Tara Murray
Werribee continues to find ways to get wins on the board, this time overcoming Frankston in the Victorian Football League on Saturday.
The scoreboard shows a convincing win to the Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval, but the Dolphins made sure they had to work for it.
The Tigers led early and were able to extend the margin the first three quarters to lead by 34 points at three quarter time.
The Dolphins threw everything at the Tigers in the final quarter, but the home side was able to do enough to come away with a 13.9 (87)-8.11 (59) win.
Tigers coach Jimmy Allan said it was a really pleasing win.
“It was a hard fought win,” he said. “The scoreboard suggests it was responsibly convincing, but it was a good contest from start to finish.
“They are a team that works hard and works hard for each other.”
Allan said it was a hard slog all day and it was what they were prepared for going into the game.
He said they tried to play a keeping off sort of brand of footy but took it a bit too far in the first half.
“We overused it a bit,” he said. “We corrected that in the third quarter and played our best quarter of football for the game.
“They threw caution to the wind in the final quarter and challenged us. They took some risks but were able to score a couple later.”
Allan said while they showed good periods of play they have to make sure that they’re doing it for longer.
He said scoreboard pressure was the difference between the two sides in the end.
Dom Brew led from the front with 36 possessions. It was a special day for him as he played his 100th VFL match.
Allan said the midfielder means so much to the club.
“He bleeds the club,” he said. “He does the things that we value and is so important for us.
“We never want to let him down and it was a good day for him and his family.”
Great mate and former teammate Tom Gribble had the honour of presenting Brew with his 100th game jumper.
Allan said it was a surprise for Brew.
“They are great mates and I know it meant a lot to him,” he said. “He was quite emotional about the mates that he’s made along the journey and how important footy is and where he has come from.
“He will cherish it forever.”
Hudson Garoni kicked four goals for the Tigers, while Jay Dahlhaus kicked three goals.
Allan said both were also among the best again.
“Louis Pinnuck at half back was good,” he said. “Jesse Clark was sick through the week but is in some good form down back.
“Jake Smith in the midfield has come into the side the last five to six weeks and done a job.
“Zac Banch is a small forward who keeps the pressure on.”
Werribee remains in third spot with eight wins from its 10 games.
It has a bye this week, which Allan isn’t sure comes at a good time.
“Our form has improved the last couple of weeks,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s good or not as you want to keep the momentum going, but I’m not out there getting hit each week.
“We’ll give the guys a break and do something different this week.”
The Tigers then face Williamstown. The two teams met on Anzac Day, with the Seagulls having a big win on that occasion.
Allan said this match would be a big one for them.