Tara Murray
Werribee Districts finals hopes are in its own hands in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Tigers sit in fifth spot with two rounds remaining, sitting percentage ahead of Spotswood. With matches against bottom side Sunshine and seventh placed St Albans, the Tigers will back themselves in to get the job done.
Tigers coach Chris Gilham said they just have to keep on winning.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We keep winning and play finals and with a bit of luck we can finish third.
“We need to hold up our end of the bargain and continue doing what we’re doing.”
The Tigers got a percentage boost on Saturday, with a big win against Yarraville Seddon. The Tigers winning, 24.20 (164)-7.6 (48).
Gilham said that the Eagles had been a team on the improve and had some good results against some of the top teams.
“I was really worried about them,” he said. “We jumped out of the box and maintained it for the whole game, we were really happy with that.
“The scoreboard pressure and percentage could be the difference in the end. We defended well and were able to keep them to a low score, while putting on some scoreboard pressure. We were able to share the load around our full forward.”
Daniel Nielson had a day out up forward kicking seven goals, while having a number of other opportunities.
Gilham said that Nielson was starting to find some form after an injury riddled start to the season.
“He’s a formidable opponent for anyone,” he said.
Andrew Panayi kicked four goals despite playing further up the ground, while Ben McMahon was good in the ruck and Zak Busuttil was good as well.
Gilham said the move of Panayi into the midfield was one of things they had tried on the weekend.
“We tried a few things, nothing huge, he said. “We’ve got some injuries to midfield types and we wanted to get some blokes to stand up.
“There’s three or four done for the season. Josh Mould returned on the weekend, but Connor Thar, Daniel Schibeci and Bailey Siwek, we’re not sure we’ll get them back. Two of them have had surgery.”
The Tigers’ face Sunshine this week. Gilham knows they have to be switched on despite where the Kangaroos are on the ladder.
“They are always capable,” he said. “They can win the footy and they have a couple of A-grade players.
“If we are to play finals, we have to win these games at home.”
In other results, Hoppers Crossing’s hopes of a double chance took a hit with a loss to Altona.
The Vikings winning, 14.9 (93)-7.4 (46).
Point Cook was no match for Spotswood, losing 19.19 (133)-9.8 (62).
In division 2, Point Cook Centrals, Newport, North Footscray and Wyndhamvale were the winners, while in division 3, Albanvale, Sunshine Heights and Tarneit were the winners.
