WERRIBEE Tigers returned to their early-season form in the VFL on Saturday, belting Coburg by 89 points at Avalon Airport Oval.
After three consecutive losses, Werribee had to make a stand and did, effectively ending the contest with nine goals to three in the first quarter.
And the onslaught continued as Coburg had no answers to the potent Tigers’ attack, Werribee finishing with 14 goalkickers in a 27.10 (172)-12.11 (83) victory.
Competition leading goalkicker Ben Warren (pictured) kicked five, his first bag since booting 11 in the season opener against Port Melbourne, while impressive Tasmania recruit Ben Brown also kicked five.
With Addam Maric and Scott Clouston also kicking three apiece and plenty of midfielders snaring goals as well, the Tigers won every quarter but the last.
Werribee’s back six also proved a major headache for Coburg, with the Tigers managing just eight goals to three-quarter-time before kicking four in the final quarter.
It was the consistency across the four quarters that impressed most.
In the hefty losses to Williamstown, Sandringham and Geelong in recent weeks the Tigers have been competitive for part or the majority of games only to drop off for periods, resulting in losses by 83, 64 and 55 points.
But Werribee always had the ascendancy against Coburg, kicking nine, six, eight and four goals in the quarters.
Scott West challenged his players to win the final term, and though they lost it by two points, the attacking endeavour was still there.
“We had a frustrating three weeks prior so the win came at a good time,” West said.
“We got off to a good start which always gets the guys up and about. The pleasing part was we didn’t drop off after that. We were outscored in the last quarter, which was a challenge I put on the guys, but we lost two rotations off the bench which made it difficult.”
Werribee has a bye this weekend before a Foxtel Cup match against Queanbeyan at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night and a home game against North Ballarat on the following Sunday.
West said the fixturing was not ideal but said the Foxtel Cup would be a chance for some of the development team players to prove their wares.
“We haven’t discussed it yet but one thing I can guarantee is it will provide a great opportunity for the development boys,” he said.
“It will give a few of the older bodies a rest and we don’t know how the Kangaroos want to approach it yet.”
VFL Seniors
Werribee 27.10 (172) d Coburg 12.11 (83)
Werribee -goals: B. Warren, B. Brown 5, A. Maric, S. Clouston 3, J. Gysberts 2, J. Graham, J. Keras, B. Ross, T. McGenniss, J. Moore, W. Martiniello, K. Harper, M. Wood, B. Meredith. Best: J. Moore, L. Greenwood, B. Brown, A. Kennedy, J. Gysberts, B. Warren.
VFL Development League
Werribee 14.21 (105) d Coburg 11.7 (73)
Werribee – goals: A. Brown 3, K. Barbuto, C. Williams, J. Purton-Smith, C. Tudor 2, B. Henderson, J. Bolton, S. Zumbo. Best: J. Davis, C. Williams, J. Purton-Smith, D. Jones, L. Fairley, A. Brown.
