Only a handful of Werribee administrators and doctors witnessed Nathan Grima and Leigh Adams playing for the first time this year during an VFL intra-club match at Arden Street.
For Grima, it was an important step as he aims to be ready for the home and away season.
“It’s a bit of déjà vu, because every year it seems like I’m playing in Werribee’s trial matches at this time of year trying to race the clock for fitness,” Grima told NMFC.com.au.
“In an ideal world you get a good pre-season and preparation with the boys, but unfortunately that’s not the case again this year.”
Grima looked comfortable at full-back, matching up against team-mate Ben Brown.
The pair traded blows early, with Brown taking a towering mark in the first quarter and slotting a goal, while the defender registered several key spoils and found plenty of the ball himself.
“We played for about 40 or 50 minutes of match-play and because it was an intra-club there wasn’t a lot of collisions or hits which was probably ideal for the first run back, but I felt really good.
“I’m just trying to fast-track my fitness and get back as quick as I can, and give myself every chance to be in the mix for selection for Round 1.”
Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown was pleased with the number 17’s first hit-out.
“He was a little bit scratchy, but there were some really good signs and it was a fantastic introduction to play two 20’s or thereabouts and get that intensity rather playing a full game,” he said.
Adams also got through unscathed playing across half-forward as he continues his comeback from minor knee surgery.
“He looked good. He moved pretty well. Obviously conditioning wise he’s got a bit of work to do, but it was a good little hit-out for him and he got a bit of the footy too.”
Levi Greenwood and Liam Anthony were among those to get their hands on the ball regularly through the midfield, while Max Warren was strong in defence.
But for Brown, the most pleasing performance came from Eric Wallace.
“I thought his ruck-work was really good and his follow-up work was terrific so he’s continuing on the upward curve,” he added.
Despite not seeing the American rookie in action last season, Wallace’s development has already caught the eye of the seasoned coach.
“He’s got a hell of a long way to go obviously, but from what I can see, in close he almost becomes an extra midfielder because of his agility. That’s what he’s concentrating on and something he could be really good at.
“He’s a unique type. He’s not a tall ruckman, but he’s very agile, so his ability to follow-up at ground level is something he could make his own.”
