It has been a mixed bag for Werribee Tigers so far this season. Can they re-capture the form that saw them on top of the VFL ladder after six rounds, or will they continue their slump of the past month? Star Weekly reporter Lance Jenkinson reflects on the first 11 rounds of the season and looks ahead to what is in store for the Tigers for the remainder of the season.
The story so far …
Werribee (fifth, 6-4, 112.45 per cent) went into the season as underdogs but in the early rounds were refreshingly the opposite of what the so-called experts predicted.
Despite a first-up loss to Geelong and a long injury list, the Tigers reeled off five consecutive wins. And the Tigers were not exactly beating up on lower teams either, with wins over premiership contenders Port Melbourne, Box Hill and Williamstown. Then, all of a sudden, the Tiger train came to a halt, losing three of the next four before last weekend’s bye offered some respite.
The highlight …
The round three win over Port Melbourne was the day Werribee announced itself as a team to be feared this season. It had been a long time between drinks for Tigers fans to celebrate a victory at North Port Oval and they would have got great satisfaction on the drive home that night.
“Werribee people have been going to North Port Oval for 10 years to support their team and haven’t come away with a win,” Tigers coach John Lamont told Star Weekly at the time.
The lowlight …
For the second year in a row, the Tigers were forced to move their opening game up the Princes Highway because the Avalon Airport Oval surface was not ready for action.
They returned with their tails between their legs after an 18-point loss to Geelong Cats.
“That’s a bitter pill. It’s two years in a row now we’ve lost round one [hosting rights],” Tigers chief executive Mark Penaluna told
Star Weekly at the time.
The star players …
Daniel Currie is one of the premier ruckmen in the competition, more often than not giving first use to his onballers and, if not, following up at ground level better than most big men.
Tasmanian recruit Matt Hanson has stepped up to the grade with aplomb to be one of the most prolific ball-winners in the competition.
Majak Daw is continuing his development as a ruck-forward with a league-high 23 goals.
The road ahead …
The month is going to make or break the Tigers’ double-chance aspirations.
They have four consecutive home games at Avalon Airport Oval, starting with Coburg on Sunday, followed by Geelong, Sandringham and Box Hill.
Three out of four will be the aim if the Tigers are to be a serious top-four contender.
