Tara Murray
Werribee is being held captive by disappointing patches of play in the Victorian Football League.
The side was left disappointed after a thrilling loss to the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday.
A poor second quarter proved costly for Werribee and left it chasing for the rest of the game.
While Werribee hit the front in the final quarter and had a number of chances to win the game, it was the Suns that came away with the win, 14.7 (91)-12.17 (91).
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said there were mixed feelings after the game.
“I think it was an interesting game in terms of a patch in the second quarter, where we let the game slip and it catch up from there,” he said.
“It was difficult but to our credit we dug in and started to play better. Huge amount of credit to the boys for their resolve.
“At half time we spoke about our performance and we thought we could get a good run of goals which we did.
“We were able to hit the front and had opportunities to put it away.”
Werribee took the lead twice in the final term and had the chance to win it at the end, but co-captain Dom Brew’s late snap was marked on the goal-line.
Barlow said the missed opportunities late were under pressure and while they couldn’t convert them, the Suns made the most of theirs.
He said poor kicking on goal was something they were on ‘red alert’ over.
“We gave the game away in the first quarter,” he said. “We kicked 3.8 in the first quarter and last week we kicked 3.5.
“You turn that to 8.3 and 5.3. We own the game and play in front and probably win. We are motivated to get on top of that.”
Barlow praised the performance of Charlie Ham and Louis Pinnuck, who played undersized down back.
He said Tom Gribble had plenty of the ball, while Shaun Mannagh was good and Ollie Hanrahan played his best game for the club.
Jay Dahlhaus kicked 3.3 to lead the goal kickers.
The loss leaves Werribee sitting in 14th spot with two wins.
Barlow said they could have quite easily had a couple more wins on the board.
“Across a period in each game we have lapsed,” he said.
“We feel that across the five games we have only been outplayed by Southport.
“The other four games there have been some Monday blues. We let slip two games when we were the better side.
“Our disappointing patches are holding us captive at the moment.”
Barlow said they would continue to address that. He said while they don’t hide behind it, many of their opposition sides have played a lot more football the last two years during the pandemic.
“We have to upskill and get better and put in a really strong four quarter performance.”
Werribee this week faces Sydney at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
Barlow is hoping for a four quarter performance to get their third win of the season.
“It’s another chance against an alignment club,” he said.
“We’ve beaten two standalone clubs. Hopefully we can get off the mark against an AFL aligned club.”
