For Will Fordham, Saturday’s VFL performance against North Ballarat was a positive sign his focus areas are improving.
Werribee defeated the Roosters by 11 points, largely thanks to a fast start. Six goals in the first term earned the home side a lead it would never relinquish, and Fordham was a large part of it.
A handful of first quarter disposals proved influential, including multiple score involvements.
“The main (focus) today was to take the game on and break the lines,” Fordham told NMFC.com.au post-match.
“I wanted to back myself really, back my legs and I was able to do that a bit.
“It was a quick start and I got a bit of it which was nice to get the confidence up early and then (I) went off that for the rest of the games.”
Now in his second year at Arden Street, the rookie-listed 20-year-old impressed with his running ability in 2015.
As 2016 started, Fordham aimed to round out his game by improving his ability to win his own ball. But in recent weeks, as Werribee struggled to find a victory, he admitted he strayed too far away from his strengths.
“Previously I’d been focusing on the contested stuff,” Fordham explained.
“So I sort of went away from taking the game on, and today I got back to it which was nice.”
A slight change in the way Werribee played on Saturday helped Fordham and the team in particular.
During the Tigers’ losing streak, opponents had been able to stop quick ball movement, making it harder for Fordham to get involved in play.
“(My play) really depends on the sort of game style which we play.
“We’ve gone back to feeding it back and using our hands out of the stoppages which has helped heaps with my sort of game and how I want to play.”
The main feeling for Werribee in the rooms after the game was relief.
With the losing streak snapped, the Tigers’ season is still alive.
“It’s so good, I didn’t know how to celebrate, whether to smile or wave,” Fordham joked.
“We deserved (the win), our pressure was up. They (the Roosters) came hard late and we stood up which was nice.
“To North Ballarat’s credit they’re a really contested team, they fought back really well and it was good just to hold on.”
Next up for Fordham and Werribee is the Northern Blues on Sunday, televised live on Channel 7 in Victoria.
Fordham finding focus
For Will Fordham, Saturday’s VFL performance was a positive sign his focus areas are improving.