Tara Murray
Werribee overcame a slow start on the scoreboard to get its first win against an AFL-aligned side of the Victorian Football League season on Sunday.
Werribee ventured out to the NEC Hangar to face Essendon, with the teams greeted by windy conditions.
The Bombers had the benefit of the breeze in the first quarter and kicked 3.2 to nothing in the first quarter.
Werribee kicked five goals in the second quarter to take the lead, before an arm wrestle in the second half.
Four goals to one in the final term, gave Werribee a 10.11 (71)-8.5 (53) win.
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said it took the side a little bit of time to adjust to the conditions.
“It wasn’t nice in the elements,” he said. “I was coaching from the bench for the first time in a while, so I have a fair appreciation of how it feels.
“It was really windy, you have three or four of these a year in the VFL. It took 15-20 minutes to understand it in the first quarter.
“You do give them the information, but they still have to adapt a bit.”
Barlow said despite being goal less in the first quarter, all the other stats showed they were playing some good football.
He said one area they did look to address was trying to slow down Bombers star Quinton Narkle.
“We put some work into another midfielder at the start of the game,” he said.
“Narkle had eight possessions and two goals in the first quarter, one of those was off a poor turnover.
“Dom Brew is having a really good season in a negating role and winning the ball himself.
“He was able to nullify him for large periods of time.”
Werribee started to get on top around the clearances in the second quarter and got flow going into its game in the second quarter.
Werribee kicked one goal against the breeze in the third quarter to keep the pressure on.
Barlow said while the breeze was tricky there were opportunities to score.
“We had some good patches into the breeze,” he said.
“The last entry, the kick within 30 metres which was the distance to score from, it was a challenge.”
Werribee finished the game off well with four goals to one in the final quarter.
Sam Paea kicked four goals for Werribee, with Barlow saying he was the difference in the game.
“It wasn’t a day for key forwards,” he said. “The difference in the game was one key forward had the ability to get away.
“He kicked two in the last quarter and an important one right on half time.
“He’s starting to figure out what is required to be competitive at this level. The pre and post game stuff, he is leading the way in that aspect.”
Kye Declase had 32 possessions, while Shaun Mannagh finished the game with 31, having played a different role.
With Matt Hanson still out injured, Werribee was thrown another curve ball with two-time Liston Medal winner Tom Gribble ruled out before the game with illness.
“Tom, Matt and Dom has been our midfield for such a long time,” Barlow said.
“We had to make some adjustments. Shaun spent a bit more time in the midfield on the weekend and Jack Henderson is continent to spend more time in here.
“We were able to win the contest without Tom, which I’m really happy about.”
Barlow said the playing group was starting to understand how to better the situation of the game and what is required without waiting for a break or being given a message.
He said one area they still need to work on is getting the connection between the midfield and forwards right.
“We are still seeking that connection inside 50,” he said. “We’re getting in there a lot, it’s just that last piece, the hard piece to get right.
“They had some really good intercept markers yesterday [Sunday] and great ruck that got in the way.
“We need to tidy up the ball movement into the 50.”
Barlow said having to move Mannagh up the ground did hurt that connection on the weekend.
Brew, Henderson, Mannagh were named Werribee best, alongside skipper who was strong in the back half.
Werribee now sits eighth on the ladder with a 3-2 record.
Barlow said they had entered the game against the Bombers keen to get a win against an AFL-aligned side, which they have been able to tick off.
Werribee this week faces the Footscray Bulldogs, who are in 16th spot.
Barlow said they had some strong talls and quality AFL-listed mids so they have to be on their game around the ball.
This week’s match is at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday at 2.15pm.
