The Werribee Tigers pulled off a major upset on Saturday, defeating defending premiers North Ballarat by 27 points at Eureka Stadium.

After last week blowing any chance of a win against Frankston in the last quarter, the Tigers were consistent across all four quarters with a performance that reminiscent of how they played earlier this season.

The Tigers played consistent and aggressive football for four quarters and despite stumbling at times at during the last, it wasn’t enough for North Ballarat to capitalise on in a bid to gain some momentum.

Coach Simon Atkins asked for his charges to be aggressive and determined at the contest, something that they did as they pulled off an unexpected upset.

Atkins was pleased to rebound from last week’s disappointing performance.

“The rebound part of it is probably the really pleasing part of it,” he said.

“I think they really rebounded well and played some consistent and hard football.”

“Today I thought we were really consistent across it, that’s where our groups at we just need everyone pulling in the right direction and today I was really proud of how they went about it.”

He was particularly impressed with how his back six performed and rebounded the ball out of defence.

“To be able to keep that (North Ballarat) forward line, which on paper looked really potent I thought our back six really worked well, we got our rotations right and our midfield rolled back to help them,” he said.

Scott Howard (27 disposals) was best on ground for his consistent midfield drive and run from defence, Atkins rated his performance highly.

“Today I thought his consistency probably was an example to everyone,” he said.

“Whenever we can get him to be an attacking player it really works in our favour and today we were able to do that.”

Midfielders Dominic Gleeson (23 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 block) and Flinn Chisholm (19 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 block) both did a mountain of work around the packs as the Roosters looked to move the ball forward.

Nathan Grima was a major part of the Werribee back six and their efforts to restrict the Roosters forward from receiving the ball with ease. Fellow North Melbourne-listed player Leigh Adams (22 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 block) worked hard in the midfield as he provided plenty of run and dash.

After stating that finals were no longer on his mind last week, Atkins was more concerned with charges playing consistently.

“I’m not talking about the finals here, it was about where the group was at to be beaten by Frankston like we were,” he said.

“I think they really rebounded really well, they played some consistent and hard football.”

Mobile ruckman David Kovacevic took the number of senior Tigers debutants to 15 after some impressive games in the reserves and finished the game with a team high 12 hit-outs.

Best for the Roosters was North-Melbourne rookie Cruize Garlett for his impressive 26 disposal midfield performance.

Bill Driscoll booted three goals for the Roosters, but no home side other player could manage to kick more than one.

The Werribee Reserves back up their trilling two points win over Frankston last week, with a two-goal win 10.16.76 to 9.10.64

The Tigers started reasonably well, but coach Darren Findlay would have like to have his charges in front by more than a goal at quarter time.

They lead at every other change, including by 13-points at the main break and despite a last quarter Roosters fight back, Werribee held on to record an impressive victory.

North-Melbourne listed Matt Riggio was best on ground for his 42 disposal midfield game that also included a staggering 14 clearances.

Jarrod Mather (29 disposals) proved his worth as midfielder after predominantly playing as a small forward during the first half of this season.

Marty Pask, Jordan Robbins, Teaghan Henderson and Kangaroo listed forward Nathan O’Keefe all kicked two goals each.

The Tigers have the opportunity to regroup with a bye before their clash against Collingwood on Sunday August 9.

Werribee Tigers 4.5 5.7 8.13 11.15-81
North Ballarat 1.1 3.3 5.8 7.12-54

Werribee
Goal Kickers: N. Thompson 3, D. Harris 3, A. Obst, R. Prismall, J. Risol, S. Wright, B. Fletcher
Best Players: S. Howard, F. Chisholm, D. Gleeson, B. Fletcher, L. Adams, N. Grima

North Ballarat
Goal Kickers: B. Driscoll 3, J. Smith, D. Parish, A. Edwards, M. Searl
Best Players: C. Garlett, E. Lower, M. Sharkey, P. McMahon, S. Clifton, B. Driscoll

North Ballarat statistics:
Warren Benjamin -  9 possessions, 4 tackles
Aaron Edwards - 7 possessions, 4 marks, 1 goal
Cruize Garlett - 24 possessions, 4 marks, 3 inside 50's
Ed Lower - 28 possessions, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 7 hardball gets, 9 tackles
Daniel Pratt - 18 possessions, 5 marks, 6 inside 50's
Josh Smith - 16 possessions, 6 marks, 1 goal
Shannon Watt - 18 possessions, 4 marks, 4 spoils
Michael Wundke - 15 possessions, 8 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 tackles

Werribee statistics:
Leigh Adams - 22 possessions, 8 marks, 3 clearances, 5 tackles
Daniel Harris - 20 possessions, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 7 tackles, 3 goals
Alan Obst -17 possessions, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal
Nathan Grima - 17 possessions, 6 marks, 2 tackles
Sam Wright - 15 possessions, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal
Ben Speight - 9 possessions, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 blocks
Matt Riggio - 42 possessions, 14 clearances, 4 tackles, 1 goal (reserves)
Nathan O’Keefe - 21 possessions, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals (reserves)
Conor Meredith - 10 possessions, 2 tackles, 3 blocks (reserves)