Tara Murray
Werribee Districts’ good form has continued but the big tests lay ahead in the Western Region Football League division 1 competition.
The Tigers have now won four in a row and sit in fourth spot, but face the other five teams in the six in the next five weeks.
Tigers coach Chris Gilham said they will know more about their season after this run of matches.
“We have tough games in the next five rounds,” he said. “We didn’t win enough of these matches last time.
“We lost one by one point, one by five points and one by 15 points. We are hoping to turn these ones around and get into the top three where everyone wants to be.
“If you win more games than you lose, which we should do, you play finals. It’s how you go against the top sides that decides where you finish.
“We’re looking forward to the next few weeks.”
The Tigers enter the next lot of matches with nearly a full side to pick from and plenty of confidence.
They started the second half of the season with a big win against Point Cook on Saturday.
It was a dominant display from the Tigers in the 26.16 (172)-7.5 (47) win.
Gilham was happy with the performance.
“Everyone knows that Point Cook will be a strong club down the track,” he said.
“We were able to win comfortably and take care of them.
“We were solid around the ball and the forwards got enough opportunities. We have four or five forwards capable of kicking goals.
“Trent Lee kicked 10 goals and you don’t see that often in local footy. Daniel Nielson kicked six and Andrew Panayi and Sean Gregory did a lot of selfless work.”
Lee was named best on ground, while Ben McMahon and Nielson were also named in the best.
For Point Cook, Max Rouvray kicked three goals, with Nick Nuykx named their best.
The Tigers this week face Altona. Gilham said they were hoping that Lachlan Rainbow would return.
Gilham said Joshua Mould, who has won their last two best and fairests, would hopefully return later in the season for a knee injury.
“We had three returned after the bye,” he said. “Most clubs are starting to get players back.”
In other results, Hoppers Crossing beat Sunshine.
The Warriors jumped out of the blocks and led by 40 points at quarter time.
It set the tone for the match, with the Warriors winning 19.17 (131)-2.9 (21).
Jack Dorgan kicked six goals in the win.
Caroline Springs, Spotswood and Altona were the other winners in division 1 beating Deer Park, Yarraville Seddon and St Albans respectively.
In division 2, Point Cook Centrals beat Albion, Glen Orden was too good for Wyndhamvale, Newport upset Parkside and North Footscray beat West Footscray.
In division 3, Albanvale, Tarneit and Sunshine Heights were the winners.
