Werribee Win Big in Trying Conditions for Tenth Win in a Row
22 July 2024
Werribee celebrated Jack Henderson’s 100th game in style with a 54-point victory over the Northern Bullants at home.
In the third of three consecutive games at Avalon Airport Oval, Jimmy Allan’s men handled the wet conditions best, leading from start to finish to claim a 15.13 (103) to 7.7 (49) win.
Despite the challenging weather, key forward Hudson Garoni (five goals) and Aidan Johnson (three goals) were outstanding as Werribee piled on 15 goals.
Stand-in captain Dom Brew led the way in the midfield as Werribee were on top around the contest all day. The inside midfielder had 32 disposals, including a career high 28 contested possessions, 16 clearances and laid nine tackles. Brew was well supported by Daly Andrews who kept the VFL’s leading ball winner, Jean-Luc Velissaris, to just the 18 disposals while finding 16 disposals and laying four tackles himself.
In his return game Jay Dahlhaus wasted no time making an impact, scoring a crumbing goal within the opening two minutes giving Werribee the perfect start. This ignited a seven-goal to zero first quarter.
The trio of tall forwards, Aidan Johnson, Kobe Annand and Hudson Garoni, all converted set shots in the opening 12 minutes. Jack Riding, who continues to show his improvement then laid another forward fifty tackle to win a holding the ball free kick and convert his 13th goal of the season.
Late goals from Jay Dahlhaus and Aidan Johnson extended Werribee's lead to 45-0 by the first break. Johnso continued his hot streak, marking his fourth consecutive game with multiple goals, since returning from a bicep injury.
In the second quarter as the rain began to kick the Bullants with the wind advantage began to gain the upper hand. Their inside midfielder Caleb Franks set the stage for the Bullants to take control. While they restricted Werribee to just five inside 50s, Werribee’s defence held strong, conceding only three goals, allowing them to maintain a 25-point lead at half-time.
Dom Brew had a massive 19 disposals and eight clearances at the main break, while defenders Bior Malual (13 disposals, five marks) and Jesse Clark (11 disposals, six marks) were also finding plenty of the footy.
Werribee’s leading goalkicker for the season Hudson Garoni took over in the third quarter, kicking all three of his side’s majors for the term. A three-goal to one quarter saw the Tigers extend their lead to 43 points at the last break.
Werribee managed the conditions far better in the final quarter, outscoring the Bullants with five goals to three despite kicking against the wind.
Jay Dahlhaus snapped his third goal within the opening minute, followed a few minutes later by Jack Henderson marking 45 metres out. The milestone man kicked truly to cap off the occasion with a goal prompting all 17 Werribee players on the field to flood him in celebration.
The goals continued to flow as Aidan Johnson kicked his third, earning him the Totally Workwear Player of the Round. The in-form key forward took seven marks, making it look easy in the wet conditions, and had nine score involvements to complement his three majors.
Hudson Garoni followed up with his fifth goal of the day and is now tied for first place in the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal standings. With nine goals in his last two outings, he has reached 36 goals for the season.
Finally, Jay Dahlhaus booted our final goal of the day, and his fourth for the afternoon to see us run out the game as 54-point winners.
FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 7.3 7.4 10.10 15.13 (103)
Northern Bullants: 0.0 3.3 4.3 7.7 (49)
GOALS:
Werribee: H. Garoni (5), J. Dahlhaus (4), A. Johnson (3), K. Annand, J. Henderson, J. Riding
Northern Bullants: C. Franks (2), J. Chubb, J. Hamilton, J. Jorgensen, T. Waack, W. Wuol
BEST:
Werribee: A. Johnson, H. Garoni, J. Dahlhaus, D. Andrews, F. Young, D. Brew
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