Werribee’s Ben Ross runs free of a tackle. 83486_11 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By MICHAEL ESPSOSITO
WERRIBEE proved that a week really is a long time in footy by responding to last week’s capitulation with a crushing victory against second-placed Casey on Sunday.
The Tigers looked like they had a point to prove after their apathetic performance against Bendigo the week prior, and played with the type of ruthlessness and flair they are known to possess to trounce the Scorpions by 78 points.
Nathan Ablett starred with four goals and numerous assists, while another former AFL footballer, Ben Ross, provided the run that got Werribee off to such a good start.
In a complete reversal of the previous week, Werribee tore its oppostion to shreds in the second quarter to effectively shut the door on the Scorpions by half-time.
After kicking two late first quarter goals, Werribee booted six goals straight in the second term – five of those coming in the first 11 minutes.
Ablett stood out like a beacon in this purple patch, handballing to Scott Sherlock who goaled, then again showing slick hands to dish it out to Jye Bolton for an easy conversion.
Majak Daw was prominent on either side of Bolton’s goal, first getting on the end of a blistering run by Ben Moloney from a centre bounce, then slotting one through from 55m.
Werribee Scott West praised his players for taking the game up to the Scorpions – something they didn’t do against Bendigo.
“As soon as you go back into your shell you play safe footy, and you do at times have to play safe footy, but when you can get the flow and the run and take the game on it sometimes falls for you, and it did today,” he said.
“It’s easy to kick down the line, but to take the game on and maybe kick on an angle or kick on the fat side takes a bit of skill obviously, but you’ve got to back your team-mates to be able to get it there.
West acknowledged that Casey went in with an under-strength side, but his side was missing key captain Robbie Castello and midfielder Travis Tuck, who was sick.
West said Castello had general soreness and was almost included in the team, but chose to be cautious.
“He was touch and go but we decided not to go with him because if he pulls out in the first five or six minutes then some kid has lost their opportunity to play, so better to be safe than sorry.”
Werribee continued to control the play in the third quarter, even if the side was wasteful with its forward entries. With the Tigers 59 points at three quarter time, they continued to boost their percentage by kicking the first four goals and claiming one of its best victories of the season.
Werribee is one game behind Casey in third spot, and will take on Queensland team Morningside at the Gabba in the Foxtel Cup semi-final this Saturday.
Werribee 20.13 (133) d Casey 8.7 (55)
Goals: Werribee: N. Ablett 4, B. McKinley 3. Casey: J. Fitzpatrick 2, L. Williams 2.
Best: Werribee: N. Ablett, B. Ross. Casey: M. Riseley, T. Couch.
