Tara Murray
Werribee has only scratched the surface of what it can do this Victorian Football League season.
The side sits in third spot after 14 rounds on the back of an eight game winning streak, including wins against some of the other top sides.
Coming off a bye on the weekend, footy manager Mark Micallef said they were primed for a big last part of the season.
“Absolutely happy,” he said,
“It’s been a funny season with three byes and 11 games, and now just one bye in the last eight weeks.
“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for us going forward. We’re focusing on the process and the outcome and continuing to better ourselves.
“We’re on an eight game winning streak against some really good opposition.”
Micallef said the success so far this season dates back to the work done in the off season and pre-season.
He said keeping together most of the group from last season had provided continuity and synergy to hold them in good stead.
Another key was COVID-19 not hanging over their heads..
“We can not measure how that has benefited our playing group,” he said.
“Not having the stop-start season at the back of the mind.”
While most of the group has remained, Micallef said there were still things that surprised him about the group.
He said the biggest thing for him was how determined the group was for success.
“We are just focusing on the jobs week in week out, it’s Sandringham this week,” he said.
“They drew with the Brisbane Lions who are second on the ladder, there are no easy games in this competition.
“One week at a time rings true for us, the players don’t know who we are playing past the Sandringham game, they’re just worried about the process.”
It’s the leaders who are showing the way for Werribee, led by two-time JJ Liston Medal winner.
Gribble is averaging more than 33 disposals with Micallef saying was hitting his peak.
Nick Hayes, Dom Brew and skipper Nick Coughlan are among the other leaders who are hungry for success and showing the way for the rest of the squad.
Micallef said there were a number of other players to impress him.
“Sam Clohesy was in and out of the team last year, but he has cemented his spot in the team,” he said.
“Ariek Laul is another who has been in and out of the team.
“Jack Boyd has come from the Northern Bullants and is seeing what it takes to be at a really strong club.
“Bailey Henderson is another one who has come across. Nathan Cooper plays on the last line of defence each week.”
Micallef said while they’re happy with the platform they’ve given them they know that there is still plenty of work to do.
One of Werribee’s biggest things this year has been an inability to put together four quarters of good football.
“We feel like we are only scratching the surface and we still have another gear to go to,” he said.
“We’re previewing and reviewing a lot harder and stronger than before, there’s a continuous want for improvement.”
Part of that continuous improvement is making sure they have a fit and healthy list to pick from in the back end.
With a number of players set to return in the coming weeks, Micallef said the selection committee will have some welcome headaches.
“We had 26 players play local footy on the weekend, which is an all time high,” he said.
“Matt Hanson, a four time club best and fairest winner, will be back in the short term.
Bior Malual didn’t play last week and Sam Conway has missed more of the year.
“Conor Thar, Sam Azzi are another couple. Darcy Cassar played his first game for the season last round, Harry Grintell is another, Sam Paea played his first game back from suspension.
“Lucas Rocci should be back as well.
“Our group is a lot deeper than ever and credit has to go to our development group. We’ve put in a lot of resources.
Werribee this week faces Sandringham Zebras at 1.05pm at Avalon Airport Oval.
