Werribee suffered its sixth loss of the year in Round 17 going down at Box Hill by seven points in the annual contest for the Beyond Blue Cup.

Despite the loss Werribee remains inside the top eight with the team to have its final bye this week before the last four home and away games of the season. 

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 3.4 4.5 9.9 11.14 (80)
Box Hill: 2.1 4.10 6.11 12.15 (87)

GOALS
Werribee: O. Hanrahan 4, N. Hayes 2, D. Brew, D. Cassar, S. Mannagh, J. Porter, M. Sodomaco.
Box Hill: F. Greene 6, L. Shiels 2, B. Cavarra, J. Parsons, J. Serong, J. Thorpe.

BEST
Werribee: O. Hanrahan, K. Declase, L. Pinnuck, N Coughlan, L. Rocci, T. McCaffrey
Box Hill:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Michael Sodomaco was a late change for Bior Malul and it was the game day inclusion that would kick Werribee’s first goal of the game, doing so from inside the centre square with the former captain’s long range effort bouncing through after just two minutes of play. Werribee added a second courtesy of strong mark and 50 metre penalty to Nick Hayes before Shaun Mannagh pushed Werribee’s advantage to 14 points, 20 minutes in after winning a free kick in the pocket and goaling with a classy snap. Noah Gribble had a busy first term with nine disposals, while a team high 21 intercept possessions and seven spoils saw the Big W end the quarter with a nine-point lead.

With the breeze favouring the pavilion end of the ground the Hawks took control of the contest in the second term. After an early goal to the hosts, Werribee was able to limit the damage for the next 10 minutes, but after 12 minutes a second Box Hill major completed the first lead change of the day. Josh Porter reduced the margin to two points at the 21-minute mark, kicking truly following a spearing pass from Tom McCaffrey, who impressed on the wing in his fourth game of the season. Fellow wingman Kye Declase also found plenty of ball in the term, while down back Lucas Rocci limited the impact of the dangerous Ben Cavarra. Werribee trailed by five points at the main break after Box Hill added three late behinds.

The home team were again first on the board when the second half got underway, but the Big W’s response came swift thanks to former Hawk Ollie Hanrahan who booted back-to-back goals to give Werribee back the lead after seven minutes. Hanrahan first pounced on a loose ball at top of the 50 and nailed the goal across his body before getting on the end of Matt Hanson’s next centre clearance and converting from outside 50. Midway through the term Hayes and Darcy Cassar helped stretch Werribee’s lead further, with Cassar’s first VFL goal giving the Big W a 16-point buffer at the 20-minute mark. The margin would remain 16 points at the end of the third as a late Dom Brew goal cancelled out Box Hill’s second major of the quarter.

Werribee failed to extend its advantage early in the final quarter but after three straight misses, two of those by Hanrahan, the number two made no mistake with his next attempt goaling from 45 metres to have the Big W out by 25 points eight minutes into the term. Box Hill hit back with two goals and when Hanrahan bagged his fourth of the afternoon with a kick out of mid-air Werribee’s lead was 20 points with just 13 minutes to play. However, the Hawks would have the final seven scoring shots of the day as Werribee struggled to get its hands on the ball in the later stages of the game. The hosts went ahead at the 29-minute mark and then a minute later Werribee needed two goals to achieve victory which ultimately proved too much to overcome in the final three minutes.

KEY PLAYERS
Kye Declase: 27 disposals (17 K), 8 marks (2 CM), 4 I50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles. 
Ollie Hanrahan: 24 disposals (16 K), 6 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 4 goals.
Lou Pinnuck: 23 disposals (18 K), 7 marks, 10 intercept possessions, 4 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s.
Tom McCaffrey: 20 disposals (13 K), 4 marks, 11 handball receives, 3 score involvements, 3 tackles. 
Dom Brew: 19 disposals (12 K), 12 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 8 score involvements, 8 tackles, 1 goal. 
Nick Coughlan: 18 disposals (16 K) at 88% efficiency, 6 marks (3 CM, 5 IM), 10 rebound 50s, 2 tackles.
Nick Hayes: 15 disposals (13 K), 9 marks (5 CM), 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.

VIEW ROUND 17 IMAGE GALLERY

Several players continue to push their case for VFL selection with strong displays at local level. See who all the top performers were and who enjoyed wins with their community clubs last weekend. 

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Saad El-Hawli – Altona

Among the top players for an undermanned Vikings who inflicted Caroline Spring’s first loss of the season. Again, had plenty of responsibility down back and bounced back well from some first half errors to play a crucial role when the game was in the balance. Had 28 disposals and four tackles.  

Akol Deng – Yarraville Seddon

Had a good day in an eight-point win over Point Cook. Finished with 44 hit-outs and 16 disposals while providing some excellent contests up forward, two of which resulted in goals and helped swing the momentum of the game.

Lochie Smart – Deer Park

Played as a permanent forward and had no problems getting shots on goal. Missed a few gettable chances but finished with two majors and 16 disposals along with three tackles as the Lions defeated Hopper Crossing by 31 points.

Harrison White- Werribee Districts (Local Player of the Week)

Best on ground in a losing effort versus Spotswood. With several key midfielders missing moved inside and impressed, reading the ball well off hands at stoppages while providing penetration from the contest. Tallied 24 disposals, six clearances, 10 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s and four tackles.

Connor Thar – Werribee Districts

Had his day end early after getting some pain in his ankle in the opening exchanges against the Woodsmen.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Clohesy – St Joseph’s

Worked hard up and down the ground all game and was strong in the air in a 50-point victory over North Shore. Collected 17 disposals and kicked a goal in win number eight for the Joeys.

Sam Witherden – North Shore

Found a lot of the ball in the loss to St Joseph’s. Was one of his team’s best with a consistent four quarter showing that culminated in 28 disposals along with nine clearances and eight inside 50s.

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West

Again played above the level to be amongst the best players for the Giants in their loss to Grovedale. Impacted the game well gathering 21 disposals and four tackles.

Matt Keast – St Mary’s

Played a negating role on former AFL player Darcy Lang and limited his influence to help the Saints overcome a higher placed Colac side by two goals. Was disciplined with his task but also impacted the game offensively using his 20 disposals well.   

Joe Maishman – St Mary’s

Copped a knock to the hip early and was limited for the remainder of the game against the Tigers.

Toby Mahoney – Bell Park

Worked his way into the match after a slow start and was a solid contributor in the second half finishing the day with 17 disposals and five tackles as the Dragons topped St Albans by 70 points.

Gennaro Bove – Newtown & Chilwell

Played his role in a crucial five-point triumph over Leopold. Kicked a goal from his 12 possessions and pressured the opposition with five tackles.

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Daniel Sharrock – Wangaratta Magpies

Won a lot of the ball in a big win over Corowa-Rutherglen. Collected 30 disposals at 86% efficiency with some great entries inside 50. Also laid eight tackles in the 117-point triumph.  

BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Brady Rowles – Eaglehawk

Embraced a move from the wing into the midfield and was a strong contributor with 23 disposals, seven marks and goal as the Two Blues enjoyed an impressive win against Kangaroo Flat.

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ariek Lual – Melton Centrals

Featured prominently in a 73-point win over Lancefield. Kicked a goal and was named in the top two players for Blues for the third straight match.  

After two home games Werribee is back on the road in Round 17 facing Box Hill on Saturday in the annual contest for the Beyond Blue Cup.

After collected an eighth win of the campaign Werribee has moved ahead of Box Hill on the ladder for the first time this season with the Big W currently occupying sixth spot with five games to play.

Box Hill (7-6) will be out to get their season back on track having fallen to ninth following three straight losses - the latest to Southport, and no doubt will prove a tough task at home.

Werribee members are entitled to half-price entry at away games so be sure to present your 2022 membership at the gate, otherwise tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for valid concessions, with kids under 15 free.

