Werribee Bears are the undisputed No. 1 rugby league club in the western suburbs – for the time being at least.
The Bears are the team to beat out west after a barnstorming 52-20 win over Altona Roosters in the Victorian Rugby League first grade at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday.
It’s the second time they have beaten their arch-rivals this season.
PICTURE GALLERY: Werribee Bears v Altona Roosters
Bears captain James Te Whata said it was time for the young, ambitious club to start challenging the Roosters, who are the most successful club in VRL history.
“The Roosters have been around for a long time and they’ve won so many premierships, so a lot of people respect their club and go there because they know they’ve won,” Te Whata said.
“It’s time that a young club comes up to give them a bit of a challenge.”
The Bears have broken into the top-four and are ready to give the competition a shake.
Te Whata, a foundation member of the Bears senior section which began four years ago, said the club had never been better placed to have a shot at the ultimate glory.
That’s a big statement, considering the Bears are still no guarantee to reach the playoffs.
“It’s probably the best side we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Te Whata said.
“We haven’t got superstars, we’ve just got a huge brotherhood going on.
“Everyone is keen and if we get to the semis, I think we can go all the way.”
The Bears will have to earn the right to feature in the September action.
They will confront the dangerous Doveton Steelers at home on Saturday, the fifth-ranked side that is desperate to take the Bears’ spot in the four. Werribee will then have the small matter of dealing with the North West Wolves, the team sitting directly above it on the ladder, on the final day.
The Bears’ recent form has been as good as any, and there’s no reason why they can’t
keep it up.
Their potent left side, led by Latham Harris-Pont, Kingi Kani and Liam Reid, was nearly unstoppable against the Roosters.
Harris-Pont collected man of the match honours after running in two tries.
“They just dominated that left side – it was try after try,” Te Whata said. “The defence of the Roosters had nothing against them.”
The forward pack, of which Te Whata is a key part, got their hands dirty to lay the foundation for the Bears’ success. Andrew Mafi, Martel Opo and Sebastian Lagaaia not only chewed up the metres but stopped the Roosters’ forwards in their tracks.
The Bears are calling on local rugby league fans to pack Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday to cheer the team all the way to the finals..
