By Tara Murray
A lack of experience proved the difference as Werribee slipped to another defeat in the Victorian Football League competition.
It was the local western standalone derby on Saturday, as the Tigers travelled to face Williamstown.
The two sides played on Anzac Day, with Werribee winning on that occasion but the Seagulls had not lost since.
On Saturday, there wasn’t much between the two teams for the first three quarters.
Eight points was the biggest margin at the break, with the Tigers leading by five points heading into the final quarter.
Werribee kicked the first goal of the final quarter before Williamstown kicked the next four.
The Tigers got one back before the Seagulls finished with two late goals to seal the win, 13.15 (93)-11.6 (72).
Tigers coach Jimmy Allan said it was another much they had their opportunities but couldn’t finish it off
“We were in the position to win the game early in the last quarter,” he said. “We imploded a little bit and were our own worst enemy.
“We hit the panic button and there were some uncharacteristic things and it cost us.”
Allan said they felt a lack of experience had cost them in the key moments.
He said it was something that had been an issue throughout the season.
“We are five and seven and four or five of those losses we have led in the final quarter and have not been able to have calm heads,” he said.
“It’s hard to replace that experience we lost and we have a lot of new guys. The more experienced guys stayed calmer when we were in similar positions last year.
“That’s clearly lacking in our group and it’s something we’ll work on in those games we have left and get games into guys.”
Liam Kershaw became the 17th debutant for Werribee this season.
Allan said they always expected to have a number of players step up after losing 34 players, but didn’t expect to have that many.
“We’ve had injuries to key players at the inopportune time,” he said. “We played a lot of new guys who will be better for it.
“Ideally you want two or three in your team, we’re having six or eight at the same time. We don’t have that experience to get us over the line.”
Allan said Kershaw, who had played one game with Geelong, would be better for the run.
Jay Dahlhaus kicked three goals for the Tigers, while Harry Maguire kicked two.
Allan said Bior Malual who went down back to help with ball movement was their best.
Dom Brew was busy in the middle and Sam Conway had a good battle with Tom Downie.
Maguire, Dahlhaus and Daly Andrews were the others to impress Allan.
Werribee, which sits in 14th spot and six points outside the play off game, has a bye this week.
Allan said it comes at a really good time for the side.
“We’ll give them a whole week off training and then attack the last six weeks with vigour,” he said.
Allan said they hoped to get Louis Pinnuck back after the break, while it would give a couple of others a chance to freshen up.
“Jesse Clark rolled his ankle really badly in the last 20 seconds of training,” he said. “Right up to the game we gave him little chance of playing.
“He toughed it out as we needed it.
“Jake Smith has a knee injury and he keeps putting his hand up. They’ll get a well deserved break.”
Werribee faces Greater Western Sydney after the bye.”
