Match result: Werribee 24.13.157 def. Bendigo 11.8.74
Venue: Avalon Oval, Werribee
Conditions: Lots of wind, fair bit of sunshine which was nice, 22c

In action:
- Mason Wood (19 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals – Mason is incorrectly arguing he kicked 4)
- Tim McGenniss (23 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal)
- Scott McMahon (23 disposals, 8 marks)
- Kayne Turner (11 disposals, 3 goals)
- Taylor Hine (19 disposals, 5 tackles)
- Sam Wright (31 disposals, 5 marks)
- Majak Daw (15 disposals, 4 marks, 16 hit-outs, 1 goal)
- Jarred ‘Bulldog’ Moore (29 disposals – 7 kicks, 22 handballs)
- Kieran Harper (10 disposals, 3 marks)

NMFC.com.au’s best: Wright, McMahon, Wood, Hine

Key match-ups
1. McGenniss v Magin
2. Wright v Downie
3. Daw v Lambden

Story of the game
A strong wind favoured one end and despite it being the Tigers' home ground, they lacked patience and composure when it was against them. This resulted in some ‘slingshot’ football from Bendigo keeping the visiting club in the game up until three-quarter time.

Although the game never looked like it was going to be lop-sided, Werribee managed to pull away dramatically in the final term kicking ten goals to one.

What the coach said
“It was good to get our first win on the board and kick-start our season.

“I felt we had better consistency this week with each player playing their role for the team. To be able to kick 24 goals with an even-spread was pleasing.”
– Head coach John Lamont

Points of interest:
1. Sam Wright’s resurgence.
“Wright provided a lot of run and made a lot of things happen from the back half. He initiated a lot of Werribee’s attacking moves with his hard running. It was a much better performance than last week and he looked like he was up for the challenge from the very first bounce.”- Development Manager Ben Dyer

2. Mason Wood’s ball use
“His efficiency would have been a lot higher than previous weeks in terms of set shots and field kicking. He also used the ball by hand in traffic really well.

“He took the opportunity to spend some time on the wing, which going forward, will suit his aerobic ability being that he’s a good runner. “ – Ben Dyer

3. Kieran Harper’s comeback
“Harps had a real purple patch in the second quarter and for a guy coming off a pretty interrupted pre-season, when he had the ball, he looked a class above in the way he used it.

“He looked really sharp and we expect him to build his game time and maintain some consistency moving forward which will hold him I good stead.

“He only had 10 possessions in about 70 per cent of game time, but they were all quality possessions which was pleasing.” – Ben Dyer.

4. Taylor Hine’s inside/outside game
“Taylor’s been really working on his defensive positioning and didn’t allow his opponent a clear run at the ball this week.

“He scrapped well and halved a few contests where it looked like Bendigo was out.

“On the outside, he was able to hit the first option and make some good decisions. It was a good blend of both aspects of the game.” – Ben Dyer.

5. Jarred ‘Bulldog’ Moore
“Bulldog wore a heavy tag from player Byrne and I think when he drove out of the car park, Byrne was in his back seat. Despite the tag, he still had 29 touches but I query his kick to handball ratio of 7 to 22…maybe John Lamont has instructed him not to kick it? I’m not sure.” - anon

Most likely call-ups: Scott McMahon, Wright, Hine
Next week: Port Melbourne - North Port Oval, April 19 at 2pm