Rested and ready after a week off, Werribee faces the fifth-placed Port Melbourne side on Sunday.
WHO: Werribee v Port Melbourne
WHERE AND WHEN: North Port Oval, Sunday July 10, 11.40am EST
COVERAGE: NMFC on Twitter | Werribee FC on Twitter | Match reports and highlights post-game on NMFC.com.au.
TICKETS: Available at gate - Adults $10, Concession/Children under 15/Pensioners $5
SUMMARY
Werribee is in a precarious position, having lost its last six games and sitting tenth on the table.
Nevertheless, John Lamont's team is just one win off seventh place, and is certainly not out of the finals' race in a tight-fought VFL competition.
Port Melbourne has won its past three games, winning by seven points last week against the Bombers in enemy territory.
THE TEAMS
Werribee
B 2. S Sherlock 34. J Tippett 33. E Vickers-Willis
HB 37. W Fordham 12. J Wilson 17. A Mullett
C 42. D Mountford 11. M Hanson 25. D McFarlane
HF 74. J Anderson 23. B McKay 6. B Speight
F 18. J Porter 48. N Meredith 7. J Jones
R 31. B Preuss 4. T Gribble 13. R Clarke
Int 26. D Nielson 51. R Nahas 29. J Hussey 27. E Petterwood 41. C Wagner 40. K Turner 49. F Ray 38. M Daw 10. J Maishman 39. M Hibberd 28. M Brett 5. I Conway
23P 59. B Houlihan
Will Fordham's running power is vital for Werribee.
Port Melbourne
B 7. S Crocker 31. B Mihocek 35. G Dickson
HB 8. D Van Unen 23. H Sandilands 27. D Mascitti
C 15. L Osborne 22. M Arnot 3. L Tynan
HF 4. T O'Sullivan 21. L Cook 14. D Toman
F 29. C Cain 6. J Lisle 1. M Rivett
R 2. K Haretuku 10. T Pinwill 12. J Tynan
Int 38. J McKenzie 36. L Waddell 60. D Iaccarino 39. K Dove 48. J Halsall 5. S Lange 57. T Hobbs 32. B Pearson
23P 71. M Lee
THE COACH SAID
"The whole last month we’re just not playing well enough – it’s really simple We’re not defending well enough at key times. Too often too much is left to too few.
"It’s been a disappointing month of footy, without doubt." - John Lamont, Star Weekly following Werribee's last game.
THE AFL CONTINGENT
North Melbourne (Werribee)
Lamont will be sweating on the availability of several key players, with the Roos still to confirm their 22 to take on the Eagles.
Jed Anderson, Ryan Clarke and Majak Daw were all in North's initial 25, with each to play a key role for Werribee if they aren't selected.
While Daw mightn't be there, Braydon Preuss has been doing a great job in the ruck for the Tigers, increasing his productivity week-on-week.
Ben McKay was a strong performer in his last game, and will be vital to Werribee's chances in a key-forward post, while the likes of Ed Vickers-Willis and Joel Tippett will be needed to steady the ship in defence.
THE VFL CONTINGENT
Werribee
Nicholas Meredith has been in the Tigers' best in his last three matches, a rich vein of form.
Matt Hanson and Tom Gribble have been among Werribee's most important players all year.
Former Kangaroo Ben Speight is key to the Tigers' forward structure.