Match result: Werribee 14.12.96 defeated Williamstown 14.10.94
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval
Conditions: Sunny – perfect for football
In action:
- Scott McMahon (17 disposals)
- Kayne Turner (12 disposals, 1 goal)
- Will Fordham (25 disposals)
- Daniel Currie (13 disposals, 32 hit-outs, 1 goal)
- Majak Daw (12 disposals, 6 marks, 20 hit-outs, 3 goals)
- Eric Wallace (stats unavailable) – Development League
NMFC.com.au's best: Scott McMahon, Will Fordham
Match-ups
- McMahon v Samuel Dunell
Story of the game
After Williamstown broke out to an early lead, Werribee fought back to regain ascendency during the second and third quarters.
While the margin never blew out, the Tigers held sway for most of the day, until a late surge from the opposition made for some nervous moments.
"We had a buffer of two or three goals all the way, then all of a sudden in the last few minutes it got down to goal for goal," Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown said.
"For about three minutes it was just a battle. The boys kept playing percentage footy and it was just a gutsy win."
Despite conceding six last quarter goals, Werribee was able to hold for its first win against Williamstown in the teams' last 12 outings.
"It was a long quarter that went for 33 minutes because of all the goals that been kicked," Brown said.
"It was a really fantastic win."
Points of interest:
1. North rookie Will Fordham was an impressive performer against strong opposition.
"He played on a wing all day and ended up with 25 possessions, which was the second-highest on the ground," Brown said.
"His run and carry and double-up possessions were exceptional. He was terrific, Will.
"He used the ball for the majority of the day really well.
"He would be really pleased with that. His ability to run and carry and spread was fantastic today."
2. Scott McMahon’s game was described as ‘his best of the year’ by Brown.
"He started on and played for a fair bit on Dunell and he snuffed him out. He did a terrific job defensively.
"He had 17 possessions himself and he had a really solid game.
"He used the ball really effectively, linked up well and defended exceptionally well. He was really good. He was our best player along with Will Fordham."
3. After missing last week as the Roos’ travelling emergency, Kayne Turner made a positive return.
"He did a lot of defensive stuff today that would have gone unnoticed. His defensive pressure was outstanding,” Brown said.
"It wasn’t a standout game, but we know the way Kayne plays; he plays his role really well and works really hard defensively and he did that again today.”
4. Majak Daw booted a vital goal when the game was in the balance, and finished with three for the day, playing mostly in the forward half.
"Maj started a little bit slowly but then got going in the second quarter particularly," Brown said.
"He had a real impact when he had the footy and when he launched at the ball some really nice marks. He was quite solid."
5. Daniel Currie was again singled out by Brown for his effort in the contested situation.
"He was good again. He started like a house on fire.
"He took seven marks and a couple of really good pack ones … he’s doing that really well.
"He went forward and kicked a really nice goal in the last quarter when we really needed him.”
6. American rookie Eric Wallace continues to improve his output in the development league.
"He played ruck and went forward, took a really nice mark and kicked a nice set shot goal," Brown said.
"He dominated the ruck and his follow-up was really good with some really nice tackles.
"He’s getting better every week."
Most likely call-up: Kayne Turner
Next week: Sunday May 24 v Frankston, 2pm at Avalon Airport Oval
RELATED: Roosters' Report Card
