The Tigers suffered their first defeat of the home-and-away season, going down by 15 points to Northern Blues under lights at Avalon Airport Oval.
A hungry Blues outfit showed their intent early; dominating the first quarter and strangling the Tigers run and carry out of half back.
Late first term goals from Scott Clouston and Ben Warren closed the gap to five points at the first break, but the Blues broke loose early in the second term.
They kicked the first two goals after the break, running and spreading quickly and causing havoc in Werribee’s defensive 50.
The loss of big ruckman Daniel Currie (split webbing) showed, as the Blues dominated the stoppages.
Mason Wood kicked his first, and Maric goaled from the boundary soon after, but the Blues had all the answers, going into half time 16 points in front.
A fumbling Tigers team was opened up straight after the break, the Blues clearing from the centre bounce and scoring inside 20 seconds.
Meredith snapped one out of a pack and Jarrod Mather converted a mark that fell into his lap. Everything the Tigers did, the Blues did one better, kicking three on the trot in response.
Clouston came into the game up forward mid-way through the third term, snapping two consecutive goals, but the home side still trailed by 26 at the final change.
Coach Scott West encouraged his boys to “take the game on” in the huddle, and that’s exactly what they did, producing their smoothest football in the first half of the final team.
Centre clearances were vital and Jarred Moore really stood up. Martiniello, Wood and Daw scoring in succession to bring the home crowd alive.
But again the Blues hit back, with Robbie Warnock posing a huge threat up forward and impressive midfielder Marcon roving the pack and dribbling a goal from 20 metres out.
Young Tigers forward Ben Brown scored a consolation goal as the Tigers kicked the last three of the match – but it was all too late.
Scott West paid full credit to the Blues after the game for their relentless pressure throughout the game, ruing Werribee’s disposal by hand and foot.
“They were really proactive, their press around the footy really put us under pressure. They ran and spread both ways, we looked a little fatigued. They were excellent.
Our skill level wasn’t as high as last week.We fumbled the ball. We didn’t use the ball as well as we should’ve and it cost us.”
Werribee Tigers 4.4 7.7 11.11 17.13 (115)
Northern Blues 5.3 10.6 16.7 20.10 (130)
GOALS:
Werribee Tigers: Clouston 4 Wood 2 Daw 2 Warren 2 Meredith McDonald Mather Maric Martiniello Brown McGenniss
Northern Blues: Thomas 5 Marcon 2 Buckley 2 Totevski 2 Temay Bransgrove Meese Watson Wilson Warnock Visser Lambert Menzel
BEST:
Werribee Tigers: Graham Moore Ross Wilson McDonald Clouston
Northern Blues: Cachia Thomas Curnow Lambert Joseph Warnock
2013 AFL Victoria Development League
Werribee Tigers 3.1 4.5 6.9 10.11 (71)
Northern Blues 5.2 9.4 15.9 17.14 (116)
GOALS:
Werribee Tigers: Tudor 2 Sullivan Barbuto Fort Bolton Zumbo Wales Sodomaco Higgins
Northern Blues: Dorman 5 Burgess 3 Bolger 2 Soncin Dufficy House Yelland Coulson Black Currie
BEST:
Werribee Tigers: Sodomaco Keras Jones Laracy Bolton Iles
Northern Blues: Taglieri Dirago Dorman Burgess Yelland House
Last Modified on 07/04/2013 10:27