Bees do it

by AJ BRADY

IN round six action in the VFL the 3SER 97.7FM Casey Radio team saw Werribee post a hard-fought 15-point victory over an unlucky Port Melbourne in Werribee, on Saturday.

The 'Bees and Port Melbourne had endured some close matches in recent times, with the last meeting between the two sides, in mid-2007 at Bartercard Oval, seeing Werribee scrape home by just nine points.

With no AFL action on during the day, the weekend of matches, billed as the "Community Football Weekend" saw a fairly small crowd in attendance, numbering around 1500.

Before the match, the umpires of the reserves game, and a designated best player from both Port Melbourne and Werribee reserves received a commemorative medallion, celebrating 150 years of Australian rules football; the Borough winning the reserves fairly comfortably.

The weather was reasonably overcast and cool, but there were no showers about, and the breeze, while evident, wasn't too much more than a zephyr.

After Port Melbourne had comfortably accounted for Frankston the previous week, the Borough were firmly cemented in the eight, in fifth position overall with a three-two win-loss record; while Werribee had regained some momentum in recent weeks after a poor start to the season and were one game outside the eight with a two-three win-loss record.

Casey Radio's Phil Pearce was right on hand to witness the coin toss, won by Werribee captain James Podsiadly, who elected to kick to the Watton Street end, which was being favoured by the slight wind, worth approximately one-to-two goals.

Port Melbourne's more experienced ruckman in David Fanning (12 hit-outs) was winning first usage for the Borough early doors but the Werribee midfielders seemed to have no trouble gaining the clearances, with such players as demoted Roo Jess Sinclair (seven disposals) and Dominic Gleeson (10 disposals) doing the damage early.

The Tigers also got great run off half-back through Teghan Henderson (seven disposals) and Robert Castello (seven), as Werribee played a fast, attacking brand of football, taking advantage of the wind behind their backs, and a strong forward line, led by Ben Warren on the forward flank, and captain Podsiadly at full forward.

For the Borough, their best first quarter performer for the second week in a row was rock-solid utility Matthew Smith, who gathered nine disposals following the play around for most of the quarter.

He was well supported by the burrowing David Spriggs (eight disposals) and half-back John Baird (seven disposals), who is staking a claim not only for state representation on 31 July against South Australia, but also for captaincy of Victoria.

The 'Bees also suffered a bad injury in the first term, when young midfielder Ben Ross was heavily concussed, and was taken from the field on a stretcher.

By quarter time, Werribee had shot out to a 25-point lead, and whilst they did have the wind advantage in the first term, such was their dominance in general play, it seemed like it was going to be one-way traffic for most of the afternoon.

Sensing this, Borough coach Gary Ayres was particularly animated at the quarter time break, telling his troops to remain accountable, and take advantage of Fanning winning in ruck.

Ayres also wanted his midfielders to work harder to win the contested ball, and not be so intent on running on the outside of packs, looking for easy possessions.

The second term was a bit of a see-sawing affair, each time the Borough attacked, the 'Bees would repel, which wasn't good for the Borough, as they couldn't seem to make much headway on the overall margin.

Spriggs continued to be industrious at the stoppages, gathering another six disposals for the term, whilst Luke Livingston (seven disposals) and captain Luke Cotchett (six) launched some meaningful attacks off the half-back flank.

Winger Cory McGrath was also starting to have an impact for Port Melbourne, he gathered seven disposals for the term and provided three forward 50 entries in a positive display from the former Bomber and Blue.

Werribee went into half-time maintaining a 29-point lead after a strong display against the breeze.

For Werribee, Sinclair (six disposals) continued to provide a lot of run through the midfield, whilst Ben Davies (seven disposals) and Scott McMahon (eight disposals) were particularly productive forward-of-centre, helping Werribee maintain their four-goal buffer from the first quarter.

At half time, Casey Radio was privileged to have AFL Victoria Football Operations Manager John Hook as our special guest.

Hook spoke at length with Casey Radio commentators Phil Cleary and Chris Weaver regarding the poor state of the AFL Victoria website, the name change from the Victorian Football Association (VFA) to the VFL in 1995 and how it hasn't really improved the competition, crowds at VFL games and how they could be improved, payments to players and trying to lure top-class talent from interstate, and the lack of promotion of the VFL in the mass media in Victoria.

It was a sensational grilling of one of the head honchos of AFL Victoria, but Hook's candor, openness and honesty was refreshing, and the plans for the future of the VFL seem promising.

