Match result: Werribee 9.10.64 defeated by Footscray 18.19.127
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval
Conditions: Soft underfoot after rain, but clear overhead with little wind

Story of the game

Against a Footscray side aiming to finish in the VFL top four, the task ahead was a tough one for Werribee.

It was the Bulldogs who got off to a quick start, kicking five goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 27 points at quarter time.

While Sam Durdin and Ben McKay got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, Footscray still had the better of general play, extending its lead to 44 points at the long break.

Attempting to take the game on as the second half got underway, Werribee looked to take the ball forward as quickly as possible. McKay took a handful of marks working off limited supply, while Ed Vickers-Willis, Mitch Hibberd and Ryan Clarke continued to find plenty of the ball through half-back and the middle.

Unfortunately, it did little to affect the scoreboard, as Footscray continued to stretch its lead. The visitors ran out winners by 63 points, Werribee losing its third match in a row.

The coach said

“We had patches where we played ok, I thought we had some opportunities really early in the game.

“We didn’t take them, and had we taken them we could have put some pressure on (the Bulldogs).

“But they got their heads up, into a nice rhythm and they used the ball far better than we did.

“At the end of the day, they got the result they were after and we didn’t.” – David Loader, NMFC development coach

North players in action

- Ryan Clarke (25 disposals, 10 tackles)
- Sam Durdin (12 disposals, 8 hit-outs, 1 goal)
- Will Fordham (23 disposals, 3 tackles)
- Mitch Hibberd (34 disposals, 7 marks)
- Luke McDonald (20 disposals, 6 marks)
- Ben McKay (11 disposals, 1 goal)
- Robin Nahas (19 disposals, 3 goals)
- Declan Mountford (16 disposals, 4 tackles)
- Braydon Preuss (3 disposals, 6 tackles, 30 hit-outs)
- Joel Tippett (12 disposals)
- Ed Vickers-Willis (20 disposals, 8 marks, 9 tackles)
- Corey Wagner (10 disposals, 4 tackles)

*Stats available approximately 24 hours after publishing

Best of the AFL

Ed Vickers-Willis

Playing off half-back, and on Bulldogs' star Jake Stringer, the second-year Roo was impressive in both his defensive and offensive attributes.

The task required Vickers-Willis to be constantly switched on, given Stringer would often have stints in the midfield.

“The midfielders communicate with me when (Stringer) goes forward, and then the same with me when he goes into the midfield," he said.

“You’ve got to have that trust and because he’s so dangerous, you’ve really got to be careful and keep an eye on him.

“For me, using my endurance and running off when I could was important. When my man is irrelevant to the play, then for me looking to get involved is a big focus from the coaches.”

Best of the VFL

Matt Hanson

As usual, Hanson was one of his side’s best midfielders, racking up possessions at will and continuing his fine season.

Points of interest

1. Luke McDonald made his return from injury, emerging unscathed on his way through three quarters of playing time off half-back.

“It was great to see he got through,” Loader told NMFC.com.au post-match.

“That’s probably the biggest thing from today. He did some nice things and kicked quite well.”

2. It was a new experience for Ryan Clarke, coming back down to the VFL after his first six-game stint in the AFL. His teammates were rapt to have him back helping out through the middle.

“I thought he was terrific. He played with great intensity as he always does, but he really looked like he was up and about early on and that’s the great thing you get with Ryan," Loader said.

“He just knocked up getting his hands on the ball. In the second half he played the mid-forward role he’s played at AFL level, and again looked really dangerous especially in that third quarter."

3. Playing on the wing, Mitch Hibberd provided plenty of run and carry for Werribee as he finishes his first season on North’s list impressively.

“Once he’s able to get into that rhythm he really gets up and down the ground well," Loader said.

“He positioned himself really well a couple of times in defence and got into a great position to intercept mark.

“He certainly gets on the end of it going forward and works hard to get back, so it was another solid performance from Mitch.”

Most likely AFL call-up: Ed Vickers-Willis, Luke McDonald
Next week: Sunday August 28 v Sandringham at Avalon Airport Oval, 2:00pm