Now, that’s more like the football people expect of the Werribee Tigers.
A week after an appalling showing against Williamstown in the western derby, the Tigers produced one of their most stirring victories under coach John Lamont – a heart-stopping two-point VFL win over Box Hill Hawks at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
In a see-sawing and perhaps even controversial last quarter, the Tigers found a way to four precious premiership points after four-goal star Aaron Black kicked a long-range sealer on the run with seconds remaining.
For three hard-fought quarters, the game went back and forth and the last term was no different.
Leading by two points, Werribee drew first blood in the fourth through Corey Wagner, the small forward sharking an opposition tap and unleashing a long bomb.
The Tigers stayed on the front foot, but easy shots missed kept the Hawks in the contest.
The latter do not have a reputation of falling away easily and kept plugging away at the deficit.
When Liam Kidd converted for the Hawks in time-on, it looked as though his side might have stolen the game.
Fittingly, Black, the dominant forward on the ground, bobbed up with his match-winner two minutes later.
But it was not without controversy.
Seconds earlier, the Hawks’ Teia Miles had a set shot on a sharp angle. It was signalled a behind but arguably would have been given a goal if video technology had been available – but there was no remonstrating from the Hawks.
Tom Gordon had a final chance to win the game for them, missing a set shot to the right.
Trent Dumont was magnificent for Werribee, dominating the clearances and working hard defensively.
Brayden Preuss rucked one-out all day and was impressive, while Ethan Petterwood was busy on debut.
Werribee, which has moved back into the top four with its 4-1 record, faces a tough trip to sixth-placed Sandringham on Sunday.
