Werribee made it 12 wins on the trot in Round 18, topping Frankston by 44 points at Avalon Airport Oval to retain the SkyBus Cup.

On an overcast afternoon the hosts had to work hard against the Dolphins who were again up for a fight against a more fancied opponent, and while the visitors came hot out of the blocks, the Big W were victorious 15.19 (109) to 10.5 (65).

Several Werribee leaders stepped up to help the Big W overturn a quarter time deficit, among them Dom Brew with 26 disposals and 14 tackles, and Shaun Mannagh with 24 disposals and a game-high three goals.

Kye Declase was also a key contributor tallying 23 disposals and two goals, while Nathan Cooper was best afield after a strong performance in defence.  

The opening term was an indication of how the day would play out as a hotly contested game. After Werribee opened up the scoring with two behinds and then its first major through Mannagh it was Frankston who took control with four consecutive goals giving the Dolphins an encouraging lead.

Werribee wrestled back some of the momentum late in the quarter but didn’t make the most of its opportunities inside 50 and went to the first break trailing by 10 points. 

In the second quarter the Big W got the game going on their own terms, dominating time in possession and inside 50s, 16-9.

However, inaccuracy in front of goal meant that the Dolphins remained in touch on the scoreboard. The hosts kicked 2.8 for the term and after holding Frankston scoreless took a narrow 10-point advantage into the main break.

The home team’s inaccuracy continued early on in the third stanza, but it would soon become one-way traffic for Werribee.

Two goals in as many minutes for Declase saw Werribee’s buffer out to 23 points 10 minutes into the term, and goals to Sodomaco, Mannagah, and Paea pushed the margin out to 41 points heading into the final period.

The Big W started strong in the final term and all but put the game to bed in the opening five minutes thanks to goals from Josh Porter and Michael Selsby with a brilliant snap.

Frankston surged late with four of the next six majors to give Werribee something to think about ahead of their next game, before Porter marked his return to the side by kicking his second goal of the day, after the final siren.

Werribee: 2.4 4.12 10.15 15.19 (109)
Frankston: 4.2 4.2 5.4 10.5 (65)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 3, H. Garoni 2, K. Declase 2, S  Paea 2, J. Porter 2, D. Brew, M. Sodomaco, J. Boyd, M. Selsby.
Frankston: M. Johnson 3, F. Ryan, M. Szybkowski, K. Owens, W. Fordham.

BEST
Werribee: N. Cooper, S. Mannagh, D. Brew, J. Porter, S. Paea, H. Garoni.