Heartbreaking one-point loss to start season
25 March 2023
Werribee has fallen agonisingly short of an opening round win, losing to Brisbane by one point at the Lion's Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.
After overcoming a slow start the Big W went ahead late in the first quarter before carrying a 23-point lead into the main break on the back of brilliant first half performances from Jack Henderson, Louis Pinnuck and Nick Hayes.
Werribee saw its margin reduced to four points just five minutes into the third quarter, however, Hudson Garoni steadied the ship for the visitors before Jack Boyd's first Werribee major gave the Big W a two-goal buffer at the end of three.
After leading for more than two quarters Werribee lost its advantage 12 minutes into the final term when former Werribee forward Wylie Buzza added his third goal of the game. As rain began falling for the final 10 minutes of the match the Big W dominated territory late, but could only manage two behinds in a quarter that went 36 minutes.
FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 5.1 8.4 10.7 10.9 (69)
Brisbane: 4.2 4.5 8.7 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 2, J. Henderson 2, N. Hayes 2, J. Boyd, K. Declase, B. Malual, S. Paea.
Brisbane: W. Buzza 3, K. Lohmann 2, R. Mathieson 2, N. Cockatoo, H. Sharp, J. Tunstill.
BEST
Werribee: L. Pinnuck, J. Henderson, D. Brew, S. Mannagh, A. Lual, Hudson Garoni.
Brisbane:
PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 29 disposals (19 K, 10 HB), 12 handball receives, 7 marks, 5 inside 50s, 3 clearances, 5 score involvements.
Shaun Mannagh: 29 disposals (22 K, 7 HB) at 83% efficiency, 14 handball receives, 5 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 7 tackles, 4 score assists.
Louis Pinnuck: 26 disposals (19 K, 7 HB) at 88% efficiency, 8 intercept possessions, 5 marks, 6 rebound 50s, 4 inside 50s, 3 tackles.
Jack Henderson: 25 disposals (13 K, 12 HB), 12 contested possessions, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.
Nick Hayes: 13 disposals (10 K, 3 HB), 8 marks (2 contested), 2 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 goals.
Dom Brew: 13 disposals (7 K, 6 HB), 4 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 10 tackles.
Kobe Annand: 13 disposals (1 K, 12 HB), 25 hit-outs, 3 clearances, 2 rebound 50s, 2 tackles.
Wardell Lual: 12 disposals (9 K, 3 HB), 5 marks (1 contested, 1 intercept), 3 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.
NEXT MATCH
Round 3
Werribee vs Southport
Saturday 8th April, 12:05pm
Fankhauser Reserve
