WERRIBEE Tigers are making an unhealthy habit of stalling out of the starting gates in the Victorian Football League.
The Tigers have been outscored 15.14 to 2.4 in the combined first quarters of their opening two home-and-away games of the season.
Unlike a week earlier when they recorded a stirring win against North Ballarat, the Tigers’ slow start came back to bite them on Saturday in a massive 59-point loss to reigning premiers Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval.
Tigers captain Robbie Castello told the Weekly it was a trend his side must “nip in the bud” before it becomes a bigger issue.
“We can’t afford to give a quality side like that a start because they don’t let you get back in the game,” he said.
“We got pretty lucky against North Ballarat and Sandy in the practice match but if you’re playing a quality side and they’re on their game, you’re never going to fight back against a nine-goal lead.
“It’s not panic stations at all, but it’s happened a third time and we’ve got to be looking at what we’ve been doing before the game and seeing what we can change to try and get off to a better start.”
The Tigers scored the first and last goals of the opening term.
Trouble is, the minutes in between was all one-way traffic in favour of the Borough.
The hosts piled on 9.6 to nothing in that time, smashing the Tigers in the clearances and giving silver service to powerful forwards Adrian Bonaddio (five goals) and Dean Galea (four), who combined for eight between them in that stretch.
The Tigers were dead and buried at quarter time but coach Scott West got a chance to see which of his players would stand up in a crisis.
Ben Warren provided a hungry target on the forward line and carved out a game that will be talked about around the selection table for North Melbourne this week.
“He seems to have taken his work rate to another level now,” Castello said.
“He’s presenting unbelievably in the forward line and the defenders are struggling to go with him. To get a reward and kick five goals is great for him.”
Ben McKinley has relished the freedom to roam and is breaking down the tag of stock-standard lead up forward.
The 25-year-old, at his career crossroads with North Melbourne, is using his strong body to have an impact on the ball and set up play, instead of being the man on the end of plays.
“He’s moved into a defensive wingman role and providing a lot of ball into the forward line,” Castello said.
“He’s got good skills, can take a good mark and is a lot fitter, so to add that extra bow to his game will only help him in the future .”
Travis Tuck was the pick of the midfielders, while Brad Mangan, Cam Pedersen and Sam Wormald showed glimpses in a tough outing for the Tigers.
The Tigers play their first home game of the season when they entertain Box Hill Hawks at Avalon Airport Oval under lights on Saturday night.
SCORES:
Seniors: Port Melbourne 22.16 (148) d Werribee Tigers 14.5 (89). Werribee – goals: Warren 5, Sullivan, Castello 2, Greenwood, Tuck, McKinley, Ross, Tudor. Best: Warren, McKinley, Mangan, Pedersen, Wormald, Tuck.
Development: Port Melbourne 6.15 (51) lt Werribee Tigers 27.19 (181). Werribee – goals: Tom 7, Purton-Smith 6, Battaglia, Treloar 3, Harrison, McCormack 2, Moloney, Eade, Lucas, Schibeci. Best: Harrison, Moloney, Tom, Purton-Smith, Treloar, Ruggles.
