By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee has shown its strength in numbers in the opening four rounds of the Victorian Football League season.
You only have to look at the variety of players who have been named Werribee’s best players in each game – Jack Henderson in round one, Angus Clarke in round two, Max Augerinos in round three and Max Spencer in round four – to see how evenly balanced the team is under new coach Mark Williams.
It was all hands to the pump again for Werribee on Saturday in a 58-point demolition of the Northern Blues at Ikon Park.
“It’s good to have a number of blokes putting their hand up every week to be best afield,” Spencer said. “It could’ve been a number of players this week.
“In a good win like this week, it was good to have a good even contribution from everyone.”
Werribee was in control from start to finish.
The boys in black and gold opened up a 24-point lead by the first change and extended it to 47 by half-time.
Timm House led the way in attack with four goals, while Bior Malual added three.
Augerinos continued his good form from the Geelong game a week earlier, while Henderson, Clarke and Dane McFarlane were among the best.
The Blues fought hard to limit the damage in the second half, but the horse had long bolted.
“We showed a few glimpses in the first three rounds, but we felt like we hadn’t really put four quarters together just yet,” Spencer said.
“It was good to get four quarters together as a team and individually it’s pleasing to be playing well at the same time.”
It was Spencer’s best game for Werribee since crossing from the Gold Coast Suns.
The 21-year-old, a born and bred Queenslander, admitted it took a while for him to settle into life at a VFL club.
After a quality 21-possession and 10-mark game, Spencer seems much more comfortable in his surrounds at Werribee, in particular fitting into the back six.
“Coming down, I didn’t really know what to expect, so your view is open,” he said.
“I found it pretty challenging at the start, but I’m starting to get used to it now.
“As far as the contest goes, it’s a lot hotter and you’re coming against AFL sides with strong reserves teams, which is good to test yourself and it’s a great gauge on how you’re going.”
Spencer is a key part of Werribee’s defence.
The backline has been superb so far this season and it will have to continue to be if Werribee is to make waves come September.
“The stat shows in the last eight years, if you finish in the top four for scores against, you make the preliminary final, so it’s something we’ve taken an interest in and trying to control as much as we can,” Spencer said.
Spencer is relishing the chance to work in a tight-knit back six that has conceded on average just 66 points a game this season.
Spencer said it was a “dream come true” to represent his home town Gold Coast Suns in the AFL, even if was for only eight games – five in 2017 and three in 2018.
Spencer would love a second crack at the AFL, but his sole focus is on ending Werribee’s VFL premiership drought that dates back to 1993.
“To be able to represent the jumper for those matches was unbelievable,” he said.
“To represent your home state was more special.
“I’m still representing my town and my home place and will try to do that to the most I can at Werribee.”
