Werribee defeats reigning premier for sixth win

27 May 2023

Werribee backed up its win over an undefeated Gold Coast with another top four scalp, trumping reigning premier Casey at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 10.

Victory over the Demons came despite the hosts being two rotations down for the majority of the second half, with Kobe Annand and Matt Hanson going down injured after veteran Michael Sodomaco withdraw just before the bounce.

The 16.10 (106) to 12.6 (78) result was the Big W’s fifth straight win and sixth of the season and came in front of members of Werribee's 1993 premiership who watched on as part of the club's 30-year reunion.

It was far from the perfect start for the home team with Casey jumping out to a two-goal lead inside the opening three minutes, but the Big W would eventually get their game going, trailing by just two points at the first change.

Keegan Gray gave Werribee first blood in the second stanza with a quality finish in the second minute putting the hosts ahead for the first time, before second majors to Sam Paea and Hudson Garoni had the Big W nine points clear midway through the quarter.

Casey regained the lead for a second time at the 25-minute mark as a result of back-to-back goals, but Werribee then nailed three in the space of five minutes courtesy of Boyd, Garoni and Kye Declase to go 12 points up with a couple of minutes remaining in the half.  

Goals came in quick bursts for both teams in the third quarter with Casey adding two in little time to give them back the lead early before Werribee replied through Nick Hayes and Tom Gribble.

Two more majors for the Demons put the visitors in front again, however a miracle goal from the pocket by Matt Keast tied the scores at the 24-minute mark before Hayes and Noah Lever converted set shots to give Werribee a double figure advantage.

All five of Werribee’s third quarter goals came off turnovers with Louis Pinnuck, Nathan Cooper, Sam Closhey and Wardell Lual playing a big part in winning the ball back for the home team.  

With a six point margin in favour of Werribee going into the last the hosts would only stretch their lead with Bior Malual finally registering the Big W's 14th goal of the day after six minor scores including five consecutive behinds.

A second major to Noah Lever following a strong pack mark and a Dom Brew stoppage-goal from a boundary throw-in all but confirmed the four points for Werribee at the 22-minute mark, while the defence capped the performance by holding Casey to just two behinds in the term.   

The final statistics again made for good reading for Werribee who came out on top in disposals (+86), contested possessions (+34), tackles (+18), inside 50s (+12) and clearances (+8).

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 2.2 8.3 13.4 16.10 (106)
Casey: 3.2 7.3 12.4 12.6 (78)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 3, N. Hayes 2, N. Lever, S. Paea 2, K. Gray, J. Boyd, D. Brew, K. Declase. T. Gribble, M. Keast, B. Malual.
Casey: J. Schache 2, J.Melksham 2, J. Smith 2, A. Moniz-Wakefield, B. Brown, G. Grey, M. Jefferson, T. McRae, M. White. 

BEST
Werribee: D. Brew, K. Declase, J. Boyd, N. Lever, T. Gribble, H. Garoni.

PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 33 disposals (22 K, 11 HB), 13 handball receives, 8 inside 50s, 7 clearances, 4 score involvements, 5 tackles, 1 goal.
Dom Brew: 28 disposals (20 K, 8 HB), 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 5 tackles.
Shaun Mannagh: 26 disposals, (20 K, 6 HB), 9 inside 50s, 6 clearances, 8 score involvements, 4 tackles.
Kye Declase: 23 disposals (14 K, 9 HB) at 91% efficiency, 10 handball receives, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles.
Louis Pinnuck: 19 disposals (15 K, 4 HB), 8 intercept possessions, 5 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.
Matt Hanson: 19 disposals (10 K, 9 HB), 12 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 tackles.
Jack Boyd: 15 disposals (5 K, 10 HB), 13 contested possessions, 3 contested marks, 23 hit-outs, 7 score involvements, 4 clearances, 1 goal.
Noah Lever: 12 disposals (6 K, 6 HB) at 92% efficiency, 4 intercepts, 4 score involvements, 2 goals.
Hudson Garoni: 10 disposals (6 K, 4 HB), 5 marks (1 contested), 5 score involvements, 3 tackles, 3 goals.

ROUND 10 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

NEXT GAME
Round 11
Werribee vs Coburg
Saturday 3rd June, 1:05pm
Coburg City Oval


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