Like Drew Petrie, North forward Ben McKinley took a game by the scruff of the neck on Sunday and willed his side to the finish line. Though it wasn’t quite enough to get Werribee over the line against Williamstown with the Tigers falling 2-points short, the 25-year old’s recent form can’t be denied.

In front for most of the day, Werribee let its lead slip, but two late goals from McKinley almost clawed the club to victory.

“We got headed and Ben kicked a goal. We got headed again and he took a towering mark late in the game and put us back in front,” North Melbourne development coach John Lamont told kangaroos.com.au.

He finished the day with 5 majors, making it 10 goals in the past two games, 15 disposals and 6 marks.

“He’s (McKinley) played good steady footy all year and Ben Warren the same.

“McKinley hasn’t had an opportunity in the AFL all year which is unfortunate for him, but that’s where his character is a credit to him and the way he’s been able to continue to play well is pretty impressive.”

Lamont believes McKinley and Warren would perform well in the Kangaroos’ line-up, but acknowledges there just aren’t any spots available.

“I’ve said all along in match committee I’d be comfortable, if there was a role there for them, that they could come in and play AFL. If Ben McKinley was to come in now, he’d have to adjust to the speed of the game again but in terms of commitment to tasks and getting things done they’ve both done a really good job.

“Their attitude has been terrific. Obviously in the AFL at the minute we’re going with three 195 centimetre blokes and then smalls and it’s Warren, McKinley and Aaron Edwards, who are all about 6-foot-and-a-bit sized, missing out because there’s not the role there for them.”

McKinley and Warren (14 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals) were named in the best players along with team-mates Majak Daw (15 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals), Brad Mangan (10 disposals), and Cam Pedersen (20 disposals, 6 marks).

Lamont said Daw spent more time as a forward and had a significant impact.

“That was the plan going in to the game, to use Majak in front of goals more than in the ruck. We had three guys rotating through the ruck throughout the day.

“Peddo (Pedersen) also played in the ruck a bit and his form has also been outstanding of late.”

Ayden Kennedy (14 disposals, 7 marks) continued his solid work as a defender, Will Sierakowski (18 disposals, 4 marks) was active on the wing while Ben Speight (6 disposals) and Malcolm Lynch (9 disposals, 5 tackles) couldn’t get into the game.

Williamstown 4.0, 5.3, 9.6, 14.7 (91)
Werribee 4.5, 6.7, 10.9, 13.11 (89)

Goals
Williamstown: Jones 3, Carr 2, Conway 2, Roughead, Hooper, Jolley, Panos, Campbell, Skinner, Wall
Werribee: McKinley 5, Warren 3, Daw 2, Ablett, Moloney, Castello

Bests
Williamstown: Jolley, Johannisen, Wall, Goodes, Jones, Carr
Werribee: McKinley, Pedersen, Daw, Warren, Mangan, Hartigan