The Werribee Tigers had a great day at Avalon Airport Oval recording two wins over the Coburg Tigers. Read Nick Duxson's match report of a great victory.
Werribee V Coburg
A nine-goal opening quarter was the catalyst for the Werribee Tigers’ 89-point win over Coburg, under grey skies at Avalon Airport. In slippery conditions, the Tigers jumped out to an early lead in what was a stunning response to the past three weeks’ results.
Senior coach Scott West praised the effort of his players after the game.
“It has been a rough three weeks. In reflection, we’ve probably played a bit better in those three weeks than I gave us credit for. Today was a really pleasing effort,”
After a Ben Warren intercept and goal in the second minute of the game, Ben Brown and Kieran Harper were the recipients of some precise passing and made no mistake in front of goal.
Will Martiniello converted a free kick for a high tackle, while Jordan Keras kicked truly and Tim McGenniss slammed through a long-range effort on the run to extend Werribee’s lead to six goals at the first change.
With Brown, Warren and Scott Clouston leading strongly, the Tigers’ made the most of their quick ball movement in tricky conditions.
But it was Werribee’s increased pressure all around the ground that really stood out, with Jarred Moore, Ben Ross and Mason Wood leading the tackle count early.
“It was a really big focus for us to make sure our forwards were the ones starting it (pressure), because if it stays in our half of the ground, it gives us chances to score,” West said.
There was no let up in the second term from a hungry Tigers’ outfit, as Warren and Brown both scored from set shots.
Coburg responded with three goals in a row to Clifton, McBean and Carnell, and Werribee’s margin was reduced to five goals.However, the home side fought back .
“They kicked a couple, but we were able to then get momentum back in our favour and really dominate the quarter,”
With a downpour saturating the ground at the break, it was Werribee who adjusted quicker, and an inspirational chase and tackle from Ross set the tone early in the third quarter.
Jordan Gysberts and Jacob Graham snuck forward to kick goals as the Tigers controlled play for the bulk of the quarter.
“You’ve got to adjust to the conditions. I’ll give credit to the guys after half time when it got a bit slippery, you can’t over use the footy. I thought we did that quite well (ball use) especially in the third quarter.”
With the result beyond doubt, and Werribee down to two rotations due to injuries to Kieran Harper and Michael Sodomaco, Coburg scored a few consolation goals to open the final term.
But Brown took two more marks inside forward fifty to kick his fourth and fifth, to close out a comprehensive win.
West commended Brown, saying the forward structure was really starting to work nicely.
“He’s (Brown) been terrific. He’s challenged himself as a young kid and each week he’s getting to understand VFL footy.
(Brown) and Clouston are starting to work together with Warren. These things take time but I think we saw the result today.
“I thought our crumbing players were quite good too – Maric, Martiniello and Keras,”
Ayden Kennedy was again impressive down back, while Moore and Levi Greenwood were influential in the clutches and Wood produced one of his best performances in Tigers’ colours to date.
Werribee have the bye next weekend, but take on Queanbeyan in the Foxtel Cup at Etihad Stadium on May 28 (8.30 pm start).
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Werribee
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Coburg
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Quarter Time
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9.3.57
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3.3.21
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Half Time
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15.6.96
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7.4.46
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Three Quarter Time
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23.8.146
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8.7.55
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Full Time
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27.10.172
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12.11.83
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Goals: Warren 5, Brown 5, Maric 3, Clouston 3, Gysberts 2, Ross, Martiniello, Meredith, Harper, Moore, Wood, Graham, McGenniss, Keras
Best: Moore, Greenwood, Brown, Kennedy, Gysberts, Warren
Development
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Werribee
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Coburg
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Quarter Time
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5.7.37
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2.0.12
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Half Time
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8.15.63
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5.3.33
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Three Quarter Time
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12.19.91
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8.5.53
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Full Time
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14.21.105
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11.7.73
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Goals: Brown 3, Purton-Smith 2, Tudor 2, Williams 2, Barbuto 2, Bolton, Henderson, Zumbo
Best: Davis, Williams, Purton-Smith, Jones, Fairley, Brown
Last Modified on 19/05/2013 09:52