Tara Murray
Werribee is through to a second straight Victorian Football League preliminary final after a tough win against Geelong on Saturday.
The weather played a massive part in the game, making it challenging for both sides.
Werribee kicked the only three goals of the first quarter before increasing the last to 29 points at half time.
The Tigers were able to maintain the margin a gap in the second half to come away with an 8.9 (57)-5.6 (36) win.
Tigers coach Jimmy Allan said the conditions were different to what they were used to seeing at Avalon Airport Oval.
“They were very tricky and swirling to one end a little bit,” he said. “It was hard to gauge at the same time. Normally it’s pretty sheltered and the wind goes straight down the ground to one end.
“It was blowing a gale which made it tricky.”
Allan said Geelong had the slight scoring end in the first quarter. He said they were able to weather the storm early on and build from there.
“They out marked us early on,” he said. “We won a fair share of the ball and defended as well as we have for a long time.
“We set it up early but we didn’t take our chances in the second quarter to put that scoreboard pressure on.”
Allan said while it was a decent lead they didn’t feel comfortable enough that they’d done enough to have the game in the bag.
He said they were able to handle what was being thrown at them though.
“They came hard in the third quarter and we managed to weather the storm,” he said. “We managed to get a goal right at three quarter time.
“We were then able to play well in the last quarter and shut the game down late.”
Riley Bice had 35 disposals for the Tigers, while Dom Brew was his usual self with 33 in the middle of the ground.
Allan said they had a lot of contributors.
“Our midfield was outstanding,” he said. “Dom Brew and Jack Henderson were exceptional.
“Sam Conway was really good in the ruck.
“Nathan Cooper returned and showed how good he is after missing 10 weeks and keeping Gary Rohan to zero possessions in the first half.
“Sam Azzi, Louis Pinnuck, Riley Bice, Jesse Clark and Matthew Keast down back. Keast is in a different role and played well.
“Our forward did the hard work. It was so hard to pick the best players.”
In a promising sign for the Tigers, Allan said they seem to have got through the game unscathed.
The Tigers now have a week off before the preliminary final.
Allan said there would be players pushing for selection.
“Selection will be tough for the right reasons,” he said. “Stefan Radovanovic, Jaelen Pavlidis and Angus Hicks will be working really hard to come back in.
“They’re had medium to long term injuries and haven’t played for a while. It will give them another week to be in the mix.”
Allan said the group had no issues with another week off despite having had two already in the last month.
He said it would give the group the chance to rest up before the preliminary final which will be held at Avalon Airport Oval.
“On the weekend and the Box Hill game we started well after having a bye,” Allen said. “The boys were a bit banged up and they will be able to rest up.
“We’ll train Tuesday and Thursday and have a solid hit out on Saturday before preparing for the week after.”
