Werribee returned from the bye and stormed to their tenth win of the season with a dominant 76-point triumph over Sandringham at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.

Five changes for the Round 15 encounter mattered little for the hosts  as career-best goal tallies from Shaun Mannagh (7), Harry Grintell (4) and veteran Michael Sodomaco (4) helped lead the Big W to a ninth consecutive victory.

Tom Gribble (36 disposals) and Dom Brew (31 disposals) starred in Werribee’s midfield again with Gribble registering his eighth straight game of 30-plus possessions while it was Brew’s third game this season with more than 30 disposals.

Sam Paea and Harry Grintell, both back in the side, bagged the opening two goals of the game with Mannagh’s first at the 15-minute mark putting Werribee 12 points clear.

Veteran Michael Sodomaco nailed the next two majors from beyond 50, before Kye Declase did the same to give the Big W their best start to a match this season.

It was Mannagh who kick started the scoring in the second term but the Zebras were quick to reply with back-to-back goals. 

Meanwhile, third  majors to Mannagh and Sodomaco with a brilliant running finish, came either side of Sandringham’s fourth goal with the margin 34 points at the main break. 

The goal fest continued in the third term with Grintell, Mannagh and Sodomaco hitting the scoreboard early before Darcy Cassar got in on the action to help stretch the difference to 64 points.

Sandringham would hit back with the next three majors before Declase raised the ton for Werribee late in the quarter with his second goal after a big pack mark.

Werribee kicked six more goals in the final stanza with Mannagh bagging three of the last four to see the hosts comfortably claim their 11th win of the campaign.

Sandringham’s final score was only marginally higher than the 61 points per game the Big W had conceded going into the day, with captain Nick Coughlan and Nathan Cooper important in another solid defensive display.

Werribee: 7.4 10.4 16.8 22.9 (141)
Sandringham: 1.4 4.6 7.6 9.11 (65)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 7, H. Grintell 4, M. Sodomaco 4, D. Cassar 2, K. Declase 2, S. Paea, T. Gribble, N. Hayes.
Sandringham: N. Gown, 2, J. Billings, O. Hotton, Z. Jones, J. Lohmann J. Segar, M. Harms, M. Heath. 

BEST
Werribee: S. Mannagh, M. Sodomaco, T Gribble, H. Grintell, N. Coughlan, B. Malual.

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 36 disposals (14 K, 22 HB), 20 contested possessions, 5 tackles, 13 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 14 score involvements, 1 goal.
Dom Brew: 31 disposals (18 K, 13 HB), 22 contested possessions, 13 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 8 score involvements, 12 tackles.
Michael Sodomaco: 29 disposals (25 K, 4 HB), 12 marks (2 intercept), 4 tackles, 5 rebound 50s, 7 score involvements, 4 goals.
Bior Malual: 26 disposals (14 K, 12 HB), 9 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 3 score assists.
Shaun Mannagh: 26 disposals (14 K, 11 HB), 16 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 11 score involvements, 7 goals.
Darcy Cassar: 20 disposals (11 K, 15 HB) at 90% efficiency, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 goals.
Harry Grintell: 11 disposals (8 K, 3 HB), 7 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 4 goals.
Kobe Annand: 8 disposals (1 K, 7 HB), 33 hit-outs, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 score involvements.

ROUND 15 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

NEXT GAME
Round 16
Werribee vs Port Melbourne
Saturday 8th July, 3:05pm
North Port Oval, Port Melbourne

After a third bye of the season, Werribee is back in action in Round 15, hosting the first match-up with Sandringham since 2019.

Having moved into third spot on the ladder, the Big W will eye a sixth consecutive home win and ninth straight victory to maintain a four-point buffer over a chasing pack of four sides.

Sandringham were close to upsetting second placed Brisbane last weekend, but the game was drawn after the hosts failed to kick a goal in the last quarter. The Zebras last won against Coburg in Round 10.

