Match result: Werribee 9.12.66 defeated Box Hill 7.11.53
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval
Conditions: The standard Melbourne; four seasons in one day
In action
- Majak Daw (12 disposals, 9 tackles)
- Will Fordham (21 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 marks)
- Lachlan Hansen (15 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles)
- Kieran Harper (9 disposals, 2 goals, 6 tackles)
- Scott McMahon (20 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal)
- Eric Wallace (7 disposals, 6 tackles, 54 hit-outs)
- Mason Wood (18 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 marks, 1 goal)
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Scott McMahon
Story of the game
On what was a cold, wet and at times sunny afternoon at Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee took on the top-of-the-table Box Hill team.
The home side got a jump on the Hawks, working its way out to a handy 19-point lead at the long break. However it was the visitors who started the second half the better, narrowing the margin to less than a goal nearing time-on of the third quarter.
An important goal to Mason Wood stretched Werribee’s lead, and the Hawks weren’t able to bring their deficit back to single figures the rest of the way.
The Tigers ran out 13-point winners, solidifying their spot in the eight before an important trip to Casey next Sunday.
Points of interest
1. Scott McMahon was Werribee’s best in the victory, marshalling the defence en route to restricting the Hawks to only seven goals.
“Not only was he Werribee’s best, it was by a mile probably,” Gavin Brown told NMFC.com.au.
“He used the ball really well and set us up from the back half and he pressed really aggressively to defend and tackle.
“He even kicked a brilliant goal that basically ended up being a sealer. It was an exceptional game from him.”
2. After missing a fortnight with a hip injury, Lachlan Hansen returned through the VFL. Playing three quarters, taken off as a precaution after receiving an inadvertent kick to the calf, the key-position defender showed signs of quickly returning to top form.
“He probably could have kept going, but we thought it wasn’t worth it,” Brown explained.
“Before that, he took several good marks, even though it wasn’t a day for them.
“He defended reasonably well and he should be OK.”
3. Kieran Harper was named in North Melbourne’s 25-man squad for the first time in 2015, and looked to build on his recent form with a strong game at ground level.
“It’s terrific for his progress and his mindset to be named as an emergency, absolutely,” Brown said.
“He had to fly back home on the Saturday night before the game, so it certainly wouldn’t have helped his preparation for this game.
“But having said that, he did some really nice things during the game and kicked a couple of nice goals.”
4. Rookie Will Fordham continued his progress in filling out his game, complementing his outside run and carry.
“Will’s been working really hard on the contest and it was really pleasing today,” Brown added.
“He showed a bit from that point of view and also got a bit of the footy so it was a well-rounded game.”
Most likely call-up: Scott McMahon
Next week: Sunday August 2 v Casey, Casey Fields at 2:00pm
