Werribee Tigers produced one of their most lacklustre performances of the VFL season on the way to a 63-point loss to Footscray.
In front of a big crowd on the club’s multicultural day at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday, the Tigers played like a team going through the motions and were exposed by a visiting Bulldogs side with everything to play for.
Tigers coach John Lamont could tell his side was not switched on from the outset, watching in dismay as he counted four dropped chest marks in the first quarter.
“It was one of our more disappointing losses,” Lamont told Star Weekly.
“It looked like a top team against one of the bottom teams.
“Yeah, we’ve got nothing to play for in making the finals, but we should still be able to go out there and play with a little bit of freedom because of that. We were never really in the game.”
Werribee made life easy for Footscray.
The Tigers lacked cohesion with their ball movement going forward, which created turnovers and put undue stress on the defence.
When the Bulldogs had the ball in hand, they were allowed to control the play for far too long for Lamont’s liking.
“What I was talking about with the blokes at quarter-time is taking a little bit more care and composure with the ball,” he said. “Let’s hang on to it for a bit longer, and, when they get it, apply better pressure and tackle better, but we couldn’t do it.
“The second half was better, but we made no real inroads on the scoreboard.
“We just didn’t get it done – we played poorly, the opposition played well and you end up getting done by 10 goals.”
Small forward Robin Nahas was a bright spot for Werribee with three goals, while Josh Porter booted two. Ed Vickers-Willis, Nick Meredith and Matt Hanson could hold their heads high.
Werribee’s last game of the season will take place against Sandringham at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
It will be the Tigers’ last game at the Watton Street ground before a multi-million dollar redevelopment significantly changes the appearance and practicality of the venue.
“The Mason Farrelly Pavilion has done a good job, but it’s 50 years old – it’s served its purpose,” Lamont said. “We want to be a participator at state league level, so the time is right for a redevelopment that will take our footy club to the next level.
“There’s been ideas kicking around for eight to 10 years about the redevelopment and it’s finally happening.
“It’s exciting for the City of Wyndham, not only the Werribee footy club.”
