Match result: Werribee 10.10.70 defeated Box Hill 9.14.68
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval
Conditions: Mostly sunny with mild breeze blowing across the ground that increased in the second half
Story of the game
Coming off a humiliating loss to Williamstown, the heat was on Werribee to bounce back.
The Tigers were again jumped early as Box Hill kicked the first three goals of the game. However this time, there was an immediate fightback. Aaron Black marked strongly and goaled to get Werribee on the board, and a string of three in a row saw the home side take the lead midway through the second quarter.
The game tightened up after Werribee put its nose in front, with only one more goal before half time. At the long break, Box Hill lead by just four points and the scene was set for a tight finish.
The start of the third quarter was much like the beginning of the first. Box Hill dominated territory but were inaccurate, kicking 2.7 for the term.
Werribee took advantage of its limited chances and Black remained dangerous up forward adding two more for the term.
The Tigers kicked 4.1 for the term and took the lead by two points with a quarter to play.
A quality snap 50 metres out from Corey Wagner to start the final term gave Werribee its biggest lead of the day at eight points. But Box Hill bit back immediately, reclaiming the momentum with a quick reply and eventually tying the scores 10 minutes into the quarter.
The game was extremely tight the rest of the way, but when the Hawks hit the lead 24 minutes into the last, it appeared they had all the momentum.
But there was to be one final twist. From a Hawks miss, Werribee went coast to coast. Aaron Black picked the ball up outside 50 and belted it home for what would turn out to be the match winning goal.
What John Lamont said
Pre-game
“That locker room spirit, that playing spirit, continually supporting each other minute by minute. It’s not just individual defence, it’s team defence. Let’s make sure we’re communicating and instructing.”
QT: Werribee 2.0.12 v Box Hill 3.0.18
“We want to use space, we want to run and overlap. Someone might have to come up and get the ball for that to happen. A really positive start in terms of our plans and structure. Let’s make sure the team defence attitude is there.”
3QT: Werribee 7.5.47 v Box Hill 6.9.45
“We came inside, we scored inside. We were disciplined, we were organised. Let’s have composure now when we get the ball, hold firm to our game plan. We just need to keep going. Nothing easy to your opponent.”
FT: Werribee 10.10.70 v Box Hill 9.14.68
“We played to instructions and were really good. It went right down to the wire, but I think people would have been really pleased with the output.
“It was a really even contribution across the board.”
By the numbers
Aaron Black – 12 disposals, 5, marks, 4 goals
Ryan Clarke – 26 disposals
Trent Dumont – 31 disposals
Sam Durdin – 8 disposals
Ben McKay – 2 disposals, 3 tackles
Declan Mountford – 10 disposals, 4 tackles
Daniel Nielson – 12 disposals, 4 marks
Braydon Preuss – 43 hit-outs, 10 disposals
Farren Ray – 25 disposals, 6 marks
Joel Tippett – 17 disposals, 8 marks
Ed Vickers-Willis – 19 disposals, 6 marks
Corey Wagner – 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal
Best of the AFL
Aaron Black
After four goals last week against Williamstown, Black backed it up with a quality performance against the undefeated Hawks.
RELATED: Black's 'gamble' pays off
Trent Dumont
No player on the field had more than Dumont’s 31 disposals.
“His use of handball was excellent,” development coach David Loader told NMFC.com.au.
“He was able to bring guys into the game everywhere with those handballs and then also have a lot of clearances.”
Best of the VFL
Matt Hanson – 27 disposals, five tackles
In what’s becoming a weekly occurrence, Hanson again was influential through the centre of the ground. Another 27 disposals was the final tally for the Tiger as the entire midfield group bounced back from the performance against Williamstown.
Points of interest
1. A model of consistency, Farren Ray had another 25 disposals for Werribee. On Sunday he impressed in multiple areas of the game.
“Faz just never lets you down. Today his overhead marking was a highlight,” Loader said.
“He almost plays through the midfield like a tall, just because he’s so good overhead. His structure work was fantastic and he got back and helped defensively when he was needed.
“He’s played 200 AFL games and he’s playing in the midfield with a couple of guys who have only played a handful of VFL games.
“The experience there and the learning he’s able to give the younger guys is massive. He’s just so reliable.”
2. Braydon Preuss was almost the sole ruckman for Werribee. In the absence of Majak Daw, the second year Roo stepped up.
“He’s played at least 80 per cent of the game in the ruck,” Loader explained.
“He had to be predominantly just a ruckman today, he didn’t play forward. He stepped up to the plate, had 43 hit-outs and the role was really good to him.”
3. Corey Wagner’s pressure at ground level was impressive. According to development manager Ben Dyer, a key part of his upbringing has been vital to his efforts.
“He’s got a knack of turning up at the right time, which is a characteristic of good small forwards. He can also close down, trap the ball and press up is important as well.
“Coming out of the Brisbane academy system, they get exposure to modern footy. He just knows what to do in those areas, which perhaps other guys out of Under 18 programs wouldn’t.
“He’s a little ahead of where others would be for that reason.”
4. Declan Mountford continued his consistent first year in the VFL, notching another impressive game in the middle.
“Mountford was really solid again without being outstanding,” Loader said.
“His ability to pressure players and just play his role at stoppages was really good.
“He’s been very consistent, and especially in the last two to three weeks his defensive stuff has been good.
“It’s another solid game out of him, which was great to see.”
5. Dan Nielson and Joel Tippett made their VFL senior returns from injury – for Nielson it was his VFL debut, while Tippett had missed the last six weeks due to a back injury.
“Joel was important, particularly in being able to organise our defensive shape. Having his experience back there to work in with the other defenders helped a lot.
“For Dan, sometimes we forget he’s still basically out of the Under 18’s because he only played a couple of practice matches last year before he got hurt.
“Today was a baptism of fire, that’s for sure. His spoiling is a big part of the game and we saw that today on a number of occasions. He’s worked a lot on his kicking and today he took the right options.”
Most likely AFL call-up: Aaron Black
Next week: Sunday May 22 v Sandringham, 2:00pm at Trevor Barker Oval
