FOOTBALL is an inexact science at the best of times.
But not even the most outside-the-square thinker would have envisaged a stranger introduction to the coaching caper for Werribee Tigers’ new coach Scott West.
West’s worst “nightmares” came true when his Tigers trailed a rampant North Ballarat Roosters by 40 points at quarter time at Eureka Stadium on Saturday and conceded the first goal after the break to make it seven unanswered.
Somehow, less than two hours later, West was in the changerooms singing the Tigers’ theme song with gusto after mounting an unbelievable come-from-behind 35-point win inspired by an 11-goals-to-two third quarter.
“Footy is a funny game,” he said with a chuckle. “You can score quickly and get on a roll.
“It gives you nightmares being in this situation at quarter time coaching your first game at Werribee.”
The Tigers were fumbling their way to a huge deficit in just 30minutes. Their disposal was second-rate with turnovers killing their forward thrusts.
The Roosters just had a harder edge about them and a willingness to work harder to get to contests and support teammates.
“We played our part by messing up with the ball,” West said. “That’s not to take anything away from the Roosters because they were playing with great intensity.”
The second term saw a huge shift in momentum, even if it did not translate on the scoreboard.
The Tigers had the bite to match their roar as they contained the Roosters and cleaned up their act to find avenues to goal.
The Tigers were wasteful but the damage limitation operation was successful and the margin was trimmed ever so slightly to a reachable 36 points by halftime. The game turned on its head in the third term on the back of a breathtaking 11-goal term from the Tigers, who against the odds took a 15-point lead into the final term.
Any mistakes committed in the first quarter were totally flushed out of the Tigers’ system and it was the Roosters who resembled witches’ hats as the visitors ran amok.
“We were putting more direct pressure on the footy and using the ball better,” West said. “We ran and spread a lot harder.”
A touch of normality was restored to the game with the Tigers holding on to victory with a five-goals-to-two final term and giving West his first win as head coach.
Young defender Scott Sherlock was the standout for the Tigers.
He burned the Roosters forwards with his blistering pace and had the hunger of a player returning from a succession of injuries.
Ben McKinley (four goals) and Ben Warren (two) were commanding in the forward line.
Captain Robbie Castello lifted after halftime to boot three majors.
The Tigers will make their ABC-TV debut for the season at Port Melbourne on Saturday.
SCORES:
Seniors: North Ballarat 14.16 (100) lt Werribee Tigers 20.15 (135). Werribee – goals: B. McKinley 4, R. Castello 3, J. Mather, B. Warren, B. Speight 2, W. Sierakowski, W. Sullivan, S. Sherlock , C. Pedersen, T. Ruffles, L. Greenwood, B. Ross. Best: S. Sherlock, B. Warren, B. McKinley, B. Mangan, T. Tuck.
Development: North Ballarat 11.8 (74) lt Werribee Tigers 18.11 (119). Werribee – goals: J. Treloar 4, J. Tom 2, J. Sheahan 2, J. Purton-Smith 2, K. Paliouras, J. Davis, T. Harper, S. Harrison, T. Ruggles, D. Schibeci, T. Battaglia, M. Sodomaco. Best: F. Priest, J. Sheahan, B. Moloney, T. Harper, J. Purton-Smith.
