Tara Murray
Werribee’s ability to focus on the moment proved the spark to help the side to its biggest ever Victorian Football League win against Williamstown on Sunday.
After a disappointing result the previous round, Werribee stepped it up on Sunday to come away with a 24.10 (154)-9.7 (61) win.
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said he was pleased with how the group bounced back during the week.
“It was a good result,” he said. “We rightly acknowledge the good start to the year they’ve had as well.
“It’s one of those matches up against another standalone side and you get a bit of gauge. This doesn’t take away from what they do as a team.
“Some teams are up for a while and it can be hard to keep that ability to stay at that level.”
For Barlow, the biggest thing heading into the game was the work that the group had done during the week to prepare for the match.
He said they went back to the motto that they had looked at during the pre-season and it worked.
“There was a lot of work done during the week,” he said. “Individual players and individual plans improve from one week to the next.
“There’s the level of commitment to take that challenge each week and the leadership drove that during the week.
“While in the pre-season it was about staying in the moment and not looking too far ahead negatively or positively that has really come to the fore in the result yesterday.
“That is how we have to be.”
On field, Werribee started the game well and led four goals to nil at quarter time. They were able to build throughout the game and finished with 10 goals in the final quarter.
One positive for Werribee was its goalkicking which has been an issue this season.
“Goal kicking is a pretty fickle part of the game,” he said.
“Hudson [Garoni] had kicked 3.6 this year heading into the game and he was able to connect and kick 6.1
“Our goal kicking and field kicking effectiveness has been where we want it for a long while. We’ve just got to keep on working on it.”
Barlow said the group was able to win key moments throughout the match, on the ground, the contested ball and holding tackles.
While Garoni kicked six goals for Werribee, Connor Thar chipped in with four and Nicholas Hayes and Shaun Mannagh with three goals each.
Tom Gribble led the way with possessions with 30, while Louis Pinnuck had 28 disposals
Barlow said Garoni was best on ground.
“He had a strong week,” he said. “He was realistic with himself on where his game is at, he’s a really important player for us.
“He benefited from some more predictable ball movement.
“Tom Gribble had his best game for the year. He was our key midfielder and he was the driver we were looking forward to.. He had a challenging week with illness.”
In a big boost for Werribee, skipper Nick Coughlan ran out on the field for the first time this season.
Barlow said it was massive to have him back out on the field a couple of weeks earlier than expected.
“He helps a fair bit,” he said.
“The backs are going well and have been our best line for us this year, but we will always find a way to get him back into the side.
“He’s a valuable player for us in an established line at the moment. He played his role and got himself going as well.
“There was genuine joy from his point of view to be able to lead the team for the first time.”
The return of Coughlan leaves just Matt Hanson of the key guys on the injury list.
Werribee now sits 3-2 and sits percentage outside the top eight.
Barlow said they would have it easier in the week before getting on the track later in the week.
“We’ll have a circuit breaker early in the week, before the back of the week we’ll review the next game.
“We’re playing Essendon, which is coming off the bye as well.”
