Match result: Werribee 15.18.108 defeated Coburg 7.8.50
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval
In action
- Ben Brown (12 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals)
- Will Fordham (14 disposals, 6 tackles)
- Kieran Harper (13 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles)
- Luke McDonald (22 disposals, 9 marks, 10 handball receives)
- Scott McMahon (26 disposals, 9 marks)
- Kayne Turner (11 disposals, 4 tackles)
- Eric Wallace (9 disposals, 39 hit-outs)
- Mason Wood (19 disposals, 8 marks)
NMFC.com.au's best: Ben Brown, Mason Wood
Story of the game
A five goal to one opening term set the tone for John Lamont's team against Coburg.
“Werribee was on top early and keeping control of the footy,” Development Manager Ben Dyer said.
“They were going quick into those marking targets they had in Mason (Wood) and Benny Brown, so they were getting the result on the scoreboard.”
By half-time Werribee held a 41-point lead, but the game wasn't over just yet.
“The third quarter is starting to become a bit of an issue for Werribee. The last three games have been really ordinary after half-time.
“I think they conceded four goals and only kicked one in the third term, but they were able to get things back on track and finish the game full of running.”
A six goal to one final term eventually saw Werribee home by 58 points.
Points of interest
1. Ben Brown handled his omission terrifically, booting four goals in a key-forward post.
“They (Coburg) really struggled to defend him when he had the opportunity to get on the move inside 50,” Dyer said.
“He played on (Michael) Hartley who is one of the better defenders in the VFL and easily could have kicked five or six.
“He’s really working on his impact in the air, but also as soon as it hits ground level he’s able to pressure and keep the ball in.
“He’s doing a bit of work during the week on that part of his game and there were some pleasing signs in that regard as well.”
2. Mason Wood was an impressive performer for the Tigers, putting his hand up for a senior recall.
“He played forward a little bit more than he has been for Werribee during the year,” Dyer said.
“He just looked like an AFL footballer playing in the VFL.
“He was really strong in the air and took a number of contested marks working up really high.
“In terms of working on the things he’s needed to since he’s gone out of the side, he’s been tracking really well.”
3. Luke McDonald and Scott McMahon led the charge from defence, both having a big impact.
“He’s well aware of the areas he needs to get better at,” Dyer said of McDonald.
“A lot of that is his ability to defend first and then offence will take care of itself after that.
“That’s exactly what he’s doing. He’s a lot harder to play on before the ball arrives.
“I think he’s learning that even though you defend first and you have that mentality, you can still offensively work just as hard and get the ball on the way out.”
McMahon was one of the Tigers’ better performers.
“Credit to him, when he is back at Werribee he sets them up. He organises them,” Dyer said.
“He didn’t do a lot wrong ... made some really good decisions. We know that he can do that and to his credit he goes back and does it every time.”
4. Big man Eric Wallace stepped up in the absence of Daniel Currie (foot) and Majak Daw (AFL).
“It’s really pleasing to see his two games back now at VFL level this year have been really strong,” Dyer said.
“The centre bounces he jumped over his opponent. The stoppages around the ground he used his strength. It was a real thinking game as far as his ruck technique went.
“Pleasingly, he found a little bit of the ball around the ground which hasn’t always been a strength of his.”
5. Rookie Will Fordham continues to impress, but this week it wasn’t with the ball in hand.
“He had less impacts stats wise, but has had a real focus on getting a few things right defensively,” Dyer said.
“It’s a good lesson for him that might mean less impact on the stats sheet, but the value for the team is probably a little bit higher.
"We know he's got speed and endurance attributes that are probably elite already – he’s going to run with the best at AFL level. But he just needs to be across the defensive side of the game.”
Most likely call-up: Ben Brown
Next week: Saturday July 11 v Geelong – 12.00pm at Avalon Airport Oval
