Werribee Tigers had to deliver a performance from the top shelf to overcome the never-give-in Northern Blues by 14 points in a Victorian Football League belter at Ikon Park on Saturday.
In a game that displayed all that was good about the VFL – elite skills of AFL-listed players and the promise of the next tier of players coming through – the Tigers eventually wore the Blues down to record their sixth straight win.
But Werribee made a worryingly slow start and trailed by 22 points at quarter-time.
The Tigers’ endeavour at the contest was evident, but they were totally disorganised in the backline.
Afforded far too much latitude, the Blues’ forwards made the Tigers pay on the scoreboard.
Quarter-time could not come quick enough for Werribee, though a late goal from Majak Daw, the Tigers’ most imposing forward in the early stages, lifted spirits going into the huddle.
Werribee has shown an ability in recent matches to be able to put a rough quarter of football behind it and focus on the task ahead.
The Tigers did so again in the second quarter, enjoying a near 360-degree turnaround.
While they conceded the quarter’s first goal to Blues midfielder Sam Kerridge, the Tigers came out with even more intent and had plugged holes that needed to be filled.
The result was a five-goal-to-two quarter for Werribee that included some breathtaking passages of team play.
One goal came direct from the centre bounce, with ruckman Braydon Preuss palming the ball down to Andrew Swallow. The latter got his skates on to deliver to Nick Larkey, who went back and goaled.
It was just one of a run of four consecutive goals that saw the Tigers go into half-time with a one-point lead.
The pick of those goals was a set shot tight up on the boundary from Joe Maishman.
The two sides went goal for goal early in the third before the Blues opened up an eight-point break when Kym Lebois kicked truly.
That seemed to be a goal against the run of play, because the Werribee midfield of Swallow, Tom Gribble and Matt Hanson was well on top, and the ruck impact of Preuss was increasing.
Werribee eventually made its dominance count through consecutive goals from Lindsay Thomas, Daw and Daniel Nielson, the latter celebrating a rare goal from defence with gusto.
When Will Fordham sidestepped Blues defender Simon White and pierced the big sticks, Werribee was in full control with a 20-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Blues threw everything they had at Werribee in the last term, but could not apply any serious scoreboard pressure.
The Tigers eventually found a game-sealing goal through Max Augerinos.
It was a fitting moment for Augerinos, who was one of the Tigers’ hardest working players.
Werribee had contributions all over the park in a solid team effort, with Larkey full of confidence on the lead and in contested marking situations to finish with four goals for the match.
Not even an accidental head clash with White that saw him go off under the blood rule could stop Larkey.
Larkey is the Tigers’ leading goalkicker with 15 – and is the only player with double figures.
Dom Brew had a debut to remember for Werribee.
The tough-as-nails North Albury product never took a backward step at the coal-face.
Brew’s intent could be found in his second efforts, particularly the one in which he chased down Blues midfielder Nick Graham after giving him a head start.
Nielson, Nick Meredith and Ryley Barrack were stout defensively, while Dane McFarlane offered good rebound off half-back.
Daw, a constant aerial threat, and Maishman finished with three goals each, while Thomas and Josh Williams chimed in with two apiece.
Thomas would later accept a one-match suspension for striking after forcefully raising his arm to Blues midfielder Rhys Palmer in a tackling contest.
Werribee will face defending premier Footscray in a blockbuster at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday from 2pm.
Meanwhile, Werribee suffered a 46-point loss to Northern Blues in the AFL Victoria Development League.
Louis Pinnuck was best for the Tigers, while Tom Ellard kicked three of his team’s six goals.\
