By LIAM TWOMEY
WERRIBEE kept its VFL season alive with a 19-point win against Essendon on Sunday. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Tigers who kicked just one goal in the first term and conceded six to the Bombers.
The 28-point, quarter-time margin was quickly reeled in though and Werribee found some of its best form as the match went on.
The Tigers booted 8.4 and kept Essendon scoreless in the second term to completely turn the match on its head.
From there both sides enjoyed stages of play where they were on top but Werribee seemed to always have the upper hand, running out winners, 17.14 (116) to 15.7 (97).
Tigers’ coach Scott West was rapt to come away with the win and praised his side’s second quarter fightback.
“It was really good footy (second quarter), we moved the ball well and we took our chances,” he said.
“I think we had equal opportunities in the first quarter to score but just didn’t take our chances. Sometimes that can come up and bite you a bit.
“We had to take the game on because obviously they were four or five (goals) up at quarter time – there was a pretty strong breeze going that way but the breeze just can’t do it for you. You have to be able to get your way through with composure and I thought we did.
“I thought the third quarter was just as good, to be able to hold them up when they had the breeze. We don’t often applaud defence, but I thought we defensively played that quarter pretty well.”
Luke McDonald was outstanding across the ground for the Tigers to be named the club’s best player. He was well supported by ruckman Daniel Currie and one of the favourites for the Liston Medal, Jarred Moore.
Up forward, Ben McKinley worked hard and finished the match with four goals while Addam Maric and Ben Speight also kicked three majors each.
For Essendon, Cory Dell’Olio was a standout, kicking five goals.
With the Bombers’ season over, Werribee will take on Casey in the VFL semi-final on Sunday at North Port Oval.
The two sides last played in round 13 when it was the Tigers who ran out easy winners by 56 points.
In other finals results, Geelong smashed Casey and Port Melbourne got the better of Collingwood.
