Match result: Werribee 16.6.102 defeated Essendon 12.12.84
Venue: Windy Hill
Conditions: Perfect for football, minimal wind (for a joint named for having lots of it)

By the numbers

*Add one goal to Nahas, Clarke & McKenzie

Best of the AFL

- Mason Wood (36 disposals, 12 marks, 6 inside 50’s, 3 goals)
- Brad McKenzie (22 disposals, 7 rebound 50’s, 6 marks)
- Declan Mountford (24 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 clearances)

Best of the VFL

- Isaac Conway (20 disposals, 3 goals)
- Michael Sodomaco (23 disposals, 6 tackles)
- Matt Hanson (24 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances)

Story of the game

The North Melbourne/Werribee alignment got underway at Windy Hill with a clash against the Bombers.

Coach John Lamont prepared his players for a bruising start, repeatedly saying “it was going to be hot early”.

The Bombers had the better of the opening stages, and dominated the game in the first half.

The Tigers went into the rooms trailing by 25 points, and the situation got worse immediately after they resumed.

Essendon kicked the first goal of the second half and stretched the margin to 31. But the flow of the game quickly turned.

Werribee was able to restrict Essendon’s uncontested marks, pressuring the ball carrier around the ground. The result was stunning as the visitors proceeded to kick 10 of the last 11 goals of the game, running away 18-point victors.

What John Lamont said

QT: Werribee 2.2.14 trailed Essendon 4.2.26

“Uncontested marks are 42 to 24 (Essendon’s way). They’re finding someone too easily. Let’s make sure we’re organised behind the ball.”

HT: Werribee 6.3.39 trailed Essendon 10.4.64

“We’ve got to use the whole ground, we haven’t done enough of it. Let’s be proactive when we defend, think your way through with a bit of common sense.

3QT: Werribee 11.5.71 trailed Essendon 11.10.76

“Big last quarter here, but we don’t need anyone to be the hero. The forwards coming up to the backs (in the third quarter) was a big improvement, we need more of that. Time in forward half is going to be important.”

FT: Werribee 16.6.102 defeated Essendon 12.12.84

“Our structure, we didn’t get that right early. We tightened that up, and the boys really grew into the game. To turn it around like we did, was really pleasing. We had a nice little buffer at the end, so we really learned a lot and it was a great experience for all the North Melbourne youngsters in particular.”

Points of interest

1. Mason Wood was clearly best on ground in the victory, amassing a career-high 36 disposals to go with 12 marks, 6 inside 50’s and 3 goals.

“It was terrific to see him win the ball in a contested sense this week,” North development coach Ben Dyer told NMFC.com.au.

“It was both at ground level and in his contested marking. Usually at VFL level he’s been able to work his opponent over and get the ball that way.

“Whereas today, he had to compete more, with a player dropping back in front of him. He’s worked really hard at it and it was pleasing to see the results.”

2. Robbie Nahas was almost as influential as Wood, finishing with a game-high four goals.

“He looked really dangerous every time the ball went forward and got into some really good spots," Dyer said.

“He worked high up the ground and helped us defend as well, which he had to do with the way the game was going.

“It just shows you if you come high and defend, there are opportunities for you going back the other way. They had no answer for him at times.”

3. Brad McKenzie was Werribee’s prime mover of half back, finishing with a team-high seven rebound 50’s.

“The more often you can get the ball in his hands, the more often it’ll be an advantage for us because he’s such a good kick," Dyer stated.

“He’s worked really hard on the understanding of his role as a defender over the pre-season, which was really valuable in the last quarter when we were trying to control the ball.”

4. For last year’s draftees, it was the first opportunity to play a game for premiership points in the VFL.

They all had their moments and were able to take plenty of learning experiences out of the afternoon.

“The midfielders, as the game wore on, particularly Clarke and Mountford, they were influential," Dyer said.

“Mountford was able to turn neutral situations into clearances for us, which is pretty important when other players fatigue. He was able to drive through the stoppages and clear.

“Clarke worked from the start of the game right to the end and his pressure was really good at times.

“Hibberd’s intercept marking was good, even though he was under the pump in the first half like all the defenders were.

“It was Benny McKay’s first game against men and the bigger bodies. For him it’s about bringing the ball to ground level early on, because you’re not going to be able to out mark like you can at the lower age level.”

Most likely AFL call-ups: Mason Wood, Robbie Nahas
Next week: v Frankston @ Frankston Oval, Sunday April 17 @ 2:00pm

Check out the best photos from Jonathan Di Maggio Photography below.