After such a lengthy half time interview, the Casey Radio almost went into the third quarter, but thankfully the team pulled back on-air just in time to witness another topsy-turvy contest for the term.

Each time Port Melbourne appeared threatening, Werribee would get a quick, steadying goal or two, just for some added breathing space.

Port Melbourne ended up putting on five goals against the breeze in the third term, and while they didn't make much headway into the overall margin, still trailing by 22 points at three-quarter time, the signs were there for a possible fightback in the last quarter.

The Borough were getting good drive out of the stoppages through the ever-reliable David Robbins (six disposals) and Matthew Pearce (six), while David Pitt was working hard across half forward to provide a target, gathering eight disposals for the term.

Werribee were somewhat wasteful in front of goal, kicking 3.5 for the third term, with full forward Podsiadly and half-forward Warren being major offenders.

Warren gathered six disposals for the quarter, but many of his shots-on-goal were from far out and on angles, which made things tougher.

Matt Riggio, another Roos-listed player, was providing much run through the middle, and ended up gathering eight disposals for the term, while Henderson again provided a lot of attack from half-back, gathering six possessions for the third quarter.

At the final change, Werribee coach Simon Atkins was pretty cool, calm and collected, telling his players to continue going through the processes they'd discussed pre-match, try and isolate the taller forwards of Werribee deep in attack, and then push the rest up into the midfield and defence to try and thwart any Port Melbourne attacks with the breeze, in the final term.

The final term ended up an enthralling affair, with the Borough attacking early, and getting within eight points of Werribee, before the 'Bees managed to pull away late, and despite another term of wayward kicking, Werribee ended up winning by 15 points, 16.19 (115) to Port's 15.10 (100).

Werribee were well served in the second-half by young ruckman Todd Goldstein, who won 17 second-half hit-outs, and their most productive performers in the final term included Sinclair (six disposals), Davies (six) roaming up forward, Riggio (eight) providing more run and penetration through the midfield, and Castello (nine disposals), who also gained three clearances for the term.

For the beaten Borough, their final-term assault was launched from a brave effort from nuggetty midfielder Robbins (12 disposals), whilst Smith (eight disposals) also worked hard across half-forward, and Baird (seven disposals) was also productive providing a lot of attacking flair through the middle.

Following the game, Werribee coach Simon Atkins told Casey Radio's Pearce that they always knew Port Melbourne were going to be a difficult opponent, particularly with the strong, attacking form they'd been in lately, and the Tigers had identified shutting down tall Borough forward Adrian Bonaddio and Dylan McLaren as keys to winning the match, both of which they seemed to do well.

Atkins was slightly disappointed with the team's inaccuracy in front of goal, but was happy how his charges responded in the last term when Port Melbourne really challenged with the breeze behind their backs.

Better players for the victorious Werribee outfit included: Davies, who roamed on the right forward-flank for most of the day, picking up 21 disposals and six marks in a strong all-around effort that saw him awarded a special commemorative "150 Years of Australian Football" medallion after the game; Riggio, whose blistering runs through the midfield were the catalyst for many of Werribee's goals, particularly in the second half, where Riggio gathered 16 of his 26 possessions for the game, and four clearances. He also had five forward-50 entries in a sterling all-round game that ensured he got a call-up to the North Melbourne AFL team this weekend; Josh Gibson, who did a sensational stopping job deep in defence, rendering Port big man Bonaddio almost useless, after Bonaddio had dominated the previous week against Frankston, he struggled against Werribee to have any impact, with Gibson's nous and experience telling in many one-on-one contests. The Borough big man finished with just one goal in a particularly quiet game, all thanks to Gibson's stopping job; Warren, the bleach-blonde half-forward was productive all day, taking 12 marks in total, eight of which were contested, finishing with 19 disposals and two goals in an excellent effort that helped the 'Bees have a genuine half-forward target, working in tandem with Davies on the other side of the flank; Castello, who worked hard at the stoppages and through the midfield, gathering 24 disposals, many of which were contested, and five clearances in a terrific effort from the veteran Tiger, generally playing backwards-of-centre, and rebounding well for the Tigers, he gathered five rebound-50s as well as his clearances; and, Michael Rockefeller, who took nine marks and gathered 17 disposals playing deep in the forward line, he also finished with three goals in a fine all-round effort from the young 20 year-old from Geelong College.

