Match result: Williamstown 9.20 (74) defeated Werribee 9.11.65
Venue: Burbank Oval, Williamstown
Conditions: Really bloody cold and windy.

In action
- Robbie Tarrant (12 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal)
- Ben Brown  (15 disposals, 2 goals, 6 marks)
- Taylor Hine (16 disposals)
- Kayne Turner (11 disposals, 4 tackles)
- Kieran Harper (16 disposals, 5 tackles)
- Tim McGenniss (10 disposals, 7 tackles)
- Dan Currie (13 disposals, 29 hit-outs)
- Jarred ‘Bulldog’ Moore (14 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 hit-out)
- Scott McMahon (DNP – virus)

NMFC.com.au’s best: Ben Brown, Tim McGenniss, Taylor Hine

Story of the game
As expected, cold and windy conditions greeted the Tigers at Burbank Oval and it made for a tight and scrappy affair. Although playing away, Werribee looked right at home from the outset and created a real arm-wrestle in the early stages.

With grit and determination, John Lamont’s men battled hard and stole the lead at stages but couldn’t go the distance. Some stagnant ball movement hampered their ability to score and get the ball forward quick enough to expose the opposition defence. When the Tigers attacked the corridor, they looked dangerous and gave their forwards the chance to compete one-on-one.

Williamstown was incredibly inaccurate, but still managed to steal the match away in the final term and did enough to thwart a late Tiger comeback

What the coach said

Three-quarter time – John Lamont
"Remember pressure creates opportunities. The equation is simple…because we’re in front…Stay there! Just stay there! Just stay there!...Be brave with the footy and just shut them down when they’ve got it."

Points of interest
1. In his third game back, Ben Brown showed plenty. He’s now progressed to full game-time despite coming off an interrupted pre-season and knee injury.

“He’s really hitting his straps and although the way the game was played didn’t suit the talls, he still had a big impact. He jumped well at the ball and took some nice contested marks, but also kept the ball in front of him and gave the crumbers an opportunity to score.” – Development Manager Ben Dyer

2. Robbie Tarrant played his first game of the year and got through unscathed. Recovering from a frustrating lower leg issue, the forward to a quarter to get into the game but finished with some encouraging stats.

“Robbie’s work-rate was first class and he showed his trademark hard running throughout the afternoon. He played about 70 per cent of the game and pulled up well which was most important.” – Ben Dyer.

PRESS PLAY above to watch vision from Tarrant's return | YouTube

3. Taylor Hine was one of Werribee’s best playing off half-back and looked comfortable with the ball in hand.

“I was really impressed with him. He was never rushed and showed a lot of composure. He used the ball really well and also made a lot of interceptions and read the play extremely well.” – Ben Dyer

4. Senior coach John Lamont’s rev-up speeches at quarter time and three-quarter time are becoming legendary. The former North development coach uses a mixture of emotions to get his players’ attention and will occasionally lash out with an almighty spray, when it’s least expected.

5. Tagged heavily and down on his average disposal output, Tigers’ captain Jarred ‘Bulldog’ Moore was forced to find other ways to contribute.

“Remarkably, Bulldog notched up his second career hit-out. No one saw that coming.” – Ben Dyer

Most likely call-up: Ben Brown
Next week: Vs Essendon. Sunday 15^th June. Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee