a Marcon dribble and then when Warnock kicked truly the game was put out of the Tigers reach.
Ed Curnow with 30 disposals was consistent through the entire game, suspended Carlton player Heath Scotland played himself into form with 23 disposals, whilst the work of first-gamers Tom Temay and Troy Menzel was encouraging.
Rookie coach, Luke Webster was elated to register a win in his first competitive game in charge.
“The boys applied themselves really well, I’m really happy with their efforts, and we knew we were up against a quality team and they kept coming at us, but to be able to hang on and win is fantastic.”
Coming off an 11-goal haul against Port Melbourne last week, Tiger Ben Warren was kept to two goals thanks to the great work of the Blues’ backline.
“Matthew Watson and Simon White along with the rest of our backline were terrific tonight, they were up against it, but they stood up and held it together,” Webster said.
With the disappointment of season 2012 well and truly in the past, Webster says his chargers have grown in confidence over the summer.
“The guys last year probably lacked confidence in finishing off games, it was early and they were a young team, but this year they are another year older and were are really hungry for success.”
(Photo: Arj Giese)
Last Modified on 08/04/2013 14:41