Tara Murray
Despite seven wins in a row, Werribee isn’t content with how it is playing in the Victorian Football League.
Werribee put out a solid performance on Sunday against Richmond to continue its winning streak, but came away with plenty to improve on.
Werribee led by four goals at quarter time as the Tigers missed their opportunities, with the margin reduced to 11 at the long break.
After half time, Werribee made more of an impact on the scoreboard, kicking six goals to one to come away with an 11.16 (82)-4.13 (37) win.
Werribee coach Michael Barlow said they were made to work hard for the win.
“It was a good win and we continued to do what we are doing pretty well, the contested possession,” he said.
“They challenged us especially in the second quarter. A little bit through inaccuracy in the first quarter, they let us off the hook.
“The first half we didn’t play up to the level we know we can and inaccuracy by them gave us a bit of a buffer.
“It was a good win in the end, with the second half strong. We are getting results and winning games, but we’re not content with the way that we are playing.”
Barlow said the playing discussion had a chat before heading into the rooms at half about the game, which the coaches got involved in at the break.
He said everyone was on the same page and aligned with wanting to get a better performance in the second half.
He said they started to control the contested possession in the second half and were able to move on from there.
“We were pretty sloppy with the ball and the execution and decision making let us down a little bit in the second quarter in particular,” he said.
“We tidied that up in the third quarter, but reversed it a little bit too far the other way. It’s about getting the balance right.”
Barlow said they had to win a different way than they had in recent weeks, with the Tigers putting a lot of pressure on their defence.
He said it was good for the group to work through that in the last quarter.
“We controlled the inside 50s in the last quarter,” he said. “It had been pretty even for the day or it was just slightly their way.
“It was a different game to the last three months where we normally control the inside 50s. The defence had to stand up in the first three quarters.
“We broke them in the last quarter, but we couldn’t capitalise.”
Barlow said the discussion around converting in front of goal continued to be an ongoing one.
Sunday’s game was the fifth time this season they’ve kicked more points than goals.
“We will spend more time on that this week,” he said.
“You don’t have to look too far to see the impact, it was our main contributing factor last year.
“We left one out there against Geelong with poor goal kicking. We had a good chat post game and highlighted the players who do it well and how they prepare.
“What is done during the week, the technical stuff and the mental side.”
Shaun Mannagh, Noah Lever, Nick Hayes, Hudson Garoni and Kye Declase kicked two goals apiece in the win.
Tom Gribble had 37 possessions in the middle of the ground with Mannagh and Dom Brew having 29 possessions each.
Barlow rated the games of his defensive group.
“The backline as a whole was really good,” he said.
“We usually name the best six and we had six defenders in the best eight to 10, the first half in particular.
“Louis Pinnick it was his best game for the season, Tom Gribble has had a really good month and he and Dom Brew are the mainstays in the midfield.
“Sam Colhesy’s intercept marking was good and he used the ball well off half back.”
Werribee sits in fourth spot after 11 rounds.
Barlow said they don’t get caught up too much in ladder position.
“We had a mature discussion last week,” he said. “It won’t take much for clubs to drop off and other clubs to step up after getting on a good run.”
Barlow said they still see plenty of upside with their performances and the squad.
He said Matt Hanson and Sam Paea were two key pieces who missed on the weekend due to injury and suspension, but there were plenty of others putting pressure on at local level.
Werribee this week hosts Carlton on Saturday at 2.05pm at Avalon Airport Oval.
Barlow said they were vary of the Blues with a lot of pressure on the club as a whole as their AFL side continues to struggle.
