Who: Werribee v Northern Blues
Where and when: Avalon Airport Oval, Sunday July 31, 11:40am EST
NMFC members free: North members receive free entry upon presentation of membership card
Tickets: Available at gate - Adults $10, Members/Concession $5, Children under 15 free
Coverage: NMFC on TwitterWerribee FC on Twitter | Match reports and highlights post-game on NMFC.com.au.

Summary

Werribee snapped its seven-game losing streak last week, and now its finals chances are still alive.

Although the Tigers are two games behind eighth-placed Essendon, they have one game in hand. Win that and John Lamont’s team will only be one behind with four matches to play.

First though, Werribee must defeat the Northern Blues, another side looking to make a late charge into finals contention. Sunday’s match is all but a mini-elimination final, televised live on Channel 7 in Victoria.

Teams

Werribee

B: Tippett, Hansen, Petterwood
HB: Hibberd, Nielson, Mountford
C: Fordham, Hanson, Maishman
HF: Sodomaco, Durdin, Wagner
F: Nahas, Porter, McKay
Fol: Daw, Gribble, Vickers-Willis
Int From: Munro, Brett, Iles, McFarlane, Meredith, Preuss, Barrack, Jones, Corbett

Northern Blues

B: Dick, Foster, Russell
HB: Gowers, Jaksch, Glass-McCasket
C: Tutt, Wilson, Viojo
HF: Lamb, Jones, Kerbatieh
F: Smith, McKay, Totevski
R: Wood, Whiley, Cuningham
Int From: Gorringe, Strachan, Korcheck, Jones, Jordan, Barrett, Aujla, Ballard, Declase


Mitch Hibberd makes his return from injury for Werribee this week

The coach said

“You lose seven in a row, it’s folly to be talking about finals. All you’re worried about is having a good training night and then you get that out of the way and hopefully have another one. Just building on that and taking it into games, that’s all we’re looking at.” – John Lamont to Wyndham Leader

The AFL contingent

North Melbourne (Werribee)

For Ben McKay, it could be the first time he plays against his brother Harry.

The Roo has been improving with each week for Werribee, showing the marking power and presence which led to him being North’s first National Draft selection in 2015.

Elsewhere, Majak Daw, Mitch Hibberd, Ed Vickers-Willis and Lachlan Hansen all come in to strengthen the Tigers’ outfit.

The VFL contingent

Werribee

A regular feature in this section, Matt Hanson is going from strength to strength with his form playing through the midfield.

Last week against North Ballarat, Hanson had a monster outing – 32 disposals, nine tackles and three goals.


Ben McKay could play against his brother Harry