A poor last quarter from the Werribee Tigers cost them a chance to get back on track as they went down to Casey Scorpions by 50-points at Casey Fields on Saturday.
After being behind at each break, the Tigers were determined to fight back but could one manage one last quarter goal and six behinds.
Some sloppy play and costly turnovers allowed the Scorpions to kick themselves away, something that disappointed Tigers coach Simon Atkins.
“We got over run in the last quarter and I don’t know if we were overwhelmed, but they got a run on,” Atkins said.
“That’s the real disappointing part of the game, we gave ourselves a real chance and they kicked eight unanswered goals.”
After not adhering to their structures in recent weeks, Atkins thought his charges did a better job against the Scorpions.
“I thought we worked hard and played our game structures, but when we wanted to challenge them we simply didn’t answer it,” he said.
Michael Barlow continued his amazing purple patch of form, again accumulating over 30 disposals (34) in a best on ground performance.
Tigers skipper Dominic Gleeson (3 tackles, 2 blocks, 1 spoil) was again super in the midfield, applying plenty of pressure and run but it couldn’t get his team a win.
Best for the Scorpions was defender Alex Silvagni, who helped to nullify an always dangerous Werribee forward line including Marty Pask who could only manage one goal.
North Melbourne listed ruckman Todd Goldstein returned to the VFL following a stint with North Melbourne and proved his versatility as he racked up 24 hit outs to go with a handy two goals.
Atkins believes that Goldstein should be able to go forward and combine with his ruck duties.
“That’s where Goldy’s footy is at, he should be to go forward and do that,” he said.
Goldstein’s two goals were the most of any Tigers players, as no other player managed to kick multiple goals.
Brant Dickson (6 hit-outs) and Alan Obst (6 hit-outs) shared the ruck load with Goldstein and were serviceable throughout the game.
The Werribee Reserves couldn’t get back on board with a win, losing by 47 points 10.8.68 to 16.19.115
In a closely contested first half, the Tigers got plenty of the ball and played some attacking football but struggled to apply effective scoreboard pressure.
Casey simply ran over the top in the last quarter and took advantage of some costly midfield turnovers.
Steve Kennedy relished his return to the reserves racking up 33 midfield disposals in a best on ground performance, while North Melbourne listed Leigh Adams (29 disposals, 2 goals) was also impressive.
Robbie Tarrant kicked three goals in his return from injury and took some good marks to suggest that he will play some senior football soon.
The Tigers play Collingwood at Chirnside Park on Saturday and action gets underway at 1.10pm
2009 VFL Seniors
Casey Scorpions 4.4 8.11 10.13 17.18 (120)
Werribee Tigers 2.4 6.7 8.10 9.16 (70)
GOALS:
Casey Scorpions: JETTA 4 Jurrah 4 Miller 3 Dowse Petterd Newton Wheatley Silvagni Dunn
Werribee Tigers: Goldstein 2 Baddeley Denton Obst Pask Howard Speight Barlow
BEST:
Casey Scorpions: Silvagni Miller MacReadie Bartram Wall McKenzie
Werribee Tigers: Barlow Black Pask Goldstein Martiniello Gleeson
REPORTED PLAYERS:
Casey Scorpions: Nill
Werribee Tigers: M Riggio (31) Werribee striking L Dunn Casey Scorpions
2009 VFL Reserves
Casey Scorpions 3.5 10.13 13.17 16.19 (115)
Werribee Tigers 3.2 5.5 9.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS:
Casey Scorpions: Zomer 3 Scanlon 3 Waite 2 Bolton 2 Creed McLeod Clay Costigan Chivers Hillberge
Werribee Tigers: Tarrant 3 Adams 2 Banjanin Palmer Robbins O'Keefe Kennedy
BEST:
Casey Scorpions: Taylor Creed Lees Collins Scanlon Bolton
Werribee Tigers: Kennedy Adams Magnabosco Robbins Kovacevic Lawson
