Match result: Werribee 8.10.58 def. Casey 8.5.53
Venue: Casey Fields
Conditions: Cold, wet and windy, 12c.

In action:
Sam Wright (28 disposals, 6 marks)
Kieran Harper (12 disposals)
Mason Wood (15 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals)
Tim McGenniss (10 disposals, 3 tackles)
Kayne Turner (13 disposals, 1 goal)
Taylor Hine (17 disposals)
Daniel Currie (17disposals, 33 hit-outs, 6 marks)
Scott McMahon (23 possessions, 10 marks)

NMFC.com.au’s best: Currie, Wright, McMahon, Wood, McGenniss

What the coach said: 
“Early on, I was really pleased with how we were playing. The first ten minutes was really good because we were kicking into the wind but then we fell asleep at the wheel and the opposition kicked five goals in about eight minutes.

“To hold a team to one goal in the second half, it was a team defence, everyone got involved the midfielders, the wingers…everyone played their role. Really happy we can go into the break now with our noses in front on the win/loss ledger; we’re three wins two losses.”

Key match ups:
1. McGenniss v Jordie McKenzie
“McKenzie, is a real ball winner and Timmy completely nullified his influence on the game.  Tim did a terrific job, completely taking him out of the game. His role was to limit McKenzie’s influence and he certainly did that.” - Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown

2. Harper v Jimmy Toumpas
“Kieran played on Toumpas, who was Casey’s best player, in bits and pieces. It was not necessarily a lock-down role but he had an impact and it was a good battle.”

Story of the game:
Coming off a huge 102-point win over the Northern Blues, Werribee was slow off the mark against the Scorpions in miserable conditions. 

Casey held a three-goal lead over the Tigers at half time but some home truths from senior coach John Lamont stirred Werribee’s players to fight for victory in the second half.

“JL (Lamont) just told them they were making a lot of fundamental errors. He gave them a bit of reminder that they needed to get their energy up, the run was there but they were making some basic mistakes. We were making critical errors but eradicated that,” Brown explained.

“When the players got to it at half time, they just ran them (the Scorpions) down. Slowly but surely we got on top of them at the right time. In the last quarter, we got in front and maintained it.

“Casey came back with a late goal in the last 30-40 seconds, but thankfully we had done enough. It was a really hard fought game, a real credit to our guys in tough conditions.”

Points of interest:
1. It was North’s young guns who earned some of the highest praise and recognition from Brown after the come-from-behind win. Mason Wood, Tim McGenniss and Kayne Turner were three of the impressive performers, all showing great signs.

“Mason is starting to really put his hand up (for senior selection). He’s had seven goals in the past two weeks; his work-rate was terrific in the second half today. He kicked three goals when we really needed them. He’s hitting the scoreboard every week and performing well in that third tall, key-forward role. He should be pleased with how he went.

“Tim’s got the fitness attributes to be able to run with quality AFL players and it’s a real credit to him to be able to completely remove their influence in a game. He hasn’t been beaten so far this year, he is very determined and mentally strong, he looks forward to the challenge and he researches his opponents and prepares extremely well.

“Kayne had a really solid game again. Some of his tackling was magnificent. He had a fantastic smother in the third quarter which was a really inspirational act. Like the whole team, he had a bit of a quiet first half, but he played a bit higher up the ground in the second half and it paid dividends.”

2. Scott McMahon once again displayed his maturity and experience in the defensive half, leading the way with Wright and Hine.

“Scott was really good. He is a real general down there, orchestrating all our defensive moves in the backline. 

“Sam had a lot of the footy and was really solid defensively. He ran really hard from the back half. He had a really complete second half performance.

“Taylor was involved in some really critical contests that he won in the last quarter. He would be really pleased with his game, he was composed when the game was in the balance.

“None of the defenders were matched on one player for the day, they were all rotating a fair bit, but they kept Casey to just one goal in the second half which was fantastic.”

3. Daniel Currie bounced back after a quiet game last week and was efficient in the wet.

“Daniel was good, really involved from an offensive point. He took a couple of really telling marks, really good contested grabs in breezy and slippery conditions. It was a pretty even battle in the ruck but he stood out and managed to get a lot of the footy. He went up forward in stints but spent most of his time in the ruck.”

4. Kieran Harper was sluggish at first but a change in position rejuvenated the 21-year old who had eight possessions in the second half.

“Kieran started in the middle but didn’t get too much of the footy. He went onto the wing in and had a good impact, he was much better in the second half.”

Most likely call-ups: Wood, Wright, McMahon, Currie 
Next week: Bye
Next match: Sandringham Zebras – Trevor Barker Beach Oval, May 17 at 2pm