Werribee books preliminary final berth
Werribee booked a preliminary final berth with a 20-point qualifying final victory over Box Hill in the first week of Smithy's VFL Finals Series.
Saturday’s encounter against the Hawks was the first of the season between the two sides with the Big W entering on a 15-match winning streak, and the visitors having won five of their last six matches.
In front of a big crowd at Avalon Airport Oval and champion midfielder Matt Hanson's 100th game, the hosts led from start to finish registering a 16th straight win 11.14 (80) to 8.12 (60). They will now face either Brisbane of Williamstown in two weeks' time for a spot in the grand final.
It was a hot start for Werribee with some elite pressure and the first three goals of the game courtesy of set shot conversions from Shaun Mannagh, Kye Declase and Lucas Rocci helping the home side take some early ground.
Box Hill fought back late, reducing the margin to 12 points, meanwhile Werribee ended the term with a staggering 30 tackles.
The Hawks had the better of the chances in the second and went into half-time leading the inside 50s 23-21, but inaccuracy in front of goal kept them at arm’s length as the sides wrestled through a scrappy quarter.
Josh Porter kicked an early goal for the Big W before a late Keegan Gray major gave the hosts some breathing space with a 37-21 buffer.
Werribee was first on the board in the third quarter with Sam Paea snapping truly nine minutes in and soon after became provider for Jack Henderson to goal from an acute angel to push the margin out to a game-high 27 points.
That advantage didn’t last long with the Hawks responded with three straight in little time, before Declase gave the home team a much-needed steadier at the 30-minute mark via a strong grab at the top of the square.
The early stages of the final quarter would see a push from Box Hill but with the Big W’s defence held firm, ultimately tallying a game-high 22 intercepts, they would eventually wear the Hawks down.
With the game entering time on, back-to-back goals to Harry Grintell and Declase put the margin at 26 points before Noah Lever sealed the game late.
Werribee: 3.4 5.7 8.10 11.14 (80)
Box Hill: 1.4 2.9 5.11 8.12 (60)
GOALS
Werribee: K. Declase 3, K. Gray, N. Lever, H. Grintell, J. Henderson, S. Mannagh, S. Paea, J. Porter, L. Rocci.
Box Hill: B. Ryan 2, J. Thorpe 2, J. Koschitzke, S. Butler, F. Greene, C. Stephens.
BEST
Werribee: L. Pinnuck, N. Coughlan, D. Brew, K. Declase, B. Malual, N. Hayes.
PLAYER STATS
Nick Coughlan: 25 disposals (14 K, 11 HB) at 88% efficiency, 13 intercept possessions (3 marks), 9 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.
Matt Hanson: 21 disposals (13 K, 8 HB), 7 marks, 4 clearances, 5 score involvements, 5 tackles.
Louis Pinnuck: 19 disposals (13 K, 8 HB), 11 intercepts possessions (4 marks), 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements, 5 tackles.
Kye Declase: 19 disposals (14 K, 5 HB), 7 marks (2 contested), 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 4 tackles, 3 goals.
Dom Brew: 19 disposals (12 K, 7 HB), 5 marks, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 7 tackles.
Bior Malual: 17 disposals (13 K, 4 HB), 6 marks (2 contested), 3 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s, 2 tackles.
Keegan Gray: 16 disposals (10 K, 6 HB), 5 marks, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 score involvements, 3 tackles, 1 goal.
Noah Lever: 15 disposals (10 K, 5 HB), 10 contested possessions, 3 clearances, 4 score involvements, 5 tackles, 1 goal.
Josh Porter: 8 disposals (4 K, 4 HB) at 100% efficiency, 6 marks (1 contested), 9 hit-outs, 5 score involvements, 4 tackles, 1 goal.
NEXT GAME
Preliminary Final
Werribee vs Brisbane or Williamstown
Saturday 16th September. Time: TBA
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
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