Werribee wrapped up its preseason on Friday night with a trip to Highgate Reserve in Craigiebrun to again face a fellow standalone, Coburg on this occassion.

The club named a 28-man squad for the match and among it was a preseason debut for Jack Driscoll with the young ruckman returning to full fitness after a minor injury setback.

Werribee started the match well with key players Tom Gribble, Shaun Mannagh and Nick Coughlan among those to have an instant impact.

Up forward it was a trio of talented youngsters who helped the Big W out to an early lead with Hudson Garoni, Sam Paea and Saad El-Hawli all kicking first quarter goals. 

Coburg, a team that finished 2021 with a 3-7 record while losing four games by four points or less, provided a real challenege for Werribee through the second and third terms.

After holding the Big W to just two behinds in the third quarter the Lions went into the final term with a two-point advantage and quickly extended that when the final stanza got underway.

However, Werribee showed great character to wrestle back control as Gribble led the way in the centre of the ground and the likes of Jack Henderson and Kye Declase continually drove the ball inside 50.

With plenty of repeat entries Josh Porter and several other forwards were able to take advantage while in defence Nathan Cooper and Tom Boyd did all they could to ensure the team a fourth preseason win.

Scroll down to hear from senior coach Michael Barlow and young defender Jesse Clark.

MATCH DETAILS

Werribee: 3.2 6.6 6.8 10.14 (74)
Northern Bullants: 2.1 4.3 7.4 9.7 (61)

GOALS
Werribee: J. Porter 4, H. Garoni, S. Paea, S. El-Hawli, J. Henderson, J. Dahlhaus, S. Mannagh

BEST
Werribee: J. Porter, K. Declase, N. Cooper, J. Henderson, T. Gribble, T. Boyd 

NEXT MATCH

ROUND 1
Frankston v Werribee
Saturday March 26, 7.05pm
SkyBus Stadium, Frankston