Tigers ease past Bulldogs

Callan Gilboy (Jacob Pattison)357618_23

Werribee Districts are grand final bound in the Western Region Football League division 1 season for a second straight season.

On Saturday, the Tigers came up against second placed Point Cook which was set to be a mouth watering contest.

The Tigers were on top all game, taking a 26 point lead into the main break.

However, it was after half time when they really started to flex their muscles, booting seven third quarter goals to put the game to bed.

In the last quarter, the Bulldogs kicked a few goals but it was all too little too late. The Tigers once again showed their strength in the division, easily winning, 16.11 (107)-8.8 (56).

Joshua Mould was amongst the Tigers best with three majors, while Bailey Siwek was awarded with best on ground honours.

The Tigers have been the team to beat all season, losing just the one game to Point Cook Centrals in round 15. However, coach Chris Gilham said he and his side are not getting ahead of themselves.

“We’ve had a terrific home and away season but it counts for nothing once you get to finals,” he said. “You’ve got to do it under that pressure and match situation.

“But to play so well yesterday [Saturday], especially to start the way we did was really positive.”

The Tigers had a five win gap on the Bulldogs and had top spot locked up for quite some time.

“We’ve sort of been biding time to the finals came,” Gilham said.

“So to jump out of the blocks and apply some really good pressure to the opposition, get some opportunities on the back of good defence and contest wins and then get some reward on the scoreboard was crucial.

“Then to go again in the second half was really pleasing, just a really good overall performance.”

For Point Cook, Shaun Wyatt and Billy Kolniuk were named their best.

The Tigers will now enjoy a week off while the Bulldogs and Altona fight for the spot to join them in the big dance. Altona beat Yarraville Seddon Eagles in the other semi final, 9.14 (68)-6.18 (54).

“It’s been a long season, we’ve got blokes carrying some soreness and being pretty knocked up over the 18 weeks… the bye will come at a good time for sure,” Gilham said.

“We’ve played all of them (Altona and Point Cook) a few times now, so we’ve all had a good look at each other.

“I wouldn’t be writing anyone off… they’re all very capable.

“You could make a case for all of them, whoever we play we know it’s going to be red hot competition, and we’ve got to be at our best to beat them, whoever we play.”

Harper Sercombe