The assessment from Werribee Tigers coach John Lamont was blunt – and so it ought to have been.
Earlier in the season, the Tigers were being mentioned in the same breath as the VFL’s premiership contenders, but those glowing appraisals are nothing but a distant memory after five consecutive losses have seen them tumble out of the top eight.
Out of the Tigers’ control is a growing injury list that has undoubtedly impacted on results.
Even Saturday’s tough 14-point loss to Coburg at Avalon Airport Oval was littered with injuries, including a game-ending blow for forward Aaron Black after a heavy collision just minutes into the match that saw him carted off to hospital.
But Lamont was not making excuses for his under-performing team on this day or for the previous four matches.
“The whole last month we’re just not playing well enough – it’s really simple,” Lamont told Star Weekly. “Skill execution, decision-making and work rate [are down].
“We’re not defending well enough at key times. Too often too much is left to too few.
“It’s been a disappointing month of footy, without doubt.”
The players cannot blame injuries when their best quarter of football came with four players down. Werribee’s performance up to three-quarter time was not up to scratch, but at least the players battled it out to win the last quarter.
“The last quarter, when we were backs to the wall and had nothing to lose with only one bloke on the bench, that was our best quarter,” Lamont said. “But Coburg wanted it more, worked harder and we were out-played pretty much all day.”
There has been little to smile about for Werribee in recent times, but the consistency of Nick Meredith, formerly of Lavington, and Ethan Petterwood, a young Tasmanian, provide some reasons.
Meredith’s willingness to throw his body on the line at all times in defence has set an example for others to follow.
“He’s a competitor – he doesn’t pick and choose, he goes hard all the time,” Lamont said.
“It’s his first year in, so he’s still learning about the modern defensive game, which is the main thing blokes struggle with when they come in from local footy.
“He’s been a real positive.”
Petterwood has shown great endeavour despite being a lightweight at 66 kilograms, according to the VFL Record.
His versatility has been an asset for the Tigers.
“He’s only a little bit of fella but he’s been playing a bit down back, in the midfield and the forward line and been good,” Lamont said.
Ryan Clarke was superb against Coburg, gathering more than 30 possessions, while Matt Hanson and Ed Vickers-Willis kept up their sold form.
With a week’s rest, the Tigers get a chance to freshen up for a run at the finals.
A tough trip to Port Melbourne awaits after the bye.
Meanwhile, Werribee’s development league side went down by 13 points to Coburg after seemingly having the game under lock and key at three-quarter time.
The Tigers led by 18 points at the last change, but the visiting Lions rattled off six goals to one to steal the victory.
