Werribee has snapped its seven-game losing streak with a workman-like 11-point win over North Ballarat in the VFL at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers showed their intent with a fast start to the match to pave the way to victory for the first time since May 15.
Tigers coach John Lamont was eager to see a positive response from his players after the 111-point loss to Geelong a week earlier and that’s exactly what he got.
“We’ve had two bad losses this season – games where you leave scratching your head thinking what are we about – and we’ve responded both times,” Lamont told Star Weekly.
“That’s what we were looking for, that response to a really embarrassing, some could say humiliating, loss down at Geelong.
“A bit of soul searching during the week and a bit of challenging each other how to get better.
“Overall, I don’t think we were all that impressive in the win, but we eked out four points and it’s a much better feeling after the game to have won.”
In a low-scoring game, Werribee’s six-goal opening term proved the difference.
The Tigers forced the visiting Roosters to play catch-up all day and always had their nose in front on the scoreboard.
The Roosters, to their credit, refused to go away. They were even staking their claims for the four points as late as time-on in the last quarter.
The Tigers would not be denied for an eighth time running.
Lamont is hoping that winning feeling can be sustained. “We got to sing the song and hopefully now we’ll have a good week on the training track,” he said. “We spoke about it after the game, let’s make it two in a row.”
Matt Hanson was the standout player on the ground.
The body of work the Tigers’ midfielder has produced over the past two seasons gives reason for the AFL recruiters to take notice in the run home.
“He had high 20s in touches and kicked a couple of goals,” Lamont said of the Tasmanian.
“He just built on his season.”
Braydon Preuss had a big influence in the ruck, while Declan Mountford quelled the influence of Roosters’ Liston Trophy winner Nick Rippon.
Robin Nahas showed his class and capped his game with a goal, while youngster Brett Blair bobbed up for three goals.
Joel Tippett was at the opposite end stopping the goals and edging even closer to a berth with North Melbourne’s AFL team.
Ryley Barrack was a late inclusion for Ed Vickers-Willis (back/hamstring soreness) and acquitted himself well despite backing up from the development league game earlier in the day.
Werribee will host Northern Blues at 11.40am on Sunday at Avalon Airport Oval.
When you go two months without a win, finals could not be further off the agenda, but the Tigers remain a mathematical chance.
“We’re not talking finals, but while it’s still mathematically possible, we’ve just got to try and win these games because if other teams fall over and we keep up our end of the bargain, which we didn’t do earlier in the year, then who knows,” Lamont said.
