By Lance Jenkinson
“Do it for JL” was the Werribee players’ catchcry before the game.
Of course, the players were referring to their coach and mentor John Lamont, who announced on Thursday night he would be stepping down from his coaching post at season’s end.
It was at the forefront of the players’ minds as they produced a stirring 14-point win over a Box Hill Hawks side that many feel is a Victorian Football League premiership contender this season.
Small forward Andrew Hooper, who electrified Werribee with five goals, said the respect the players have for Lamont was apparent for all to see in their post-game celebrations.
“It was a great end to an emotional week,” Hooper said. “It was good to get a win for the boys over a top-four side at the time and to do it for JL.
“It really showed after the win when we were singing the song, all the boys got around him and that’s what shows how much he means to the boys.”
Hooper has only been involved with Werribee this season, but even in a short space of time Lamont has had a big impact on him.
“He’s been phenomenal,” Hooper said.
“He’s all for the club, he’s all for his staff and he’s never about himself.
“It’s his professionalism, his feedback. He takes time to sit down with players.
“That’s why everyone loves him.”
This was one of Werribee’s best wins of the year.
Not only was a quality Hawks outfit standing between Werribee and the four points, but also a day of changing weather with sun, rain and hail offered up variable conditions.
It was almost goal-for-goal for three quarters before Box Hill burst out of the blocks in the fourth quarter to take a 12-point lead to be seemingly headed for victory. Little did they know that Werribee had one last burst in them, which yielded four unanswered goals.
Werribee opened up a 14-point lead at the 20-minute mark of the fourth quarter, but there was still 13 minutes left in a long quarter.
The message from Lamont was to stick to their team’s defensive mechanisms and they stood up for 13 scoreless minutes.
“It was one of those dog fights, just contested footy and stoppage after stoppage,” Hooper said.
“We didn’t want that ball to be free flowing because we knew the Hawks can be dangerous.
“To hold on to the win, it was important that we kept it boundary-side and try to take it out as much as possible, and took time off the clock.”
Sam Collins filed another best-on-ground performance, rendering Box Hill “just another casualty” in the words of Hooper.
Collins showed more strings to his bow, spending time forward and even in the ruck, while also his familiar position down back.
Captain Michael Sodomaco was both an offensive weapon and a tackling machine for Werribee, while youngster Jordon Butts impressed with a team-high 10 marks.
Nathan Laracy made his comeback to Werribee’s side after two years of frustration with constant knee issues.
When the siren sounded, Werribee had won its sixth game of the season and its second in a row.
If ever Werribee did not need a bye, it’s this upcoming weekend, but those were the cards that were dealt.
At least they will get a chance to really enjoy the Box Hill win.
“The bye has probably come at the wrong time, but the boys can freshen up and get ready for North Melbourne in JL’s last game,” Hooper said.
“Hopefully we can finish off with a win and end 2018 on a positive note.”
