Match result

Williamstown 17.15.117 defeated Werribee 6.10.46

In action

Lindsay Thomas

Matt Taylor

Ben McKay

Lachlan Hansen

Will Fordham

Josh Williams

Story of the game

Werribee lined up against Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Sunday knowing that a win would cement its place in the top eight. A loss, on the other hand, would mean that Collingwood could leap into September calculations.

The Seagulls began the game strongly, winning the ball inside the contest and kicking two goals in the opening minutes, against a fairly strong breeze. The Tigers found themselves chasing the opposition for most of the opening term, but inaccurate kicking from the home team gave them an opportunity to stay in the game. A strong opening quarter from Lindsay Thomas, with two early goals, gave Werribee an 11-point lead heading into the first break.

Williamstown showed why it's sitting on top of the ladder in the second term, holding its opponent to just two behinds for the quarter. Again, poor kicking from the Seagulls kept the Tigers in the match, as they kicked seven behinds for the term to take a slight lead into half-time.

Josh Williams kicked the Tigers' only goal for the after the main break as Williamstown took control of the match, kicking seven goals against the breeze in the third term alone.

Williamstown’s blistering 12 goals in the second half proved too much for Werribee to overcome, and the Tigers eventually went down by 71 points.

Best of the VFL

Matt Hanson once again showed why he is the favourite to take Werribee’s best and fairest this year, with another best-on-ground performance.

Talking points

Lindsay’s early form

The opening term saw Thomas back to some of his best form. He booted two goals early.

“Lindsay was really lively early in the game,” North Development Manager Ben Dyer said.

“They were rotating a few match-ups on him, but he was able to get really dangerous out the back.”

Thomas’ impact dropped off through lack of supply in the second half, as the Tigers’ entries dried up and Williamstown took control of the game.

“As the game swung a fair bit, we didn’t have many inside 50s after half-time,” Dyer added.

“Unfortunately his ability to influence the game was restricted.

“It was the Lindsay of old in the first quarter – he was really dangerous and we really liked what we saw early on.”

Thomas had a Goal of the Year contender during the first time.

How about this effort from Lindsay Thomas in the VFL on Sunday? #BeAShinboner #NMFC pic.twitter.com/mTtQzUsi9O — North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) August 14, 2017

McKay’s defensive move

Ben McKay played his second game as a full-time dedender, again proving his versatility.

The key-position player did his best to withstand Williamstown's second half onslaught, impressing his coaches with his ability to shut down his opponents.

“He’s really starting to grow into the role,” Dyer said.

“Whether in the future this helps him when he goes forward again remains to be seen, but we are liking what we see from him as a defender.

“For two weeks now he’s been one of the positives for us.”

It's tough from here

Werribee's chances of playing in September copped a blow with the big loss on Sunday.

The Tigers dropped outside the eight following Collingwood's big win over North Ballarat, and percentage is a really worry, with John Lamont's team 14 per cent behind the Magpies.

Collingwood takes on the 12th-placed Cats on Saturday, while Werribee faces the Northern Blues, who currently sit tenth on the table and are still in the mix for finals.

Lachlan Hansen and Matt Taylor.

The players in the huddle.



Josh Williams comes off at half-time.

Will Fordham in the huddle.