A barn-storming first quarter was just the tonic for the Werribee Tigers in a 38-point win over Frankston Dolphins at the Frankston Oval on Sunday.
A week earlier against Essendon, the Tigers were a bit flaky in the first half, and stared a large half-time deficit in the face.
But they turned it around and put the Dolphins on the back foot from the word go, holding the margin to make it two wins from two starts.
Tigers’ coach John Lamont said the first quarter sealed the match.
“We kicked four goals in the first quarter, but we had enough opportunities to kick eight,” Lamont said. “Most importantly, we held Frankston scoreless, and they didn’t have an inside 50 until the 16-minute mark of the term.
“We were switched on and alert.”
Matt Hanson was thought to be in the conversation at last year’s AFL rookie draft, but no club snapped him up, so the 20-year-old Tasmanian returned to Werribee this season.
Hanson produced a performance that might have recruiters thinking twice next time. The onballer displayed a well-rounded game to sew up best-on-ground honours.
“He won plenty of the ball, used it well, made good decisions, tackled and pressured,” Lamont said. “It was a really impressive game from him.”
Hanson is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to reach the big time. The former Western Storm player has been described as one of the most “coachable” youngsters on the Tigers’ list.
“He’s got aspirations to get an opportunity at an AFL club, but he knows his game has got to improve,” Lamont said.
The Tigers were determined to exploit Frankston’s lack of height in defence. Sam Durdin (four goals) and Aaron Black (three) combined for seven goals, while ruck-forward Majak Daw was a constant aerial threat.
The message to the midfielders was to make quick decisions and not dally on the ball to ensure the Tigers’ talls were used to the maximum.
“When we went quickly to those boys, Frankston really struggled and had no answer,” Lamont said. “If we took too long, their defence was able to get back and make it a real contest.”
For the most part, Hanson, Scott Sherlock, Isaac Conway, Trent Dumont, Ryan Clarke, Aaron Mullett, Brad McKenzie, Kayne Turner and Declan Mountford made the right choices through the middle.
A nice balance of inside to outside midfielders was a feature of the Tigers’ play.
“We’ve got a good mix of guys who can win their own ball and guys who can hurt them on the outside,” Lamont said.
Since the full alignment with North Melbourne took full effect, Werribee’s list is regarded as one of the deepest in the VFL.
The Tigers will need it in a fortnight’s time against Footscray at Whitten Oval after the weekend ended with long term injuries to Ben Speight (hamstring), who’s likely to miss six weeks, and Jason Robinson (broken leg), who faces the prospect of a three-month lay-off.
“It’s important those boys stay on track, so that when the injuries happen, which they did, they’re ready to come into the team,” Lamont said.
Both the seniors and development league teams have the bye this weekend.
