After a nail-biting one goal loss to Geelong last week, the Tigers were looking to chalk up another win over a Zebras outfit that had had an indifferent start so far this season.
The Tigers trailed by just a goal at half-time and with a strong home record this counted against them as the game wore on. The second quarter was a different story as Sandringham kicked ahead and was dominant across the ground, particularly in defence.
The second-half was a different story, as the Zebras piled on the goals and capitalised on some sloppy defensive play from the Tigers midfielders.
When they looked to drive the ball forward, there was always a defender ready to pounce and kick it away.
Tigers coach Simon Atkins thought over use of the football cost his charges.
“Just those bits in the between that we have to get right, again our over use of the football cost us today,” he said.
“Second week in a row we just over used the footy and didn’t get it to where we wanted.”
Lachlan Baddeley kicked three goals, but he lacked support from his fellow forwards as none of them could manage more than two goals.
Nick Sautner with seven goals and Matt McGuire five were spearheads for the Zebras.
North Melbourne-listed Levi Greenwood (30 disposals) and fellow midfielder Michael Rockefeller (33 disposals) both put in good performances, with both doing a lot of work around the packs.
Atkins praised the performance of both.
“Levi was set a different challenge today, going forward for him to be able to play with the Kangaroos. He played on Pete Summers who I really rate as a good VFL footballer. I think he kept him to maybe 10 or 12 (disposals) but had 30 himself,” Atkins said.
“I thought Michael Rockefeller was outstanding with his work rate and everything (else).”
Best on ground for the Zebras was St Kilda-listed Robert Eddy (16 disposals), while Raphael Clarke (27 disposals) was also impressive.
Paul Kennelly (2 tackles, 5 blocks and 3 spoils) was great with his defensive pressure, but his efforts couldn’t get his team over the line.
Andrew Banjanin (16 hit-outs) and Brant Dickson (11 hit-outs) shared the ruck duties. Both spent time on the bench, but both were serviceable during their stints in the ruck.
The Werribee Reserves went down by 42-points after winning a thriller against Box Hill Hawks last week 12.6.78 to 18.12.120
After being the dominant side for the first half, some sloppy defending and skill errors cost Werribee dearly.
The home side could manage just three goals for the entire second half in a disappointing performance.
Nathan Black was best on ground for his 34 disposal midfield performance, while fellow midfielder Matt Quigley (34 disposals) also impressed.
David Kovacevic, Jordan Robbins, Jared Risol, Jarrod Mather and North Melbourne listed forward Nathan O’Keefe all kicked two goals.
The Tigers host Northern Bullants on Sunday, with the main game underway at 2pm.
Seniors
Werribee Tigers: 4.5 6.6 9.8 12.11-83
Sandringham: 5.0 9.4 14.9 17.11-113
GOALS:
Werribee Tigers: L. Baddeley 3, T. Bongetti, R. Castello, M. Rockefeller 2, L. Greenwood, A. Obst, M. Barlow
Sandingham: N. Sautner 7, M. Maguire 5, R. Clarke 2, T. Paterakis, L. Miles, T. Lynch
BEST:
Werribee Tigers: L. Greenwood, M. Rockefeller, B. Sharp, R. Castello, P. Kenelley, M. Barlow
Sandringham: R. Eddy, M. Maguire, N. Sautner, R. Clarke, L. Miles, T. Simpkin
North Melbourne listed players:
13. Leigh Adams - 19 possessions
30. Levi Greenwood - 30 possessions, 5 clearances, 2 tackles
39. Luke Delaney - 11 possessions, 2 spoils
40. Alan Obst - 19 possessions, 3 hit-outs, 3 spoils.
47. Conor Meredith - 3 possessions
Reserves
Werribee Tigers: 4.2 9.4 10.4 12.6 (78)
Sandringham: 1.6 3.7 14.9 18.12 (120)
GOALS:
Werribee Tigers: Robbins 2 O'Keefe 2 Risol 2 Mather 2 Kovacevic 2 McKerracher Quigley
Sandringham: Cahill 3 Dean 2 Eddy 2 Tungatalum 2 Gileno 2 Lockwood 2 Gilchrist McGarry Johnston Harektuku Gribbin
BEST:
Werribee Tigers: Black Kovacevic Haby Speight Robbins Magnabosco
Sandringham: McGarry Liddell Garrubba Gilchrist McGrath Howard
North Melbourne listed players:
46. Ben Speight - 23 possessions, 2 tackles
48. Nathan O'Keefe - 10 possessions, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goal