Patrons can enter via the main gate on Whitehorse Road or at the rear of the venue off Bolton Street.

Visit match centre on afl.com.au.

ROUND 17
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday July 16, 2.05pm
Box Hill City Oval

Werribee recorded its fourth straight home win and eighth victory of the season by defeating Coburg by 62 points.

The Round 16 win was set up on the back of a big first quarter with the result helping to move Werribee into sixth spot on the ladder after 13 games.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 6.5 9.9 13.16 15.21 (111)
Coburg: 0.1 2.3 4.3 7.7 (49)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 3, K. Declase 2, T. McCaffrey 2, L. Wagener 2, J. Dahlhaus, N. Hayes, M. Hanson, M. Brennan, T. Gribble, S. Paea. Mannagh.
Coburg: C. Thompson 2, L. Nelson 2, E. Sibbald, J. D'Intinosante, J. Kemp.

BEST
Werribee: N. Coughlan, K. Declase, M. Hanson, T. Gribble, D. Brew, L. Pinnuck.
Coburg:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Werribee enjoying its best first quarter of the season kicking 6.5 while limiting Coburg to just three inside 50s and a single behind in the opening term. Without key forward Hudson Garoni (illness) - one of three changes for the game - there was five individual goal scorers in the opening stanza with Logan Wagener kicking two for the second week in a row. Werribee did the damage on the scoreboard in the back half of the first term adding four goals in the final 10 minutes of play to lead by 40 points at quarter time.

Coburg grabbed the opening major of the second quarter, but Werribee’s first goal would eventually come from the boot of Tom Gribble from a forward stoppage after nine and half minutes. The home team’s advantage stretched further with back-to-back goals from Sam Paea and Shaun Manngh with the Big W up by 55 points at the 25-minute mark of the second before Coburg goaled late. Gribble (20 disposals, 1 goal) and Matt Hanson (19 disposals) controlled the midfield battle in the first half while Kye Declase was also at his best on the outside with 18 touches and a goal.

Late inclusion Marty Brennan, playing his first game since the opening round of the season got Werribee’s second half off to a good start snapping his first goal at VFL level six minutes into the third quarter and not long after Tom McCaffrey struct another blow with a quality finish from deep. The Big W registered the first nine scoring shots of the third before conceding two goals in the back end of the term. Despite that, Werribee was terrific defensively for the more than 20 minutes finishing the quarter with some of its best defensive numbers of the match with 19 tackles and 28 intercept possessions.

Werribee’s 67-point lead was reduced to 52 points 11 minutes into the last term, however, Nick Hayes and McCaffrey added final quarter goals to see the home team record its second biggest win this season. The defensive duo of Lou Pinnuck and Nick Coughlan, who celebrated his 50th game for Werribee, were again among Werribee's best combining for 18 intercept possessions between them. The pair also provided plenty of drive from the back half including one end-to-end passage in the first quarter which began with Coughlan’s long kick-in to Pinnuck and ended with a goal to Jay Dahlhaus in just 11 seconds. Darcy Cassar finished with 15 disposals and five marks in encouraging VFL debut.  

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 35 disposals (17 kicks), 15 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 tackles, 8 score involvements, 1 goal.
Matt Hanson: 30 disposals (19 kicks), 14 handball receives, 10 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 1 goal. 
Kye Declase: 29 disposals (21 kicks), 7 marks, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 9 score involvements, 2 goals. 
Dom Brew: 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 11 tackles. 
Lou Pinnuck: 23 disposals: (18 kicks), 10 marks (1 contested), 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s 6 score involvements.
Marty Brennan: 22 disposals, 6 marks (2 contested), 3 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 2 tackles, 1 goal.
Tom McCaffrey: 17 disposals (12 kicks), 7 marks (2 contested), 6 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles, 2 goals. 
Nick Coughlan: 15 disposals (13 kicks), 7 marks (5 intercept), 9 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.

NEXT MATCH
Round 17
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday July 16, 2:05pm
Box Hill City Oval