Tara Murray
Werribee isn’t focusing too far ahead despite claiming a second straight scalp in the Victorian Football League.
After giving the Gold Coast Suns their first loss of the season last round, Werribee backed it up with a win on Saturday against reigning premier, the Casey Demons.
The win, Werribee’s sixth in eight matches, moves the side to fourth on the ladder.
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said they knew the last two teams would give them an idea of where they sit in the competition.
“We’re starting to get a few wins together which is really good,” he said.
“We knew it was a two week block that we would get a feel where we are at. Against Gold Coast, we learned that you can’t give a team a six to seven goal lead regularly and expect to win.
“Against Casey we didn’t play at a high level for patches in the first three quarters but were able to stay in touch.
“They got early goals in each of the first and third quarters and got away from us… Last week it was for a 15 minute period, there was lots of focus against Casey to make those poorer patches not as long and we did that.”
On Saturday it took three quarters for Werribee to take control of the game. The Demons led at quarter time by a goal and then Werribee led by that margin at half time and three quarter time.
A three goal to nil final term was enough to seal the win for Werribee.
Barlow admits that it wasn’t their greatest game.
“The first three quarters were tug and war,” he said. “The pleasing thing was we kept grappling and trying to stick to the game plan.
“We hung in, hung in and it was going to be which side opened the door for the opposition to walk through.
“We took that invitations around the contest and lifted our clearance game. The first 10 minutes of the last quarter, we weren’t finishing our work, then we managed to get a couple of goals and get some breathing space.”
Hudson Garoni kicked three goals for Werribee, while Sam Paea, Noah Lever and Nick Hayes kicked two goals apiece.
Barlow said their midfield was probably the most consistent performers across the day, despite allowing the Demons to get goals from clearances.
He said Tom Gribble put out a third straight week, while Dom Brew continued his good form.
Barlow said Louis Pinnuck did a good defensive job on AFL-listed Jake Melksham, while highlighting the role of Noah Lever.
“He’s been good for us this year,” he said. “He came to us as a midfielder from Williamstown but has had the opportunity to play as a high forward and has played a real team role for us.”
While happy to be sitting in the top part of the competition, Barlow knows things can quickly change with the AFL-listed clubs.
He said they were just focusing on what they can control.
“We feel like there are parts of our game that we are not doing at a high level,” he said.
“Consistency is still something to focus on. We have to be on notice and we don’t take anyone lightly.
Werribee this week faces Coburg. The Lions are yet to win a game this season and sit bottom.
“It’s our third game against a standalone club and we have not been defeated,” he said. “We want to remain undefeated.”
Meanwhile, several Werribee players will have their eye on the AFL mid-season draft on Wednesday, May 31.
Kobe Annand, Jack Boyd, Nathan Cooper, Kye Declase, Harrison Grintell, Bailey Henderson, Shaun Mannagh, Samuel Paea and Pinnuck have all nominated.
Barlow said Mannagh was the one that had spoken about the most at their club.
“The guys are realistic and what will be, will be,” he said. “ Kye Declase and Shaun Mannagh play above the level and deserve an AFL opportunity.”
Werribee against Coburg is on Saturday at Piranha Park from 1.05pm.
