Match result
Werribee 10.12.72 defeated Richmond 10.7.67
In action
Jed Anderson (16 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals)
Majak Daw (16 disposals, 13 hit-outs, 1 goal)
Sam Durdin (16 disposals, 7 marks)
Will Fordham (23 disposals, 2 goals)
Mitchell Hibberd (25 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal)
Nick Larkey (7 disposals, 1 goal)
Declan Mountford (18 disposals, 1 goal)
Daniel Nielson (8 disposals)
Braydon Preuss (11 disposals, 26 hit-outs)
Andrew Swallow (36 disposals, 9 tackles)
Matthew Taylor (11 disposals)
Cameron Zurhaar (9 disposals)
*Stats available on Monday afternoon
Story of the game
The travelling Tigers headed to Beaconsfield on Saturday afternoon to face Richmond in their last game before the mid-season bye.
Holm Park Recreation Reserve, which recently hosted a AFL pre-season match, was the venue of choice and Werribee was looking for its fifth consecutive win after starting the year with two straight losses.
The North Melbourne contingent hit the scoreboard early, with Anderson, Mountford, Larkey and Hibberd all kicking first quarter goals to give Werribee a 10-point lead at the first break.
In a tight, low-scoring encounter, Werribee kept its noses in front throughout the middle two quarters. Swallow was influential in the middle, while Fordham chipped in with crucial goals when needed.
Werribee led by 14 points with a quarter to play, but Richmond started the final term with all the momentum and quickly cut its deficit to less than a goal.
A stalemate ensued for the next 10 minutes, but deep into time on, Werribee found what looked to be the sealing goal. Richmond quickly hit back however, and the margin was just four points, 28 minutes into the term.
Werribee was able to hold on, aptly winning by five points for its fifth victory in a row.
Best of the AFL
Andrew Swallow
After not playing at any level last week as the AFL match day emergency, Swallow was influential this week through the middle, racking up plenty of the ball and using it well going forward.
Best of the VFL
Matt Hanson
Working in tandem with Swallow, Hanson gave the Werribee midfield a one-two punch which Richmond struggled to deal with.
Talking points
Durdin’s defence
Playing in his customary key defensive post, Durdin was a rock all afternoon.
Able to both stop his opponent and find the ball, it was a well rounded game from the Kangaroo as he continues to improve with every week.
Swallow the extractor
Despite Richmond investing plenty of time and effort to neutralise his influence, Swallow was still able to find plenty of the ball at the contest.
His second quarter in particular was a standout, his disposal count well into the double figures, with a handful of clearances as well.
Preuss v Maric
Braydon Preuss had one of his toughest tests of the season, facing veteran Ivan Maric in the ruck all afternoon.
The two battled back and forth, evenly splitting the contest; a reflection of the entire match around the ground.
Mid-season bye
After a slow start to the season, Werribee enjoys next week off now with plenty of momentum, aiming to return to the finals after missing out last season.
It is comfortably inside the top eight with a 5-2 record.
