Tara Murray
Werribee held its nerve late to come away with the points against Southport on Saturday in the Victorian Football League.
Fresh off a bye, Werribee headed to Queensland for the second time in three rounds to face last season’s runners-up.
After losing a thriller in round one, Werribee wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.
Five final quarter goals were enough to seal the 12.14 (86)-8.15 (63) win for Werribee.
Coach Michael Barlow said it was nice to have the winning feeling again.
“It was a bit of an arm wrestle,” he said. “The stats show it was a really even game statistically.
“There were two or three periods in the game where I felt that we really controlled it.
“There was early in the game in the first 15 minutes, but we didn’t capitalise on our scoring opportunities.
“Then the first 10 to 15 minutes of the last quarter, we got some dominance and were able to convert, which we haven’t been able to do for a while.”
While Werribee had taken control of the game early in the last quarter, Southport continued to come and push Werribee.
Barlow said the group was able to keep the pressure on late to secure the win.
“We never felt like we had the game won,” he said. “They threw some things at us tactically that were going to challenge us.
“The fatigue was real. We were playing in Queensland and after a bye the weekend before, so we aren’t match hardened as we would want to be.
“You don’t know where you are at. They missed a few opportunities late. We made those opportunities hard for them.”
Shaun Mannagh kicked four goals and had 40 disposals to be one of the standouts for Werribe.
Connor Thar, in his first game for the season kicked three goals, while Kye Declase kicked two goals.
Bior Malual had 28 possessions.
Barlow said it was their leaders who really stood up when they needed them to on Saturday.
“Shaun from a stats point of view was the real standout,” he said.
“The likes of Dom Brew, Tom Gribble, Jack Henderson and Louis Pinnuck were really good. Those types of players elevated their games a little bit and will only improve as we play more.”
Another good sign was Bailey Henderson making his debut for Werribee in the win. Barlow said the rest of those missing wouldn’t likely be back until after the bye.
For Barlow the win backs up that they are heading in the right direction.
“We see them as a benchmark from a standalone point of view,” he said.
“They have had some changes, but they will be a contender again. It is good that we have elevated the performance from round one, when we played Brisbane which is a really good side.
“We are 1-1 and we feel like the Brisbane game is one of those close losses that we could have won. It was nice to get that first win and now we look ahead to next week.”
Werribee is at home for the first time this season, hosting Geelong.
The Cats sit 1-2 after the first three rounds with varying results.
“We’ll prepare for their best,” he said.
“We never know what personnel will be there. They tore apart Carlton in round one.
“Their personnel are a little light at the moment, I think. That can change quickly, week to week.
“We don’t take anyone lightly.”
