Match result

Werribee 9.9.63 defeated by Box Hill 15.18.108

In action

Lindsay Thomas (12 disposals, 2 goals)

Jed Anderson (14 disposals, 6 tackles)

Ben McKay (9 disposals, 3 marks)

Will Fordham (17 disposals)

Todd Goldstein (8 disposals, 6 tackles, 52 hit-outs)

Matt Taylor (21 disposals)

Declan Watson (9 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles)

Story of the game

It was wet and slippery at Box Hill City Oval as Werribee took on the top-of-the-table Hawks.

The Tigers' Josh Corbett kicked the first goal for the visitors, and Lindsay Thomas slotted one late in the first term, but Box Hill went in with a 13-point lead.

The rain came down heavily in the second term, as the Hawks continued to enjoy the ascendancy. They kicked the first three majors of the quarter to get out to a 30-point lead, before Thomas again hit the scoreboard.

That lead was quickly extended in the third, as Box Hill kicked 4.9 to 2.1 to lead by 43 at the final change.

Declan Watson was standing strong in defence, even spending time on AFL-listed key-forward Ty Vickery, but the Hawks were well clear and eventually got home by 45 points.

“In the first half, we just didn’t take a couple of opportunities that we needed to, but at the same time leaked some goals to Box Hill,” Werribee Coach John Lamont said.

“We went in with a four-goal deficit at half-time, but then our third quarter was really poor. We just lost our way around the ball.”

Werribee slipped to eighth on the VFL table, with five games remaining.

"You just have to adjust to the conditions and we probably didn't do that today," North Developent Coach Gavin Brown said.

"It was a little bit more kick, rather than handball, and at times today we over-handballed the ball a little bit by hand and gave them (the Hawks) the opportunity to get back in the game.

"We just needed to get it onto the boot a little bit more and give our forwards a little more opportunity.

"There was some periods of the game where we played some pretty good footy, but the scoreboard didn't reflect that."

Best of the VFL

Dom Brew

For the second week in a row, the midfielder was named the Tigers' best. He had 23 disposals, kicked a goal and laid 15 tackles.

Talking points

Goldstein's solid return

It certainly wasn't the ideal conditions for a big man, but Todd Goldstein battled strongly all day.

Omitted from the North team, he had 52 hit-outs and laid 6 tackles.

"It was a really, really tough day at the office. Conditions were torrential really at stages, so I thought he battled on pretty well," Brown said.

"He dominated the hit-outs for sure."

As to whether Goldstein could earn a recall against Melbourne in Tasmania:

"I think he did enough in his craft, in his ruck-work, but it’s a little bit difficult to judge him on today (given the conditions)."

Watson's learning experience

Originally scheduled to play in the development league as he returned from injury, Declan Watson was a late call-up for the Tigers' seniors.

The 2016 draftee played a key role in defence.

"He had a really good third quarter. He did a couple of nice things in the first half and in the last as well, so it was really pleasing to see him playing to his attributes," Brown said.

"He’s got great athleticism. He’s got a great leap. I thought some of his spoils were outstanding.

"He played on (Ty) Vickery for a bit of time and beat him in a couple of contests as well. It was really pleasing."

Thomas hits the scoreboard

Lindsay Thomas returned to a familiar role in attack, and finished with five scoring shots for the day, booting 2.3.

The small-forward was lively throughout the day, providing plenty of chances despite the tough conditions.

Declan Watson in the huddle.

David Loader talks to Todd Goldstein.

In at half-time.