Match: Werribee v North Ballarat
Result: Werribee 15.16.106 defeated North Ballarat 12.12.84
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
Weather: Strong wind favouring one end, mild conditions

In action

Majak Daw (13 disposals, 3 goals, 13 hit-outs)
Kieran Harper (17 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 goals, 6 clearances)
Taylor Hine (21 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles)
Jarred ‘Bulldog’ Moore (29 disposals, 4 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 7 clearances)
Tim McGenniss (13 disposals, 6 inside 50s)
Kayne Turner (12 disposals, 6 tackles)
Mason Wood (17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles)

Story of the game

The sides were greeted with a strong wind favouring one end at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee. North Ballarat was able to gain first use of the breeze and took advantage, kicking four goals to one and leading by 19 points at the first break.

However it quickly became evident the Roosters had not done enough. Werribee broke the game wide open in the second quarter, kicking seven goals to two. It reversed the 19 point deficit and turned it into a 17 point half time lead.

There were just three goals against the breeze in the first half. In the third quarter North Ballarat only conceded two points, again taking the lead. Five unanswered goals meant the Roosters led by 16 points with a quarter to play but the question was, 'How well would Werribee finish with the wind?'.

The answer was delivered in quick time. The Tigers put together their second seven-goal quarter of the afternoon. With the Roosters only managing one major of their own, the home side eventually ran out comfortable 22-point victors.

What the coach said

John Lamont quarter-time

“We had so much positive play, and yes, we didn’t take some of our opportunities…but we took the heads off and put the pumpkins on and gave them two goals late! You’ve got to be harder on yourselves, you’re better than that!

“…is all that relatively simple? Of course it is! We’re not trying to split the atom here! Let’s make sure we’re thinking about what we’re doing!”

“Stop trying to go over the top of Eric Wallace…he’s a block of flats!”

John Lamont three quarter-time

“We’re going up into the breeze and just need to take a bit of time off the clock…nah, blokes are thinking, ‘I want to get on the stats sheet’…putting that above the team! Just slow it down!

“Undisciplined! Undisciplined! And you never, ever want to be in a team that is branded that way but that’s how you’ve played!

“The acid is on everyone here, to make sure that you get the job done…get your shit organised!”

Points of interest

1. Taylor Hine’s game continues to evolve with the Kangaroos’ development coaches exploring a variety of different roles for him in order to expand his skill set.

“I thought he was really proactive on his opponent. He was able to lead him to the footy a few times and that’s been a strength of his over the last three or four weeks. He’s been really decisive in making the decision to ‘go’ and was able to link-up and overlap and I thought he had the defensive side of his game in check also.

“There’s a real place in the side for a player that can ensure a dangerous opposition player doesn’t get off the chain and he’s one of those players. But he’s adding other strings to his bow with some offensive attack and ball winning ability." - Ben Dyer

2. Majak Daw was quiet early, but stood up in the fourth quarter with two important goals and some great contested marking.

“At three-quarter time John Lamont really put it on his players to be accountable and to take some responsibility and I though Maj was one of those who responded well to that.

“The ball coming in to him also improved in the final quarter which allowed him to get a run at the ball and clean up a few Roosters.” - Ben Dyer

3. Mason Wood’s flexibility is becoming a real feature of his game.

“There’s a not too many guys that can go forward and take a strong mark but also have the aerobic endurance and speed to go up and find the ball through the midfield. He’s also playing well being that link player between the back-half and the forward-half of the ground.

“He’s a rare type of player that can bring a number of elements to any game so we’ve got to give him every chance to develop all those parts and that’s what we’re doing through the VFL.” - Ben Dyer

4. The Frog and the Dog.

Many were anticipating a match-up between North development coach Jarred ‘Bulldog Moore’ and Trent ‘Froggy’ Dumont, but it didn’t eventuate with the players barely sighting each other on the day.

5. North Melbourne’s number one ticket holder and former Australia Cricket captain Ricky Ponting was a keen observer at the game and was very impressed by the ferocity of Werribee coach John Lamont’s three-quarter time speech.

Most likely call-up: Taylor Hine
Next week: Collingwood - Victoria Park - Saturday 12th July - 1:00pm