In the last season of the North Melbourne and Werribee alignment, the Tigers have risen to the doorstep of the top four approaching the half-way mark.
A host of North-listed players have provided the impetus for Werribee’s current five-game winning streak.
An excellent first fortnight from Ryan Clarke was rewarded with consistent AFL selection ever since.
After 53 disposals and six goals in the first two weeks, Clarke was promoted to the North line up and hasn’t looked back, playing each of the last five games at AFL level.
On the other side of the equation, the AFL experience Braydon Preuss earned early in the season has helped him dominate the ruck back at VFL level.
Tasked with the lion’s share of the ruck responsibilities, the ruckman has been terrific in the contest, averaging a whopping 49 hit-outs per match in his five VFL outings.
Rookie-listed Will Fordham has played each of the seven games, averaging 20 disposals, chipping in on the scoreboard with handy goals and providing plenty of run and carry through the midfield.
A host of youngsters have settled into VFL level well, with Nick Larkey and Josh Williams excelling from the 2016 draft crop.
Larkey has kicked 11 goals in his seven matches, while Williams’ form over the last month was impressive enough to be named as an emergency for North’s Round 11 clash against Richmond.
After being omitted from the AFL side, former captain Andrew Swallow responded to the demotion with excellent form for Werribee.
In his three games for the Tigers, Swallow has averaged 31 disposals and proved crucial in wins against Collingwood and Richmond.
Elsewhere in the midfield, Declan Mountford has been a tackling machine, averaging seven a game to go with 21 disposals.
Individual highlights
Round 1 v Geelong
Ed Vickers-Willis: 31 disposals, 5 marks
Ryan Clarke: 27 disposals, 4 goals
Round 2 v Footscray
Ryan Clarke: 26 disposals, 2 goals
Round 3 v Essendon
Mitch Hibberd: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal
Andrew Swallow: 25 disposals, 12 tackles
Lindsay Thomas: 4 goals, 15 disposals
Round 4 v Casey
Braydon Preuss: 71 hit-outs
Nick Larkey: 4 goals
Round 5 v Collingwood
Andrew Swallow: 31 disposals, 8 tackles
Round 6 v North Ballarat
Ben Jacobs: 43 disposals
Round 7 v Richmond
Andrew Swallow: 36 disposals, 9 tackles
Mitch Hibberd: 25 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal
Coming up
Werribee takes on the second-placed Northern Blues in Round 9 of VFL action. It’s third versus sixth in a game that could have huge repercussions come finals time.
The Tigers defeated the Blues in a practice match only a couple of weeks ago and will be hoping to continue that good form.
After a big Round 10 clash against fifth-placed Footscray, Werribee has several very winnable games against sides currently below it on the VFL ladder; Sandringham (ninth), Coburg (13th) and Richmond (10th).
Those games could prove season-defining, with matches against Box Hill (first) and Port Melbourne (fourth) straight after.
The Tigers close the season against a Casey, a side they had a fiery clash with back in Round 4.
