Match result
Werribee 12.15.87 defeated Coburg 10.9.69
In action
Braydon Preuss (15 disposals, 30 hit-outs, 1 goal)
Josh Williams (12 disposals, 1 goal)
Ryan Clarke (20 disposals, 1 goal)
Jed Anderson (18 disposals)
Will Fordham (22 disposals)
Ben McKay (15 disposals, 6 marks, 7 hit-outs)
Sam Durdin (12 disposals, 4 marks)
Matt Taylor (5 disposals)
Story of the game
Werribee went is as strong favourites against a Coburg side with just one win to its name, but the early going suggested it wasn't going to be easy.
Coburg kicked the first two goals and by quarter-time held a 16-point lead at Piranha Park.
Braydon Preuss and Ryan Clarke booted back-to-back goals to reduce the margin to three soon after, but the home side skipped away again to a 23-point lead midway through the third term.
Werribee-listed player Josh Corbett then kicked four goals from the 11-minute mark of the premiership quarter to the 28-minute mark of the last as Werribee booted seven of the last eight majors.
In the end, Werribee returned to the winners list with an 18-point victory.
"Credit to our boys we just worked our way back into the game," North Development Coach David Loader said.
"When we got more control of the ball we started to balance up a bit, challenge them forward and then hit the scoreboard a few times.
"It's always tough when you go away and it's tricky conditions ... it's cold, it's windy and there was a little light shower around. It made the conditions a bit tougher, but it was a pretty hard-fought victory at the end."
Best of the VFL
Matt Hanson
Always a strong ball-winner, Hanson was named best afield for his 30 disposals and 12 tackles.
Talking points
Ben's back
The Roos' first pick in the 2015 Draft, Ben McKay made his return from injury.
The 198-centimetre big man enjoyed stints up forward and even in the ruck when Braydon Preuss left the field injured.
McKay had 15 disposals, 6 marks and 7 hit-outs.
Clarke's strong response
Omitted form the North Melbourne side, Ryan Clarke was a vital contributor for Werribee all day.
Late in the game he continued to run hard both as a midfielder and at half-forward, finishing with 20 disposals and an impressive 10 tackles.
Durdin's second half
Under the pump early as Coburg was on the attack, Durdin enjoyed some more freedom in the second half and excelled.
Loader praised the youngster's ability to take intercept marks and hit targets coming out of the backline.
"Really the longer the day went the better 'Durds' looked, so it was a really good finish for him," Loader said.
Fordham's "purple patch"
After a big game last week, Will Fordham backed up with another 22 disposals through the midfield.
"He's hit a pretty purple patch of form," Loader said.
"It's really good to see him get the ball and take the game on. He drove really hard with his legs, got some separation and used the ball reasonably well going inside 50.
"He sets up well and just provides us that great off-ball run."
Matt Taylor.
Ben McKay.
Quarter-time huddle.
John Lamont addresses the team.
Will Fordham.
