Match result: Werribee 15.13.103 defeated Frankston 12.6.78
Venue: Frankston Oval
Conditions: Fine in first half, rain caused a slog thereafter
In action:
- Daniel Currie (13 disposals, 46 hit-outs)
- Kieran Harper (10 disposals)
- Taylor Hine (20 disposals)
- Tim McGenniss (13 disposals)
- Jamie Macmillan (18 disposals, 6 marks)
- Mason Wood (20 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles)
- Scott McMahon (20 disposals, 9 marks)
NMFC.com.au's best: Scott McMahon
Matchups
- Daniel Currie v Russell Gabriel
“Crush ended up getting the better of him (Gabriel), but he certainly made him work for it.
“He (Currie) was a bit more prominent in the second half. Just his follow-up stuff from a ruck contest where he went and followed up, was able to get it out or put a block on was good.” – Development Manager Gavin Brown
- Tim McGenniss v Leigh Kitchin
Story of the game
Despite booting the three goals of the game, the Tigers didn’t have it all their own way.
“Frankston play a style in which they really hold the ball up with their ball movement, and slow the game up a little bit.
“With the ground being so long and so narrow, they know how to play it pretty well, so it was a bit of a frustrating start to the first half.”
The Dolphins were within 15 points at the main change, but with a place in the finals on the line, Werribee responded with a four goal to one third term.
“The weather came in and it rained for pretty much the whole of the second half. It became a bit of a slog.
“I don’t know whether the helped us, but we certainly looked a bit better in those conditions than the opposition.
“It was a tough win. It was an unconventional sort of game, just because of the lack of space you get down there (at Frankston Oval).”
Points of interest
1. Scott McMahon could be making a late charge for a September call-up after a strong defensive game.
“He was terrific. He was our best player by far.
“He won all of his one-on-ones. His defensive position was outstanding. His use of the footy was fantastic.”
Only a consistent Kangaroos’ back six will make it difficult to win back his spot.
“It was just a great game really. He had to play tall there for a while on the last line, and the ball came through his opponent a fair bit.
“He was pretty desperate, pretty urgent and I really liked his game.”
2. Jamie Macmillan is doing everything he can to push for a spot in North’s finals’ team.
“He was solid. He worked his way into the game. He had 5 disposals in the first half and 13 in the second, so he got better as the game went on.
“He was on the upward curve from last week. It was a much more consistent performance.
“He was much better just through general conditioning and match fitness.”
3. Handed a stopping role at half-time, North rookie Tim McGenniss played a vital role in the Tigers’ victory.
“He was going along OK as a wing/conventional midfielder, but Leigh Kitchen had 21 possessions in the first half, so John Lamont wanted Timmy to take him out of the game.
“He went and sat on him in the midfield in the second half and Kitchen only had the 4 touches, so he did a fantastic job.”
4. With limited space around the ball, Mason Wood found the going a little tougher this week.
“It wasn’t his best game, but the numbers stack up pretty well statistically.”
With 20 possessions and 4 tackles, the agile forward worked hard all day.
“He didn’t have the space that truly suits him to get his running game going, but to his credit he still had a bit of the footy and an impact.”
Most likely call-up: Scott McMahon, Jamie Macmillan, Mason Wood
Next week: Elimination Final v North Ballarat – Sunday 2.10pm at North Port Oval
Werribee Report Card: Round 20
Scott McMahon and Jamie Macmillan were strong performers for Werribee on Sunday.