TEAM NEWS
Despite being forced into four changes, several quality players return for Werribee with Bior Malual headlining the inclusions. After missing the past two games key forward Sam Paea is back along with small forward Harry Grintell who returns after missing six weeks through injury. Defender Sam Azzi who played the first two games of the season has also been recalled. 

Due to injury Bailey Henderson, Cam McLeod and Keegan Gray are out of the side with Josh Porter also making way.

ENTRY DETAILS
Gates open from 12pm with entry costing $10 for adults and concession $5. Kids under 16 are free. Werribee members receive free entry and opposition members half price entry. 

If you're a Werribee member and yet to receive your membership card please inform the gate attendant.

ROUND 15
Werribee vs Sandringham
Saturday 1st July, 1:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 15 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

We're just beyond the halfway point of the 2023 VFL season, and the Tigers have done well so far, sitting third on the ladder as we march towards the business end of the season.

In this edition of The Big W Podcast, coach Michael Barlow and football manager Mark Micallef review every game of the season and talk about what lies ahead.

Produced by Howdy Partners Media (howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts) on behalf of the Werribee Football Club.

Post Production by Steve Visscher | Southern Skies Media

A total of 13 Werribee players were in action at local level last weekend with a number of good performances coming in surprise results across the different leagues.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West
Was at his best for much of the day in a 44-point win over Lara. Was clean with the ball and had a great impact playing a defensive role in midfield at times. Tallied 27 disposals at 89% efficiency along with four tackles.

Harry Grintell – Grovedale
Made his return from injury in less than ideal and windy conditions and ended up playing just over half a game in a narrow three-point loss to St Joseph’s. Got more involved as the game went on and laid some nice tackles.

Sam Witherden – North Shore
Yet again one of the top performers for the Seagulls in a heavy defeat to St Mary’s. Lined up on the opposition’s best forward and was strong defensively while also looking to attack. Accumulated 26 disposals and an impressive 14 spoils.  

Cam Anderson – North Shore
Had a good game playing mostly down back with a little bit of time spent in the middle. Provided some good run and carry and backed himself when he had the ball in his hand.

Charlie Byrne – Newtown & Chilwell
Enjoyed one of his best games this season with a strong showing off halfback against Colac. Competed hard on the ground and in the air, and provided good drive. Finished the day with 21 disposals.

Flynn Young – Newtown & Chilwell
Had a quiet day as the Eagles went down for the second straight week suffering a nine-point loss to the Tigers.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
Competed well in challenging conditions with some good ruck work contributing to an upset of reigning premier Altona. Had 10 disposals and four tackles in the three-point victory.  

Michael Selsby – Yarraville Seddon
Was one of the Eagles’ best players against the Vikings. Started deep forward where he was lively before spending the rest of the day in the middle. Was again busy gathering 31 disposals including 17 contested, while adding four tackles and two goals.   

Aidan Johnson – Yarraville Seddon
Worked really hard to again feature in the best players. Provided a good contest when in attack and was terrific playing as a spare against the wind. Finished with 15 disposals and two goals as well as laying five tackles.

Sam Clifford – Hoppers Crossing
Only played half a game against Caroline Springs after suffering a hip flexor issue.  Had a limited impact in the first two quarters.

 
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Zayne Galea – Williamstown CYMS

Had another solid outing to help the CYs to their third win of the season after a 14-point triumph over AJAX. Defensively made good decisions while also contributing some good rebound. Had 16 disposals, four intercept marks and three tackles.

OVENS & MURRAY FOOTBAL LEAGUE

Sam Azzi – North Shore
Found a bit more of the football this week and was solid defensively as the Hoppers claimed their second straight win with victory over Wodonga Bulldogs. Collected 23 disposals while some of his aerial play in the second half was a highlight.

BALLARAT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jack Riding – North Ballarat
Worked hard and did the little things well in shocking conditions. Tweaked an ankle slightly but was still able to contribute with 12 disposals, nine tackles and a goal as the Roosters inflicted Darley’s first loss of the season.