Although he's been out of mainstream football for quite some time, taking on Brendan Fevola is still a daunting challenge for any defender. Playing for Werribee in the VFL, Robbie Tarrant (18 possessions) rose to the occasion and came out with flying colours.

Playing at full-back again, Tarrant restricted Fevola to just two goals and dominated him all over the ground. North Melbourne development coach John Lamont was glowing in his assessment of the young defender.

"We've tossed him (Tarrant) around a bit this year...forward, back, forward, back...I thought he did a really good job and ran off Fevola really well a couple of times and exposed him a bit. In the man-on-man positioning and body work, it was a very solid performance. You know, it was a big job and he did well and was in the best players for sure."

The Werribee Tigers managed to hold off a fast finishing Casey Scorpions' outfit in the spiteful encounter and Lamont was quick to point out an impressive first half performance from Gavin Urquhart (19 possessions, one goal) in the 12 point win.

"I'm rapt with Gav's early efforts and he had 15 touches in the first two quarters. He penetrated the game and showed good pace but just tightened up in the lower back. I'm not sure if he got a knock in it but he just didn't have the same impact in the second half. He's had a bit of treatment and hopefully it's something that will settle down. He was on track for a mid-20's to 30 possession game and it was a pleasing effort."

Ruckman Hamish McIntosh (24 possessions, 17 hit-outs, one goal) took another positive step forward in his second game back from achilles issues. Wearing number 73, McIntosh covered the ground exceptionally well and created a tantalising target up forward for the Tigers' midfielders.

"The big fella was like an extra midfielder out there at times with his follow up work in the ruck and his ability to stay involved in the play. He's had 20-odd touches, played about 100 minutes, got on the scoreboard with about three scoring shots and his body feels good," Lamont commented.

Starting in the ruck and swapping positions with McIntosh throughout the afternoon was rookie Majak Daw (22 possessions, four marks, 18 hit-outs, one goal) who continues to impress.

"He had increased game time and rucked pretty well despite good opposition in Max Gawn. Majak just continues to improve every week so it's really pleasing."

At Daw's feet in the middle, Ben Ross (20 possessions, one goal) played one of his best games for the year.

"He's ended up with 20 touches but was more involved with the defensive side of his game in applying pressure and pressing up when he needed to, so I was very happy with his effort today."

Ben Speight (19 possessions) had some good moments and provided plenty of run, but Lamont wants to see a lot more from the talented South Australian.

"I thought there were times when he could have got involved in the play a little bit earlier because when he did get involved, his speed and good ball use was encouraging. There were some good highlights in there though."

With no Ben McKinley or Cameron Pedersen, Ben Warren (10 possessions, three goals) was left to shoulder much of the work up forward and relished the opportunity. However an ankle injury in the third term caused a pre-mature end to his afternoon.

"In game that was probably pretty tough for forwards, I thought his work-rate was consistent and he came up to the ball well. Overall it was a pretty solid effort from him and hopefully his ankle will be alright."

Back in the VFL after playing at the highest level, Kieran Harper (14 possessions, 1 goal) showed why he's rated so highly with a brilliant, hard-running effort down the wing. The North Melbourne draftee managed to sprint about 100 metres while keeping possession of the ball under pressure, evade a tackle and pump the ball long inside the forward fifty which set up his side's 10th goal.

"He really backed his speed and athleticism in that piece of play and we need to see more of that but I think he's still finding his way. It was a pretty hot VFL game today but it was another little step forward from him and he did some impressive things, we just need to see more of it."

Werribee Tigers 3.4  6.9  12.11  15.12 (102)
Casey Scorpions 1.3  4.7  6.12  13.12 (90)

Werribee Tigers
Goal Kickers: R. Castello 3, B. Warren 3, D. Schibeci 2, H. McIntosh , G. Urquhart , K. Harper , B. Mangan , B. Ross , M. Daw , J. Mather
Best Players: R. Tarrant, J. Mather, S. Tighe, T. Tuck, B. Ross, K. Hartigan

Casey Scorpions
Goal Kickers: L. Dunn 3, B. Fevola 2, C. Bartram 2, M. Gawn 2, M. Bate , T. Mohr , R. McGough , L. Cook
Best Players: A. Maric, T. Davis, T. Mohr, T. McNamara, L. Tapscott, M. Gawn