For the beaten Borough side, their best for the day included: tough in-and-under midfielder Spriggs, who finished the day with 24 possessions and four clearances in a typically strong performance from the team vice-captain; Baird, who did his chances of gaining state selection no harm with another sterling performance that earned the praise of Casey Radio's Cleary, gathering 23 disposals and eight marks in a sensational job off half-back, he also launched four rebound-50s in a sterling defensive game; Pitt, who continued his great form form from last week, gather 21 disposals and taking 10 marks and relishing his new role under new coach Ayres, of spending time at both ends of the ground, rather than being rooted deep in the forward line, as he had been for most of his career; Livingston, who, like Baird, was another prolific defender, gathering 19 disposals and taking eight marks in a tough role deep in defence, Livingston also launched five rebound-50s in a terrific effort from the former Blue; Smith, who again produced an astonishing workrate, like Pitt working at both ends of the ground, and finishing with 24 disposals and 14 marks in another superb effort from the former Adelaide Crow; and, Robbins, the dual Liston medallist again led from the front, gathering a team-high 27 possessions, and coming back from a quiet first half, to end up with five clearances in another top effort from the little hard nut.

Next weekend for these two teams sees both play in Sunday games; Werribee must make the long trek down the Nepean Highway to Frankston in what would be seen as a danger-game for the 'Bees, with Frankston able to match it with most teams on their day. However, the 'Bees should start slight favorites in that match.

The Borough next face Box Hill, also away and again in what must be termed a "danger-game". While Box Hill still remain winless, they produced some of their best form last weekend, in just going down to reigning premier, Geelong.

In other Round six games in the VFL, in the ABC TV match from Coburg, the VFL's other Tigers managed to easily account for Collingwood by 53 points. Veteran Richmond player Greg Tivendale was voted best for Coburg, while 2007 father-son recruit Jaxson Barham was voted best for the Magpies.

In Ballarat, the North Ballarat Roosters ran out easy 49-point winners over Tasmania. For the Roosters, ruckman Orren Stephenson was voted their best, whilst Alexander Gilmour was voted best for Tasmania.

At Box Hill City Oval, Box Hill ran Geelong all the way, before the Cats prevailed by 14 points. Best for the Cats was Travis Varcoe, while for the Hawks, their best was prodigal son Stephen Kenna.

In a Saturday night fixture at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo, Frankston stormed home after being 40 points down at the half, only to fall short against the Bombers by three points. Dropped Essendon ruckman Jason Laycock was voted best for Bendigo,Frankston's best was talented utility Marcus Marigliani.

In Sunday action, and at Burbank Oval, in a day of free entry, the home side, Williamstown, easily accounted for Sandringham by 64 points in a stellar day for the Seagulls, before a big crowd. Former Bomber Ben Jolley was voted best for the Seagulls, the best for the Zebras was "The Axeman" Andy Biddlecombe.

In the final game for the round at Casey Fields, the Scorpions smashed the Northern Bullants by 118 points. Best for the Scorpions was Matthew Ferguson, who booted seven goals up forward, for the beaten and disgraced Bullants, their best was Mark Austin.

At the completion of round six, the VFL ladder sees North Ballarat remain on top with 20 points, above Williamstown (20 points) by less than a half-percent now, then comes Casey Scorpions (16 points), Geelong (16), Sandringham (12), Coburg (12), Port Melbourne (12) and Tasmania (12) rounds out the top eight.

Outside on percentage are Werribee (12) and Northern Bullants (12), then comes Frankston (eight), Bendigo (eight), Collingwood (eight) and Box Hill remain on the bottom without a win in 2008.

This weekend sees the 3SER Casey Radio 97.7FM team travel just down the street from our studios, to Casey Fields in Cranbourne on Saturday, for the clash between the Casey Scorpions and Collingwood in what could be another "Casey Fields Massacre". Coverage starts at 12.30pm.

Then on Sunday, the team don't travel too much farther, taking the short drive down to Kars Street Oval in Frankston, to see the Dolphins play Werribee in what should be an interesting tussle, with both sides looking to break into the lower reaches of the Top 8.

Join the team of Kain Pollard, Chris Weaver, Tristan Foenander, Simon Petch, Phil Cleary, Peter Banfield, Phil Pearce and myself in the stats chair on 97.7FM radio in Melbourne, or via the web on www.3ser.org.au anywhere else on the planet (click on the "Listen Live" link) and we'll ensure you get your VFL fix.

16 May 2008

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