Werribee finished the Victorian Football League season on a positive note on Saturday afternoon.
After a tough season which saw the Tigers title defence come to an end without playing finals, the Tigers were keen to finish strongly.
The Tigers headed to Preston to face the Northern Bullants, with the Bullants also playing their last game of the season.
The Tigers led at every break on the way to a 12.13 (85)-5.11 (41) win.
Tigers coach Jimmy Allan said it was nice to finish the season off that way.
“It was important to finish it off the right way,” he said.
“It was a bit of a battle and then it opened up. We were on top most of the day.
“We’ve been competitive and we have lost eight games by under 20 points. We got some reward for effort.
“We go into the off season with a bit to improve on and we’ll continue chipping away.”
Allan said both sides made a lot of mistakes in the game which was tough with both sides only playing for bragging rights.
He said they were able to play the way that they wanted to despite making hard work for themselves.
“The second quarter was good against the breeze,” he said. “In the third quarter we just about put the game to bed.
“We said to the boys that we wanted to win the final quarter. The breeze had died down.
“We weren’t going through the motions and not taking anything for granted as we’d only won six games for the season.
“Can not doubt their effort and to the boys credit they were able to finish it off strongly.”
Hudson Garoni kicked four goals for the Tigers and made it a second straight season of kicking a goal in every game.
Brady Wright had one of his best games for the club, kicking three goals.
Jack Riding had 36 disposals, while Jake Smith had 34.
Allan said they had plenty of contributors.
“Mace Cousins was outstanding at half back,” he said. “He had a year off after back surgery and has battled with that this year.
“He has got some consistency in the back half of the year and looks like a really good player.
“His mate from Darley, Brady Wright was a good focal point in attack.
“Dom Brew, Daly Andrews, Jake Smith and Jack Riding all had plenty of the ball in the midfield.
“The defence stood up as well.”
Werribee finished the season in 16th spot with seven wins.
Allan said it was at times a frustrating season, but there were a lot of positives out of the season.
More than 20 players made their club debut this season after losing several experienced premiership players. Jack Henderson had done pre-season with the club before signing with Melbourne, while Zac Banch and Flynn Young were taken in the mid-season draft.
“It has been tricky and it’s been frustrating at times,” Allan said. “I’m pretty proud that they stuck at it and didn’t get blown away.
“We were undermanned for a lot of the time and the group stuck to the challenge.
“Frankston made the top four and we got over them convincingly early in the season.
“We beat all the other state league sides but Southport which was something we set ourselves for.
“Three more wins and we’re in the top 10 and we lost three games by under 10 points, so it’s not all doom and gloom.”
Allan said they would have a bit of a break before coming back to get better.
“We’ll look to keep the group together and up with some more experience and more talent and get better.
“I think we can get better.”
