Match result

Werribee 13.8.86 defeated Casey 10.15.75

In action

Sam Durdin (13 disposals, 3 marks, 8 rebound 50s)

Daniel Nielson (10 disposals, 3 marks)

Braydon Preuss (13 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 71 hit-outs)

Josh Williams (10 disposals, 1 goal)

Will Fordham (24 disposals, 1 goal)

Mitch Hibberd (23 disposals, 6 rebound 50s)

Nick Larkey (8 disposals, 4 marks, 4 goals)

Declan Mountford (23 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s)

Cameron Zurhaar (13 disposals, 2 goals)

Matthew Taylor (13 disposals, 7 tackles)

Lindsay Thomas (5 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 goals)

PRESS PLAY above to watch the Round 4 Player Focus.

Story of the game

On a sunny, but chilly day at Hoppers Crossing, Werribee took on Casey in what can only be referred to as a see-sawing battle.

From the start, both sides traded blows, with the Tigers only gaining ascendancy very late in the piece to claim an 11-point victory.

The Demons had led by as much as 18 points during the third quarter, before the likes of Lindsay Thomas, Braydon Preuss and Declan Mountford stood tall in the comeback.

Best of the AFL

Nick Larkey & Declan Mountford

It was first-year player Larkey who led the way in attack for Werribee, with four goals in the first two and a half quarters.

Mountford was just as important through the midfield, with his hardness at the contest and constant run both features of a quality game.

Best of the VFL

Tom Gribble

The on-baller was terrific all day, racking up 26 disposals, 5 clearances and 4 tackles.

Talking points

Larkey on target

After a couple of quiet weeks, the youngster was the best forward on the ground in the first half.

While he stands at 197 centimetres, it's Larkey's smarts and ability to find space inside 50 which is making him a dangerous option for Werribee.

By half-time he'd booted three goals, and soon after the break he had four. Despite finishing with only the 6 disposals, his impact was huge.

Lindsay lifts

Copping plenty of attention from the opposition, Thomas struggled to get into the game early. But he stood up when it mattered.

A mark on the lead and goal late in the third term gave the number 12 the spark he needed; he kicked a further 2 goals in the final quarter, and laid several big tackles to help lift the Tigers to victory.

Check out Thomas' sealer below.

Lindsay Thomas stepped up when it mattered in the VFL, with three goals in the second half including the sealer #BeAShinboner #NMFC pic.twitter.com/mtDdNfpcRu — North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) May 7, 2017

Preuss' ruck domination

The North big man is doing everything he can to get back into the side, with a dominant ruck display.

When the game was tight, he was able to set up his teammates with some precise taps, and was equally as impressive deep in defence with several goal-saving marks.

Preuss almost capped off his day with a Mark of The Year nomination, but couldn't quite pull it down.

Check out the video of the attempted mark below.

Nielson's best yet

In a game Development Manager Ben Dyer labelled as "his best yet", Nielson was a rock in defence.

Not only did he stop his opponent having an impact, he also pulled down some big contested marks and provided drive going the other way.

Running Roos

Those at the ground couldn't help but be excited by some of the attacking forays involving North Melbourne players.

The likes of Zurhaar, Mountford, Hibberd and Fordham were all involved in passages where the ball was moved from one end to the other in a chain of handballs, finishing in goals to the Tigers.

Williams also kicked a great goal from deep in the pocket, despite copping plenty of attention from his opposing defender.

Check out Williams' goal below.

Nice finish from Josh Williams in the VFL today #BeAShinboner #NMFC pic.twitter.com/mHIc31Z1ui — North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) May 7, 2017

Photos

Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Braydon Preuss.

Josh Williams.