Tara Murray
Werribee needs to find a bit more polish if it is to get the results it’s after on a more consistent basis in the Victorian Football League.
After coming off a strong win against Southport in the previous round, Werribee faced the tough task of hosting Geelong on Saturday.
Werribee was made to pay for not making the most of its opportunities, losing 9.6 (60)-5.17 (47).
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said the result was disappointing considering the opportunities that they had.
The side kicked just two goals from the 15 scoring shots they had in the second half.
“In terms of stats and ownership of the game and insides 50s, scoring shots, we were in front in all those metrics, but we just couldn’t convert,” Barlow said.
Barlow said the conditions weren’t too bad at Avalon Airport Oval, despite the low scores on the day possibly showing otherwise.
He said they could have easily put on a decent score.
“We had 22 scoring shots and four or five full misses,” he said. “Had we converted, we would have had a really good score.
“Defensively we were really good, they had 15 shots on goal and 40 inside 50s. The defensive game was in check, but we needed the polish to get the chocolates.”
Nicholas Hayes was the only multiple goal kicker Werribee with two.
Shaun Mannagah struggled to repeat his efforts from the week before, kicking five behinds.
Barlow said the polish factor was more than just goal kicking.
“We’re working on it and speaking with the players,” he said. “The goal kicking is what you see in the paper.
“We’re continuing to work on the field kicking every week. Aerial marking as well. You see the goal kicking, but there’s other aspects where we need to tidy up our game.”
Barlow said the back group was the standouts in terms of four quarter performances, despite a couple of moments.
He said Louis Pinnick continued his good start to the season while Ariek Lual and Nathan Cooper continue to do roles for the side.
The loss leaves Werribee sitting 1-2 after four rounds and in 15th spot. After losing by one point in round one, the side could have easily been sitting 3-0.
“From our point of view, irrelevant to the result when reviewing the Southport game win you get the result that took our opportunities,” Barlow said.
“We kicked 4.1 which was a really good start to the quarter. It gave us space and we soldiered on from there.
“On Saturday we kicked 0.5 in the last quarter. They kicked 2.2 and that is the difference between us being 2-1 or even 3-0 and where we are now.”
Werribee this week faces Williamstown on Sunday in an Anzac Day game.
Barlow said it was pretty special to be part of a game honouring such a special occasion.
“It’s an honour to play on that weekend,” he said.
“It’s also our past players day and it’s a further return to playing at home.
“It’s a special day and it’s important to honour the day with a good effort, that Anzac spirit and what that looks like for our guys.
“The effort had been there the first three weeks, now we need to add that polish with the ball.”
The Seagulls enter the match on the back of three wins. Barlow said it’s a side that is showing it is one of the benchmark’s of the standalone sides.
“They have picked up and god some quality results against Port Melbourne, Coburg and Frankston.
“They’ll want to get a clean sweep of the standalone clubs.”
