By Lance Jenkinson
Matt Munro has reached an interesting point in his career evolution.
While the 23-year-old is still learning, he is also being called upon to be one of Werribee’s leaders after five years with the Victorian Football league club.
Munro has taken charge of the Werribee forward line, leading by his actions at training and guidance on the field.
He is particularly relishing the chance to work with some of the exciting young forwards in the team’s attack.
“It’s a really good opportunity for me,” Munro said of his on-field leadership role. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”
With 981 points, Werribee has the third-best attack in the VFL after 11 games.
Only Essendon (1079), which beat Werribee by two goals in a ripping contest at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday, and Port Melbourne (1034) have generated more scores than Werribee.
The make-up of Werribee’s forward line is largely driven by youth, which excites Munro.
Jake Riccardi is the key focal point of the attack, with AFL clubs keeping close tabs on his progress.
Riccardi was a dominant force against Essendon, but let himself down with two costly late misses that could perhaps be put down to inexperience.
Kye Declase kicked three goals against the Bombers and Alex Marklew showed promise.
Then there’s the mosquito fleet of Munro, Jack Henderson, Max Augerinos, Ryan Kemp and Baxter Norton.
Even Dane McFarlane looked dangerous in attack when moved from his customary half-back flank role to spice up the forward line against Essendon.
Werribee’s forward line is talented and, above all, dynamic. Trying to keep it in check is a nightmare for opposition defenders.
“The forward line we have this year is very unpredictable,” Munro said. “We’re a hard team to defend against. We’ve all got different attributes, but we all gel really well together.”
Munro believes the key attribute for Werribee’s forward line is an unselfish attitude.
As much thought goes into a player’s movement without the ball as it does with the ball in hand.
“There’s a lot of that unrewarded running and behind the scenes work to help out your other teammates,” Munro said. “We’ve been doing pretty well so far.”
Munro is learning more about his own game when he pushes into the midfield.
No longer can a small forward be parked inside forward 50 and used solely for the purpose of forward pressure or crumbing goals.
The work rate Munro and the other small forwards need in a game has gone off the charts since his introduction to the VFL in 2015.
“It’s a pretty tough role these days, having to get up the ground and get back,” he said.
“To learn [the midfield component] off blokes like Matt Hanson and Tom Gribble makes it a little bit easier.
“It’s good fun to push up into the midfield, but I still love staying forward and trying to kick a few snags!”
Munro has a good feeling about how far Werribee can go this season.
“My main goal is that I want to win a premiership with Werribee,” said Munro, originally from Albury and the Murray Bushrangers.
“They’ve been a massive part of my life since I’ve been down there. They’re just an unbelievable club to be a part of.
“We’re just pushing for that finals position and from there anything can happen.
“It’s going to be an exciting end to the year.”
Sixth-placed Werribee will face in-form Collingwood at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday from 2pm.
