An eight-goal haul from skipper James Podsiadly helped the Werribee Tigers to an impressive 69-point first semi final defeat of Casey Scorpions on Sunday.
Podsiadly was unstoppable, beating several opponents and his vice-like grip held everything that came his way inside 50m.
A modest Podsiadly was quick to praise his team mates.
"It was a really good game by the whole team," Podsiadly told ABC TV.
"We needed 22 contributors to beat Casey who were fourth most of the year."
After being completely obliterated by Port Melbourne last week, Tigers coach Simon Atkins was thrilled that his troops could rebound so swiftly.
Tigers coach Simon Atkins was happy with how his charges rebounded from last week’s loss.
“We really had to answer what happened last week, it was a bit like ground hog day,” Atkins said.
“I thought the turning point was half way through the second quarter when we really got some ascendency through the stoppages.”
Scott Howard continued his good finals series with 28 disposals and two goals, further proving his versatility after playing much of this season as a defender.
Atkins was particularly impressed with Howard’s performance on the wing and down back.
“To be playing on the wing and half back, (then) finish with 28 touches and two goals it’s a really good input from a player like that,” he said.
The Tigers defence was superb across all four quarters, as they restricted the Scorpions to just nine goals and kicked 19 themselves.
“I thought right through the midfield and our back six, (we) really combined,” Atkins said.
“Not one of the Casey players got out of the loop; we were able to keep their quality midfielders under 30 touches, so it was really good defensive accountability got us across the line.”
Robbie Castello (25 disposals, 8 tackles) was the shining light in a dominant Tigers midfield and was relentless with his defensive pressure, particularly after a strong first half.
After a quiet first-half, Michael Barlow stepped up a level to record 15 second-half disposals and further prove that he is one of the VFL’s best first year players in season 2008.
Todd Goldstein rebounded from an indifferent performance last week as he dominated the ruck with 31 hit-outs and 17 disposals.
Strengthened by the addition of Kangaroos-listed Lachlan Hansen and Scott McMahon, Werribee were made to work hard in what was a closely contested first quarter.
Casey’s Michael Rix imposed himself with two first quarter goals and it looked like a possible shoot out between Podsiadly and Rix.
For the next three quarters though, it was the Tigers that played a stronger and much more determined brand of football as Casey struggled to stay in the contest.
Midfielder Shane Birss was one of the few who broke even while down back Steven O’Brien and James Taylor battled hard for Casey.
Without a suitable sized opponent to match the powerful Podsiadly, Casey’s lack of accountability through the middle would prove costly.
North Ballarat faces the Werribee Tigers in the first preliminary final on Sunday, September 21 at TEAC Oval at 2.10pm.