WERRIBEE has offered plenty of encouraging signs for new coach Cam Whyatt in its first game in the newly-formed Hockey Victoria men’s Vic League 1.
The Tigers led Brunswick by two goals for most of a pulsating, end-to-end battle at President’s Park on Saturday, but the visitors struck twice in five second-half minutes to grab a share of the points.
Whyatt said that he saw enough in the opening 50 minutes to suggest his underdog team will be a tough nut to crack on home turf this season.
“To go 2-2 against a team that finished mid-table in the league above us last year is an exceptional start to the season,” he said.
“It’s a good foundation. It just shows for the rest of the year, Werribee is going to be up and about.”
The Tigers had two gilt-edged chances to score winners in the dying minutes. With the goalmouth gaping, Sam Huxtable and Tim Dean could not find the back of the net.
The Tigers built their two-goal advantage on a pair of goals from Michael Condon.
Their defence, led by Jayden Street, Matt McCubbin and Haymish Wawatai, withstood most of what the Wicks’ attack could throw at them.
Whyatt believes the taxing nature of the game wore down the Tigers resolve.
“The way the boys played, they just played their heart out,” he said.
“There were a few disappointing aspects, a few lazy things that crept into the game because they were going so hard and Brunswick were running hard at us.
“It was just a lapse in concentration that allowed them to get back into the game.”
The Tigers were pleased with the influence of youngsters such as Joshua Pace and Joshua McDonald.
“They’re really showing fight and determination to take the workload off the older guys,” Whyatt said.
The Tigers will stay at home in round two for the visit of LaTrobe University on Saturday.
In the women’s Vic League 2, Werribee was beaten 5-2 by Brunswick at President’s Park.
Chloe Pickersgill and Lisa Ross were the Tigers goalscorers.
SCORES
Men: Werribee 2 Brunswick 2
Women: Werribee 2 Brunswick 5
