Tigers primed for Round One By Domenic Favata
The Werribee Tigers have capped off an impressive pre-season defeating the Sandringham Zebras by 13 points at Moorabbin. Werribee has four wins from four games this pre-season, with impressive victories over Box Hill, Williamstown and North Ballarat.
Like the game against the Roosters, the match was a tale of two contrasting halves of football, which saw Werribee storm home in the second half after a mediocre first half.The Tigers were unable to contain the Zebras pace and flair around the stoppages in the first half, with 14 St Kilda listed players featuring for Sandringham, many of whom were high draft picks. Werribee’s ball use let them down in the first half, giving away the ball in costly moments, allowing the Zebras to take an eight point lead into half time.
After the break, Werribee were a completely different side and totally dominated the quarter, setting up a match winning lead at three quarter time. The Tigers kicked seven goals to one for the quarter, and its ball use and overall structure around the ground improved considerably.
What made the quarter even more significant was the fact that Werribee were without Dylan Reid in the ruck, who was taken off at half-time. This resulted in Majak Daw having to shoulder the majority of the ruck load for the second half, with admirable support from Trent Shinners.
The first half of the last quarter saw the Tigers continue where they left off, booting three goals in quick succession, before the Zebras were able to make the scoreline look respectable with a few goals late.
Again, the Tigers were running on empty, down to 19 players at one stage in the last quarter, due to injuries and players being rested.
For the Tigers, Tim Mc Gennis lead the way with 38 possessions, while Tom Gribble (29 and a goal) and Jye Botlon (26 and a goal) were at their usual consistent best.
Ben Warren was again the standout forward on the ground with three goals, while Josh Porter and Majak Daw each chimed in with two goals as well.
Daw in particular was very impressive for the Tigers, amassing 22 hitouts and rising in the absence of Reid.
Werribee 4.4, 5.6, 12.9, 15.9.99
Sandringham 3.1, 7.2, 8.8. 13.8.86
Goals Werribee- Ben Warren 3, Josh Porter, Majak Daw 2, Tom Gribble, Ben Speight, Addam Maric, Trent Shinners, Kayne Turner, Jobi Harper, Jye Bolton, Scott Sherlock.
Sandringham- Terry Milera 3, Daniel Markworth, Adam Cockie 2, Sam Dunnell, Kenny Ong, Seb Ross, Tom Simpkin, Patrick Teirnan, Spencer White.
In the curtain raiser to the seniors game, Werribee defeated the Zebras by 91 points in a one-sided affair. After a slow start, the Tigers upped the tempo in the second half and kicked 13 goals to three, with Sam Zumbo (26 possessions) and new recruit Lee Dale (28) starring in midfield. Also impressing for the Development squad was Meyrick Buchanan (28 posssesions and a goal), while the forward trio of Ashlin Brown (4 goals), Hugh Wales (3) and Daniel Burton (2) were a standout.
Werribee 3.4, 8.7, 16.11, 21.16.142
Sandringham 3.0, 5.0, 7.2, 8.3.51
Goals Werribee- Ashlin Brown 4, Hugh Wales 3, Daniel Burton, Billy Henderson, Billy Iles, George Cameron 2, Sam Zumbo, Jake Sharp, Meyrick Buchanan, Ben Stretton, Brody Mihocek, Keenan O'Shea.
Sandringham- Graham Dalton, Beau Dowler 2, Jack Beech, Charlie Kelso, Will McTaggart, Malcolm Neiwand
Last Modified on 30/03/2014 12:56