Werribee made it three wins in a row and climbed to seventh on the ladder after defeating Footscray by 34 points in Round 8 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season.

The Big W reclaimed the HeathWest Cup at Avalon Airport Oval on Mothers Day after overcoming some inaccurate goal kicking to post 9.2 in the second half on the way to a 13.13 (91) to 8.9 (57) victory.

Werribee’s midfield with Tom Gribble back in the line-up, again came out on top, while a spread of goal kickers and some strong intercepting from the defence contributed to the team’s fourth win of the campaign.

Quarter one was an arm wrestle with Jack Henderson’s early goal the only major in the opening 15 minutes before both teams were able to consistently generate some chances, however goals remained hard to come by.

Footscray were held to just one goal in the first term as Nathan Cooper and Nick Coughlan won the majority of aerial contests while Hudson Garoni converted after the quarter time siren to give Werribee a nine-point lead.

Inaccuracy continued to plague the Big W to start the second with the hosts kicking five straight behinds before Garoni eventually booted the team’s third at the 17-minute mark.

Debutant Logan Morris, who came into the side after a brilliant start to the Coates Talent League season for the Western Jets, followed that up with his first, to make the difference three goals with five minutes remaining in the half.

Werribee was first on the board in the third with Michael Sodomaco goaling inside three minutes before he added another midway through the term.

The veteran's second was the first of four answered Werribee majors as Morris, Bailey Henderson and Sam Paea all nailed set shots.

Despite going into the final quarter with a 41-point lead there were some nervous moments for the hosts as the Bulldogs fought to stay in the contest.

The visitors were able to reduce the deficit to 23 points with the first three straight goals of the last, then back-to-back majors cut the margin to 15 points with plenty of time still on the clock.

After Garoni provided an important steadier earlier in the term Keegan Gray provided the much needed second at the 26-minute mark, before a couple of late goals to Paea and Shaun Mannagh saw the Big W home.

For the third straight week Werribee finishing well ahead in disposals (+63), contested possession (+25), clearances (+13), inside 50s (+21), and tackles (+29).

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 2.5 4.11 9.12 13.13 (91)
Footscray: 1.2 2.4 3.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 3, L. Morris 2, S. Paea 2, M. Sodomaco 2, K. Gray, B. Henderson, J. Henderson, S. Mannagh.
Footscray: B. Khamis 3, L. Goater 2, R. West, J. Sweet, E Macpherson.

BEST
Werribee: N. Cooper, M. Sodomaco, S. Mannagh, T. Gribble, S. Clohesy, H. Garoni. 

ROUND 8 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE