After slow start Werribee comfortably trumps Roos
Werribee has equalled its longest ever win streak, recording its 13th straight victory with a 57-point defeat of North Melbourne at Arden Street in Round 19.
Trailing at quarter the Big W outscored the Kangaroos 104 to 30 over the next three quarters to triumph 16.14 (110) to 7.11 (53) and secure a finals berth in 2023.
The visitors dominated from stoppages, particularly after halftime against a North Melbourne midfield that included AFL clearance magnets Ben Cunnington and Hugh Greenwood.
Dom Brew was again outstanding in this area for Werribee gathering 12 clearances amongst his 29 disposals, while also tallying a game-high 10 tackles.
Meanwhile, Matt Hanson slotted back in seamlessly on return from injury, contributing 26 disposals, seven clearances and a goal in his first outing since Round 10.
In attack, Hudson Garoni and Nick Hayes each bagged four goals, the latter’s haul was a season-high while Garoni’s total was his best away from home this year.
With a favourable breeze to the city end of the ground Werribee conceded three goals inside the opening seven minutes of the game, but from then on Nathan Cooper and Co. weathered the storm, not allowing North another major for the quarter.
Despite the slow start the Big W would begin to generate some chances at their end of the ground, however they failed to capitalise, registering six minor scores in the first term.
The visitors would eventually get on the board just a few minutes into the second quarter with Garoni kicking his and the team’s first major before adding a second soon after later.
Hayes' first at the 13 and a half minute mark put the Big W ahead and they never trailed again with another goal to the South Australian and further majors to Harry Grintell, Matt Keast and Sam Paea giving the visitors a 26-point buffer at the main break.
The third quarter was a low scoring affair with both teams adding just 1.2 as Werribee took few risks against the breeze.
The Big W controlled the footy with 52% time in possession and a disposal efficiency of 85% while recording a game-high 38 uncontested marks to maintain their halftime advantage.
Matt Hanson’s early goal was one of the offensive highlights for Werribee with the four-time best and fairest winner engulfed by teammates after converting his set shot three minutes in.
Three of the first four majors in the final quarter went the way of the visitors to push the margin out to 37 points before back-to-back goals by the Kangaroos.
However, from the 15-minute mark it was all Werribee with the Big W ending the match with five unanswered goals to secure their 14th win of the season.
Werribee: 0.6 7.9 8.11 16.14 (110)
North Melbourne: 3.5 3.7 4.9 7.11 (53)
KEY PLAYERS
Dom Brew: 29 disposals (15 K, 11 HB), 15 contested possessions, 10 tackles, 12 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 9 score involvements.
Tom Gribble: 27 disposals (16 K, 11 HB), 8 marks, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 score involvements.
Matt Hanson: 26 disposals (16 K, 10 HB), 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 8 score involvements, 1 goal.
Shaun Mannagh: 24 disposals (15 K, 9 HB), 6 marks, 2 tackles, 10 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 1 goal.
Kye Declase: 19 disposals (14 K, 5 HB) at 84% efficiency, 11 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 4 score involvements.
Nick Hayes: 17 disposals (14 K, 3 HB), 11 marks (1 contested), 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 4 goals.
Sam Clohesy: 17 disposals (12 K, 5 HB), 6 marks (2 intercept), 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s.
Michael Selsby: 17 disposals (11 K, 6 HB), 5 marks, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 9 score involvements, 1 goal.
Hudson Garoni: 13 disposals (9 K, 4 HB), 6 marks, 7 score involvements, 3 goals.
NEXT GAME
Round 20
Werribee vs Collingwood
Sunday 6th August, 12:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee