Round 16 Wrap: Werribee vs Port Melbourne

A scintillating best on ground display by Joel Bennett helped Werribee snap a four-game losing streak and claim a vitally-important 27-point win over fellow standalones Port Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.

RESULT

Werribee: 4.0 8.6 12.7 15.10 (100)
Port Melbourne: 4.6 4.8 8.11 10.13 (73)

GOALS

Werribee: J. Bennett 5, K. Declase 2, J. Riccardi 2, T. Gribble, R. Kemp, J. Maishman, T. House, J. Henderson, N. Coughlan

Port Melbourne: K. Haretuku 3, M. Signorello, T. O”Sullivan, S. Lange, T. O”Sullivan, C. Walker, J. Lisle, E. Templeton

BEST

Werribee: J. Bennett, J. Henderson, M. Spencer, J. Riccardi, J. Maishman, R. Kemp

Port Melbourne: M. Wenn, E. Templeton, M. Signorello, R. Pendlebury, D. Johnstone, C. Searle

HOW IT HAPPENED

Stakes were high heading into Saturday’s clash with both sides desperate to buck their recent losing trend and solidify top eight spots. With the aid of a slight wind advantage, Port Melbourne registered 10 scoring shots in the opening term, but could only manage a six-point lead at quarter time.
Werribee responded with four unanswered goals in the second, and held a 22-point buffer at the main break. Bennett the star with four first half majors.
It was goal-for-goal for much of the third quarter, before two late to the Borough narrowed the gap to 20 points at the final change.
A brave contested mark and calm finish from Tom Gribble set the tone early in the last, however the Borough weren’t done with yet, kicking back-to-back majors to keep things interesting. Late rewards for Joe Maishman and Kye Declase sealed the deal and ensured the ‘big W’ held onto their spot in the top eight.
The result matched up perfectly with the club’s Past Players/Officials and Members Appreciation Day which was a raging success.

KEY PLAYERS

Joel Bennett: Five goals, 16 disposals, six tackles, five marks, five inside-50s.
Jake Riccardi: Two goals, 15 disposals, eight marks, six inside-50s.
Joe Maishman: 18 disposals, seven tackles, seven inside-50s and a goal.
Tom Gribble: 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six clearances and a goal.

NEXT WEEK

Werribee vs Frankston
Saturday July 27
2pm at Avalon Airport Oval

AARON FETTER

Source: Werribee Football Club