Tara Murray
Werribee produced one of its worst performances in recent times in the Victorian Football League on Anzac Day against Williamstown.
The two western suburbs standalone sides were keen to get back on the winners list, following their first losses of the season the previous round.
It was the Seagulls that got going in the first half and were able to take the game out of reach of the Tigers.
While the Tigers narrowly won the second half, it was nowhere near enough to close the gap, with the Seagulls winning, 15.11 (101)-7.7 (49).
Werribee coach Jimmy Allan said it was a tough day at the office.
“There were signs early that we didn’t really come to play,” he said. “We were OK in the second half, but the game was done at half time.
“We talked a lot about how we wanted to move the ball and how they wanted to move the ball through the week and we didn’t really put into practice the plans that we wanted to execute during the game.
“All round it was a pretty ordinary performance.”
Allan said the game was a good reflection of something for both the players and coaching group.
He said there were some small wins in the second half.
“We had to chuck an extra number around the footy and even things up around there,” he said.
“THat let us one short in the forward line, even though we didn’t look like scoring quickly at all, we stemmed the bleeding a little bit around the contest.
“We set ourselves a challenge of winning the second half which we did by a point.”
Jack Riding and Angus Hicks kicked two goals each for the Tigers.
Dom Brew led the way with 25 possessions, while Kye Declase had 23.
Allan said there were a couple of solid performers in the loss.
“I thought Angus Hicks played his role pretty well as a high half forward, he ended up moving onto the ball in the second half to give us a bit around there.
“I thought Jack Riding was OK, Kye Declase was pretty quiet in the first half and then moved on ball in the second half and had an impact and I thought Dom Brew’s second half was reasonably good too.”
Having lost their last two games, Allan said it was a bit of a reality check for the group.
“We thought our performance the week before was fairly good even though we lost,” he said. “We reviewed it and thought we were in reasonable form, but definitely a reality check.
“I guess when you reflect a bit, it’s easy to think we are following on from last year but we only had 11 from last year’s grand final side playing. We are a new look side.
“We had some of our really good leaders out as well, it’s no excuse. We have to look for other guys to step up and fill that void.”
The injury list grew for the Tigers with Sam Paea hurt his shoulder in the first five minutes of the game leaving them a key forward down all day, while Daly Andrews did something to knee.
“It will test our depth a little bit,” he said. “It gives a great opportunity for our local guys who are playing this weekend to put their hands up to take their spots.
“I mentioned that after the game in the rooms… The guys on the outside should be licking their lips at the prospect of playing well at their clubs and being in the frame for selection.”
The Tigers have slipped to ninth with that loss.
Werribee will face Carlton on Saturday at 2.05pm at Avalon Airport Oval.
The Blues have won just one game this season.
