With its season on the line, Werribee travels to Geelong in what is nothing short of a must-win match on Saturday afternoon.
Who: Geelong v Werribee
Where and when: Simonds Stadium, 12:00pm EST
Tickets: Available at gate - Adults $10, Members/Concession $5, Children under 15 free
Coverage: NMFC on Twitter | Werribee FC on Twitter | Match reports and highlights post-game on NMFC.com.au.
There will also be a live stream of the match on VFL.com.au.
Summary
After starting the season promisingly, Werribee has lost its last six matches to fall outside the eight.
A combination of injuries, unavailability and close losses means the Tigers sit two games outside finals contention at the start of Round 15.
With only six matches remaining after this Saturday’s clash in Geelong, the margin for error is now minimal at best.
However, considering Geelong is one of the sides also in the race for the eight – currently two games ahead of Werribee – the road back to finals would become a lot clearer with a win at Simonds Stadium.
Teams
Geelong
B: Gardner, Stewart, Bews
HB: Menegola, Delaney, Selwood
C: Lang, Tsitas, Horlin-Smith
HF: Buzza, Edwards, Cornell
F: Parsons, Vardy, Clark
R: Lucey, Gregson, Luxford
Int From: Sexton, McLachlan, Atkins, Dobson, Hickey, Hayball, House, Haints, Spiteri
Werribee
B: Tippett, Hansen, Wilson
HB: Sherlock, Meredith, Speight
C: McFarlane, Conway, Fordham
HF: Turner, Porter, Mountford
F: Nahas, McKay, Hanson
R: Daw, Gribble, Aylett
Int From: Munro, Jones, Nielson, Durdin, Preuss, Petterwood, Dumont, Vickers-Willis, Blair
Majak Daw will take his place in the Werribee line-up on Saturday
The coach said
“It’s a bit of a local derby and it’s a critically important game for us.
“We’ve lost six in a row … not a great feeling, but the morale of the playing group has been terrific.
“It would be great for them (the Tigers) to get back on the winners’ list and sing the song.” – John Lamont to Star Weekly
The AFL contingent
North Melbourne (Werribee)
Majak Daw has overcome the ankle injury suffered against Port Melbourne to be named in the Werribee side.
Although Mitch Hibberd is an out with injury, the Tigers are bolstered by the returns of Trent Dumont, Lachlan Hansen, Robbie Nahas, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.
Ed Vickers-Willis, edging ever closer to an AFL debut, will again be important for the Werribee defensive unit if he isn’t the designated game day emergency for the Kangaroos.
Geelong
The Cats have been strengthened by returning AFL players, with Mitch Clark and Darcy Lang playing for the VFL outfit on Saturday.
Former Roo Cam Delaney will return from injury, while Shane Kersten, Josh Cowan and Rhys Stanley have been called up to the AFL side.
The VFL contingent
Werribee
Considering the strength of Geelong’s forward options, Jake Wilson will be relied upon in Werribee’s backline. The 193 centimetre full back has been a constant in the defensive setup all season.
At the other end of the ground, Josh Porter has been showing promising signs as a marking forward target. The 22-year-old was Werribee’s only multiple goal kicker last week against Port Melbourne.
