"I haven’t been playing that well this year so it’s good to have a good game and hopefully if I have a few more, I won’t be too far away from getting back into the senior side,” he told kangaroos.com.au in the rooms after the match.
Despite shortened quarters (17 minutes plus time-on), the gritty midfielder was understandably happy after his solid effort at Etihad Stadium which included 23 touches and three goals.
“I don’t normally get that many shots on goal but this week I was just fortunate to push forward and the boys gave me the pill when I was in space in front of goals and I got a couple of shots including a few easy ones.”
Greenwood acknowledges his slow start to 2012 hasn’t been great, but says he's purely focused on getting back into the Kangaroos’ side in the coming weeks.
“I think everyone goes through form slumps. I’ve just been a bit off the pace but these past two weeks have allowed me to put some runs on the board.”
And he says he's not the only one likely to be in contention soon.
“Most of the boys, especially after today, could all put their hand up and get a call up next week into the senior team. The boys have to perform in the AFL otherwise there are other guys coming from behind.”
Sam Gibson is one of those players knocking the door down for a call-up and debut. After a good performance last week against his old side Box Hill, the mature age rookie collected 22 disposals and a goal.
“There are boys coming up and Sam Gibson’s played really well for a couple of weeks, Peddo’s (Cam Pedersen - 12 disposals, one goal) playing really good footy at both ends of the ground and Lynchy’s (Malcolm Lynch - 11 disposals, two goals) another one that could easily take the step up to the senior team,” Greenwood added.
“Everyone was involved, kicking goals from the midfield and running around really well so it holds us in good stead.
“It’s a really good win not unlike the seniors had against GWS last week. It means everyone is playing with confidence. It gets your tail up and gives you a lot of drive heading into next week.”
Ben Warren has continued his remarkable start to the year and registered his second five-goal haul for the season as well as 14 touches and six marks.
“Milky’s (Warren’s) in really good form. He’s probably in the best form I’ve seen him in since he’s been at North Melbourne,” Greenwood commented.
While Greenwood and Warren did their best to steal the spotlight, all eyes were on Nathan Grima’s highly anticipated return after knee trouble in the pre-season.
“It’s been a long road back for Narny (Grima),” Greenwood said.
“Hopefully he’s not too far off playing AFL either. He was moving pretty well out there so it was probably good for him that is wasn’t quite as physical as our last two games and he was able to ease back into it. It looks like he’s pulled up pretty well and got through.”
Grima (seven disposals) linked up with Brad Mangan (seven disposals) in defence and didn’t have too much to worry about with the Dockers kicking just five goals for the afternoon.
At the other end of the ground it was a much different story with the Tigers kicking goals from everywhere. The best of the day coming from Majak Daw (eight disposals, three goals) after a free kick in the centre.
The exciting rookie played on around the man on the mark, and took on the Dockers’ single-handedly, had two bounces and kicked true inside the 50-metre arc showing amazing pace for a big man.
“Just after half time I went up to Maj and told him to take hold of his opposition because he looked stuffed and tired,” Greenwood revealed.
“I said he could run him ragged and use some aggression like he did last week and he did…he jumped in hard and took them on and backed himself in the end which was good. When he’s got his confidence up, he’s hard to stop Majak.”
The visitors also struggled to contain Ben Speight who had 18 disposals and three goals and used his pace throughout the match with great affect.
While he didn’t have a great day in front of the goals with three behinds, Robbie Tarrant must be commended for the amount of majors he set up for his team-mates. The key position player collected 14 touches and nine marks, and was actively involved in several superb plays which all ended in goals.
Lachlan Hansen benefitted from some of Tarrant’s good work, but also worked hard to create for himself in the forward line and finished the day with 15 disposals, eight marks and a goal.
Will Sierakowski provided plenty of run for the Tigers and racked up 16 possessions while Ben McKinley was also lively with 11 touches and three goals.
Werribee Tigers 26.9.165
Burnie Dockers 5.2.37
