Match result
Werribee 17.10.112 defeated Collingwood 15.11.101
In action
Majak Daw (12 disposals, 11 hit-outs, 4 marks)
Will Fordham (15 disposals)
Mitch Hibberd (23 disposals, 4 marks)
Nick Larkey (10 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals)
Braydon Preuss (45 hit-outs, 11 disposals, 6 marks)
Andrew Swallow (31 disposals, 8 tackles)
Josh Williams (12 disposals, 2 goals)
Cameron Zurhaar (14 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals)
Story of the game
It was a remarkable game in Wangaratta on Saturday afternoon.
Werribee, coming off two straight wins, took on Collingwood, only averaging 60 points a game through its first four matches.
Despite that form line, it was the Magpies who led 7.1.43 to 0.2.2 after the first quarter, and once the Pies kicked the first goal of the second, the margin stretched out to 47 points before Werribee made its run.
“They (the Magpies) won the ball inside, smashed us in the contest and the defence was under a heap of pressure with a lot of one-on-ones,” Development Manager Ben Dyer said of the first quarter.
A storming run cut the deficit to just 18 points at half time, and a six goal to one third quarter gave the Tigers an eight-point lead with a quarter to play.
“We altered a little bit around the outside of the stoppage so we were able to get a little more protection for our defence,” Dyer explained.
“The inside mids just went to work, so instead of the ball coming out it was more even inside and we got on top.”
The margin never got back within a goal, as the Tigers kicked four of the first six goals of the last to put the game beyond doubt.
Best of the AFL
Andrew Swallow
The former North captain was influential in and around the stoppages, getting Werribee going in the second quarter. After missing a week due to illness, Swallow finished with 31 disposals.
Best of the VFL
Ryley Barrack
The defender received the coaches votes for best Werribee player on the field, collecting 17 disposals and six marks.
Talking points
Swallow fires
When Werribee needed a lift around the contest, it was Andrew Swallow who provided it.
“He was one of the reasons why after quarter time we got back into it,” Dyer explained.
“As we know, his tackle pressure is the feature of his game and that was certainly the case again.
“He lifted a cog inside and his use of the ball by hand to feed blokes on the outside was really strong as well.
“It was the bit of leadership inside that we needed after quarter time that he provided.
“He had 31 disposals and it was a good afternoon’s work considering what happened in the first quarter.”
Daw returns
After missing a fortnight due to injury, Majak Daw returned and successfully completed a full game.
Although Daw wasn’t able to hit the scoreboard, he looked in good touch despite the absence.
“The best thing about his game was that even with a few weeks out, he took a couple of nice contested marks, so his touch and his reading of the ball in flight was pretty good.
“Sometimes after he’s had a bit of time out that can be an issue, but it wasn’t this time.”
Larkey’s forward line
Nick Larkey continues to build with each game at VFL level.
He finished with 2.2 for the afternoon at Norm Minns Oval.
“He could have kicked four, the two he missed were gettable,” Dyer said.
“Given that he didn’t see any of the ball in the first quarter, he was pretty lively and was able to attract the ball pretty well after that.
“He’s been taking the best or second-best defender every week, that’s for sure.”
Looking ahead
After a handful of younger Roos were rested, there is set to be a much bigger North contingent for Werribee’s trip to North Ballarat on Saturday.
Declan Watson, Daniel Nielson and Matt Taylor are all set to return, while Ben Jacobs is in line for his first VFL senior game of the season after completing his comeback in the development league on Sunday morning.
It’ll be the first time any Kangaroos have played at Eureka Stadium since the two sides’ alignment ended after the 2015 season.
