It was evident very early in Sunday’s VFL clash that the tall forward trio of Majak Daw, Sam Durdin and Ben McKay were going to cause some damage on the scoreboard.
Durdin had multiple early scoring shots, while Daw was ominous and McKay was providing a dangerous target leading up at the ball.
And as they started, they finished. Daw and Durdin kicked four goals each, while McKay booted two.
The three Roos also dominated in the air; between them they took 24 marks to go with their 10 goals as Werribee coasted to a 63-point victory.
In a setup which almost replicated what the Kangaroos use in the AFL, it was no surprise each of the players were in good spirits post-match.
“The ball use from the half back line into the forward line was quicker and gave all of the forwards so much more opportunity,” McKay explained.
“The communication was much better than the last few weeks and it was good to see Durds and Maj get on the end of a couple and keep improving.”
McKay was often the Werribee target on the lead, using his 199 centimetre frame to good effect.
The majority of his seven marks were taken coming up towards the ball. It also meant more space for Durdin and Daw to roam closer to goal when need be.
“It’s been a big focus, the three talls working together, not getting too close and getting separation,” Durdin explained.
“I thought today we were able to do that really well and we were all able to take some nice grabs and impact the game in a big way.”
Daw, the most senior of the bunch at 25, will likely take the majority of the attention after his four goals and nine marks as he seeks to go straight back into the AFL side.
But before any thoughts of that crossed his mind, he revealed how the work done during the week helped himself, Durdin and McKay work well in tandem.
“It’s such a good feeling, seeing things we’ve been doing at training translate into games," Daw said.
“We’ve been doing a lot of marking at training, and both Benny and Durds looked confident out there.
“It makes us an effective forward line.”
As Werribee makes a late charge towards a potential finals appearance, the performances of the tall forwards will hold the key.
Whether Daw is there or playing for the Roos, the work done with Durdin and McKay will mean the Tigers still have plenty of goal-scoring power.