Werribee made it a successful trip north to Southport, with a three-point victory over the Sharks.

At Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, in hot and humid conditions, Werribee overcame a three-quarter time deficit to defeat Southport, 8.11 (59) to 9.8 (62). 

After Nick Coughlan won the toss for the second week running, Werribee kicked with the breeze and got off to a fast start to take a 24-point lead after the first quarter. Sam Paea and Harry Grintell, who snapped a goal of the year contender from the boundary, each kicked two first quarter goals. 

A five goal unanswered second term gave Southport an eight-point lead at half time. Veterans Dom Brew, fresh off the announcement of being the Big V captain, and Nick Hayes were both leading the way with 14 disposals a piece at the main break.

Southport kicked the first goal of the third quarter to take a game-high 15-point lead midway through the third quarter, however a running Jack Riding major from the 50-metre arc, and a late Jay Dahlhaus crumbing goal closed it to a four-point margin at three-quarter time. 

After missing a set shot several minutes earlier, Hudson Garoni converted a set shot from a big contested mark to take the lead five minutes into the last quarter. Werribee held the lead for eight minutes before a Wylie Buzza goal for Southport gave the Sharks a three-point advantage midway through the term. In his club debut, Angus Hicks, former Richmond VFL vice-captain, caught Jesse Joyce holding the ball in the forward 50 and converted the clutch set shot to give Werribee back the lead as it reached time-on in the last quarter. Huge defensive moments when defending the lead from the Hicks goal onwards, which included crunching tackles from Bior Malual and Nick Coughlan, a Jay Dahlhaus courageous mark and a Jesse Clark contested grab, allowed Werribee to hold on to a three-point victory, despite kicking against the wind in the last quarter.

For the second week running Dom Brew was Werribee’s leading disposal winner, with 30 touches, along with 10 tackles and 9 clearances. Nick Hayes stood tall with 28 disposals and 11 marks, while Jack Riding kept up his pre-season form with 21 disposals, 11 marks and a goal off half back.

FINAL SCORE
Southport 1.2 6.5 7.8 8.11 (59)
Werribee 5.2 5.3 7.4 9.8 (62) 

GOALS
Southport: W. Buzza 3, B. Woodcock, A. Hall, Z. Foot, H. Dixon, R. Banks-Smith
Werribee: H. Grintell 2, S. Paea 2, H. Garoni 2, J. Riding, A. Hicks, J. Dahlhaus 

BEST
Werribee: N. Cooper, N. Hayes, D. Brew, H. Garoni, S. Conway, S. Paea

PHOTO GALLERY - VIEW HERE

Following the bittersweet chapter of our history that was the 2023 season, the story continues and this year we want you back to help us achieve a different ending.

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