Match result: Werribee 12.10.82 defeated Casey 10.9.69
Venue: Casey Fields
Conditions: Strong wind to one end, rain during the last quarter

In action:

- Majak Daw (13 disposals, 49 hit-outs, 8 tackles, 7 clearances)
- Will Fordham (19 disposals, 6 inside 50’s, 4 tackles, 1 goal)
- Lachlan Hansen (8 disposals, 6 marks)
- Kieran Harper (6 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal)
- Scott McMahon (14 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50’s)
- Eric Wallace (3 disposals, 26 hit-outs)
- Mason Wood (14 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals)

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Majak Daw

Story of the game:

Werribee travelled out to Casey Fields on Sunday, greeted by the normal windy conditions. With the winner to go three games clear inside the eight, the stakes were high.

The Tigers had first use of a strong wind, worth a few goals, but only led by eight points at quarter time. They looked to have made a fatal mistake when Casey kicked seven goals to one when it had the advantage in the second quarter.

Facing a 26-point deficit at the long break, Werribee’s response in the third term turned the game. Sparked by a Kieran Harper chase down tackle, resulting in a goal, the visitors slammed on seven goals for the quarter. With an eight-point lead and a quarter to go, the game was up for grabs.

Perhaps in Werribee’s favour, the rain arrived during the three quarter time break. Although the match hadn’t been the cleanest up until that point, the wet weather turned it into a scrap, helping the Tigers defend and lock the ball up.

There was only a solitary goal in the 34 minute final term, and it went the way of Werribee. It was enough to allow the visitors a 13-point victory, and now they're outside the top four on percentage only.

Points of interest

1. After a quiet fortnight, Majak Daw bounced back in emphatic fashion.

His 49 hit-outs, eight tackles and seven clearances in tricky conditions was labelled as ‘sensational’ by Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown.

“He’s had his 49 hit-outs and (Mark) Jamar has only had 28 and (Jake) Spencer 19. Maj dominated the ruck,” Brown said.

“He was really, really good and even better after half time. Some of his tackling was outstanding for a ruckman, they were a bit Goldy-like.”

2. Mason Wood was an important forward during Werribee’s surge in the third quarter, kicking two goals and being influential in several key passages of play. He finished with three for the afternoon.

“It was a game of two halves for Mase. His second half was much better and he was judging the wind well,” Brown said.

“It was pleasing for him to bounce back, and he could have had a couple more goals as well, he finished with 3.2.”

3. Continuing his impressive form for a first-year rookie, Will Fordham was arguably Werribee’s best when the chips were down.

“His first half in particular was really good,” Brown added.

“He ran, carried and broke the lines for us and he was just about the only person that was willing to do that early on.

“He’s had four tackles as well so he got involved to add to those 19 disposals.”

4. With the game largely played at ground level, Lachlan Hansen found himself playing a different position to normal at stages of the game.

“He went forward in the third quarter and had a real impact because he tied up (Jack) Fitzpatrick,” Brown said.

"Lachie was able to make Fitzpatrick accountable because he’d had seven or eight marks in the first quarter alone.

“That allowed Porter (fellow Werribee forward) to come across and mark the footy.

“Then he went back in the last quarter and was solid all round, getting through the game.”

Most likely call-up: Majak Daw
Next week: Sunday August 9 v Essendon, Windy Hill at 12:00pm