Match result: Werribee 9.5.59 defeated by Coburg 9.19.73
Venue: Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
Conditions: Cold, a stiff breeze to one end of the ground, and wet
Story of the game
After watching Adelaide’s inaccuracy on Thursday night against the Roos, Coburg did its best to repeat the effort against North’s VFL affiliate.
In wet conditions, Werribee would have liked to have had more shots on goal, particularly in the opening half.
Part of that could be attributed to Werribee’s start to the day, with forward Aaron Black knocked unconscious in a marking contest just three minutes in to the first term.
The game was delayed for several minutes while North’s number 35 was stretchered off the ground. Black was alert and talking in the rooms after the hit, but was taken to hospital, undergoing further scans.
The Tigers took a narrow lead into the first term, but it was a different story in the second, with the home side unable to trouble the scorers.
Ultimately, that term would be the deciding factor.
Werribee remained within touching distance in the third quarter, and after a quick start to the fourth, the home crowd was up-and-about as the Tigers clawed the lead back to just three goals with plenty of time remaining.
But with Werribee down to a limited number on its bench thanks to injuries, Coburg held on.
Ben Speight was able to boot a goal on the siren to reduce the final margin 14 points.
What the coaches said
Ben Dyer, Development Manager
“They (Coburg) controlled right from the start really, which was down to our ability to win the ball on the inside and we really struggled to exit our defensive 50 with any sort of method or control, so the ball kept coming back in,” Dyer said.
“We fixed a few things second half, but the scoreboard would suggest it was pretty one-sided unfortunately.
By the numbers
Jed Anderson – 10 disposals, four tackles, three hitouts
Aaron Black – injured in the third minute
Ryan Clarke – 33 disposals, 11 clearances, six tackles
Will Fordham – 19 disposals, three marks, four rebound 50s
Mitchell Hibberd – 16 disposals, four tackles, three rebound 50s
Ben McKay – 9 disposals, three clearances, three inside 50s
Declan Mountford – 12 disposals, three inside 50s, five tackles
Braydon Preuss – 8 disposals, 18 hitouts, four marks
Joel Tippett – 10 disposals (100 per cent efficiency), three rebound 50s
Ed Vickers-Willis – 13 disposals, four rebound 50s
Stats to be confirmed in the coming days
Best of the AFL
Ryan Clarke: Tailor-made for these conditions, collected plenty of the ball, with 33 disposals in another impressive performance in the midfield. Had 11 clearances, three inside 50s and six tackles.
Jed Anderson: He was shifted into the midfield in the second half and was an integral part of Werribee’s comeback. Had four tackles and despite being a “small” forward, went third man up on several occasions to earn himself three hitouts.
Best of the VFL
Matt Hanson (22 touches, seven tackles, seven clearances and seven inside 50s) gave Werribee plenty of attacking drive throughout the game. Popped up all over the ground and ran all day.
Points of interest
1. Jed Anderson is putting his hand up
For just his second game since a lengthy injury lay off, Anderson looked solid up forward and again in the midfield after being moved on ball in the second half.
With another game under his belt, Anderson will be looking to impress on the training track once the playing group returns from the bye, and ultimately be hoping the coaching staff think he’s done enough to earn his place against the Eagles in Round 16. Time will tell.
“He’s building well,” Dyer said of Anderson’s game.
“He just gave us a little bit more spark around the contest in the second half. It was a tough game to get involved, but at least going on ball in the second half he was able to up his involvements in the second half.”
2. Ryan Clarke’s leather poisoning
Days like Saturday were made for Ryan Clarke. It may have been cold and slippery, but Clarke simply saw ball and got ball.
The number 13 saw plenty of it and Dyer was happy with his effort.
“He’s got a real desire to win the ball inside and then spread hard as well, so that’s a pretty good combination and certainly wrapt with the way he’s going,” Dyer said.
Clarke himself was also pleased with his contribution.
“I don’t really mind the conditions,” Clarke said post-match.
“I thought I competed all day, so that’s the main thing I go into games aiming for. I hit my tackle count so pretty happy.”
3. All just a bit of history repeating
Sides will often be left to rue accuracy in front of goal, and Coburg were nearly overrun in the last term, despite having double Werribee’s shots at goal.
Any North fans watching on would have had flashbacks to Thursday night, where the Crows accuracy was well off the pace at Adelaide Oval.
Most likely call up: Jed Anderson
Next week: Bye
