Tara Murray
Werribee flexed its muscles against a struggling Northern Bullants to come away with its biggest win of the Victorian Football League season on Saturday.
The match was controlled from start to finish by Werribee, which came away with a 23.23 (161)-2.5 (17) win.
Werribee jumped out of the blocks and led 43-0 at quarter time, before increasing the margin to 70 points at the main break.
The third quarter was its best with eight goals, before finishing the game off strongly.
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said it was a good four quarter performance.
“I feel a little bit for what the opposition is going through,” he said. “They have a few injuries and a few challenges in the last little bit.
“We can only do what we can do. You don’t want to give a side an opportunity early and keep sides in the game.
“If you have a strong first quarter, it becomes a lot more difficult for the opposition. We were able to do it easily from there.”
Barlow said it had been a trend in recent rounds of getting off to a good start, which had made things easier.
He said they put the challenge on the midfielders to win the contest around the ball in the first quarter.
They did exactly that and were up plus-20 in contested ball and plus-11 in the clearances.
Barlow said the Bullants did respond in the second quarter and made then work harder to get the ball inside 50.
With the game in its control in the first half, Barlow and the coaching group took the opportunity to mix things around in the second half.
“We do have certain players that are having a bit of an impact, but want to try them in their second and third positions,” Barlow said.
“We’re still trying to find our best mix. Individuals at local level are putting pressure on guys in the side.
“We still have to have a deeper dive into what we feel like our best side looks like if everyone is fit and firing.”
The rotation of players was reflected on the scoreboard with 15 players kicking goals.
Hudson Garoni kicked five goals, while Bior Malual, Jack Henderson, Kye Decalse, Sam Clohesy kicked two goals a piece.
Barlow said they want to ensure that they aren’t one dimensional, which was shown by the number of players getting on the scoreboard on Saturday.
He said they had been working a lot with Hudson Garoni about getting consistency in his performance and Saturday was a step in the right direction.
Jack Henderson with 31 disposals, Matthew Keast had 29 possessions and Tom Gribble with 28.
Barlow said it was a lot of the midfielders that were the standouts along with Garoni.
“Matthew Keast the last four-five weeks has played through the midfield,” he said.
“In the absence of Matt Hanson this season, we’ve had to find the next wave of inside midfielders.
“It’s been Hanson, Tom Gribble and Dom Brew for a number of years. Jack Henderson has come in this year and was our best player on the weekend.
“We need to be pushing [more players in the midfield] this year and into the years beyond and they have been really good.
“Dom Brew set the game up particularly well as well.”
Werribee moved up to second on the ladder, only percentage behind the Gold Coast Suns.
This week Werribee faces Frankston.
A win against the 18th placed Dolphins would give Werribee a clean sweep against the other standalone teams.
Barlow said while they haven’t spoken about that as a group, it was an important little milestone to achieve.
“It would be nice to get a clean sweep,” he said. “That is important as we know the amount of work that goes in at this level of football.
“You want to test yourselves against what we consider a relatively even playing field.”
Barlow said they wouldn’t be taking Frankston lightly, with the Dolphins being in the contest in most of their matches.
He said a good start would be crucial.
Barlow said they would have a different week on the track as they continue to try and keep the group fresh.
“Throughout July we’ve looked at a bit of variety with training,” he said.
“Tuesday night will be a bit of a location night. Sessions in Geelong, Werribee and Melbourne and get everyone back on Thursday.”
Werribee this week host Frankston on Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval at 1.05pm
