Match result

Northern Blues 16.9.105 defeated Werribee 10.16.76

In action

Lindsay Thomas (17 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal)
Lachlan Hansen (11 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal)
Ben McKay (16 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal)
Jed Anderson (26 disposals)
Will Fordham (29 disposals)
Matt Taylor (16 disposals, 5 marks)

Story of the Game

With a finals berth hanging in the balance, Werribee took on the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval on Saturday afternoon.  A win for the Tigers would put them into the top eight heading into the final round, with a loss leaving the September campaigners to be decided in the last week of the season.

The Blues had a perfect start to, kicking two goals in quick succession, before goals to Matt Hanson and Lindsay Thomas brought Werribee back into it.

Werribee had control of much of the play in the first term, but inaccuracy in front of goals was costly. The Tigers booted eight behinds as the teams went in level at quarter-time. 

Both teams had their chances in the second quarter, with neither able to pull away before the main break.  Ben McKay kicked one of Werribee’s two goals in the second, making the most of a free kick and 50 metre penalty.  The Blues took a three-point lead into half-time. 

The second half began much the same as the first, with Werribee peppering the goals with no reward.  Six behinds and one goal for the quarter gifted the Northern Blues a 15-point lead heading into the final term.

The last quarter was a frantic one from both sides.  Five goals to the Tigers, including one to Hansen, gave them a chance to snatch victory, but that was extinguished by seven majors to the Blues.

In the end, Werribee fell short once again, leaving it on equal points with the Northern Blues and Collingwood, all vying for a spot in the finals.

"It was a pretty tough day. The ground was pretty treacherous with the conditions; it had the cricket wicket in the middle which was pretty muddy," Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown explained.

"It made things pretty difficult for the boys, particular our forwards. Lachie Hansen had a number of shots at goal, but couldn't quite convert, and the same with Lindsay Thomas." 

Best of the VFL

Matt Hanson was once again best on ground for Werribee, racking up 30 disposals, 8 tackles and 5 inside 50s.

Talking Points

Fordham steps up
Rookie Will Fordham enjoyed another strong game through the midfield, continuing a solid run of form.

He racked up 29 disposals for the day. 

"Will had a really good game. He had really good numbers, but it was more about the way he performed," Brown said. 

"He really drove his legs, used his speed and his run and kicked the ball well.

"The other thing he did well was compete. In tight he was able to extract the ball, drive his legs and get out of tackles.

"It was really pleasing. It was possibly one of his best games, if not the best game of the year for him I would have thought." 

Anderson mounts a case
Jed Anderson put his hand up for a senior recall with 26 disposals through the midfield and in attack.

"He used the ball pretty well, he drove his legs and delivered the ball inside 50 on numerous occasions with pretty good effect," Brown said. 

McKay good again
Ben McKay again performed strongly in defence. 

"Every week he's gotten better and better, just getting used to the role," Brown said.

"He played on Kristian Jaksch for most of the game and dominated him in the first half. The second half he (Jaksch) found a little bit more of the ball, but by and large Ben had the better of him.

"Some of his body work was quite good. His skill execution was good under pressure by hand and foot." 

Thomas does it again
Lindsay Thomas has kicked some brilliant goals in recent weeks, and add another moment for the highlight reel from a deep in the forward pocket.

Thomas finished the game with 17 disposals and 5 tackles.