An incredible eight-goal final quarter comeback from Werribee left them an agonising
seven points short of victory against Collingwood at Victoria Park.
After a low-scoring first half from both sides, the Magpies kicked away in the third
quarter and were able to twice hold off the fast-finishing Tigers.
Coach Scott West said the Tigers’ third term was “disappointing,” but they would use
their final quarter momentum going into finals.
“There was a bit of a blue at half time, and I just thought we needed to come out and
make a statement – they did, and we didn’t. We finished off the game really well, so hopefully we can take that momentum into next week”
Neither side could gain the ascendancy early, despite Werribee having a number of
opportunities. Ben Brown provided a strong target up forward, kicking the Tigers’ opening two goals, while Jarred Moore found plenty of the ball and Dan Currie battled manfully against the Pies’ tall brigade.
But Collingwood was up to the task, and kicked eight goals to two in the third
quarter to jump out to a 38-point lead.
Moore made his presence felt early in the final term by snapping the first goal, and
Brown added another in quick time as the Tigers took the game on.
When Kieran Harper ran down Collingwood’s Ben Hudson and kicked the goal from
40 metres out soon after, Werribee saw an opening.
But two Collingwood goals restored their advantage, before Werribee pressed again
for victory. Moore (37 possessions) snapped truly again – capping another brilliant individual performance – before Jordan Gysberts and Keenan O’Shea reduced the margin to seven points. Ultimately the Tigers ran out of time.
“Apart from the third quarter, I thought we were really competitive. We didn’t take
our chances early. We should’ve been in front or further in front at quarter time.
I’m really proud of their efforts (to comeback)… It’s a sort of a funny game,
we probably knew where we were going to finish unless we got absolutely blown out
of the water, we always knew we were going to finish fifth.”
With a number of tall Tigers missing, Will Sullivan played an important game down
back, while swing-man Scott Clouston was simply superb and Currie continued his
outstanding season.
“I thought Will Sullivan did a terrific job in the backline, and I thought Clouston was
outstanding and Dan Currie did a really great job in the ruck.
“He’s (Clouston) been terrific, his ability to read the ball and his ability to run as well.
I think he’s been terrific since he’s been back there.”
Will Martiniello and Michael Sodomaco both impressed around the ground, with
inclusion Ben Speight adding some pressure up forward and Scott McMahon again
standing tall in defence.
The Tigers now have to wait on other results to see who their opponent is for next
weekend’s elimination final, and West said all focus would turn to that game.
“It’s do or die now, We’ll have a chat about it (today’s game), but you’ve got to
move on and concentrate on the final.”
2013 Peter Jackson VFL
Collingwood 2.4 4.4 12.7 15.8 (98)
Werribee Tigers 2.3 2.8 5.11 13.13 (91)
GOALS:
Collingwood: Paine 2 Boland 2 Corr 2 Martin 2 Collopy 2 Mooney 2 Allan Williams Hudson
Werribee Tigers: Brown 3 Moore 2 McKinley 2 Warren 2 Gysberts Harper O'Shea Castello
BEST:
Collingwood: Russell Krakouer Oxley Williams Collopy Kelly
Werribee Tigers: Moore Clouston Currie McGenniss Sodomaco Brown
2013 AFL Victoria Development League
North Ballarat 0.7 1.9 2.10 2.10 (22)
Werribee Tigers 5.3 8.8 15.16 20.24 (144)
GOALS:
North Ballarat: Close Nicholls
Werribee Tigers: Tudor 6 Hicks 3 Zumbo 2 Davis 2 White Fort Eade Bolton Jones Wales Stevens
BEST:
North Ballarat: Graham Conroy Nicholls Wehrung Peel Semmens
Werribee Tigers: White Barbuto Zumbo Tudor Bolton Williams
Last Modified on 27/08/2013 07:19