Werribee will go into this week’s crunch game against Essendon with an eye on taking back its place in the Victorian Football League’s top four.
The Tigers enjoyed a hot start to the season before a loss to Williamstown on Sunday dropped them to sixth on the ladder.
Werribee (5-3) will look to bounce back in what is traditionally one of its biggest home games.
PICTURE GALLERY: Werribee v Williamstown
The Tigers host the Bombers at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday, with the senior match beginning at 1pm. Essendon (3-5) is in 12th spot, needing a win to stay in touch with the top eight.
For the Tigers, last week’s clash against Williamstown didn’t go to plan with the Seagulls claiming a nine-point win.
Both teams went into the game in outstanding form, but it was Werribee that made the most of its early chances.
First-quarter goals to Ben Brown, Ben Warren, Kieran Harper and Jye Bolton allowed the Tigers to open up an eight-point lead by quarter-time.
The Seagulls weren’t without their chances in front of the big sticks and were left to rue a wasteful two goals from eight scoring shots. That inaccuracy continued during the second term, with Werribee able to stay in front despite having just three scoring shots to Williamstown’s six.
The shackles were far from lifted after half-time, with majors still at a premium.
But in front of their home fans, it was the Williamstown players who were able to find another gear.
Having trailed by a point at three-quarter- time, the Seagulls hit the lead early in the final term following a good passage of play from Jack Dorgan, which allowed Nicholas Sing to mark and goal.
It gave the Seagulls the lead, and the margin was soon extended after Ed Carr was able to rove a ball in the pocket and snap truly.
Werribee wasn’t about to give up without a fight and it cut the eight-point margin to just two points with a goal to Jason Robinson.
It was Williamstown that came out on top after former Tiger Scott Clouston kicked a goal against his old team to seal the 9.20 (74) to 9.11 (65) win. For Werribee, on a day when goals were hard to come by, Warren worked hard and finished with three majors.
