VFL Tigers fall to WerribeeBy Brenton Mann
Richmond Media
11 June 2023Richmond VFL couldn’t get the points in the battle of the Tigers on Sunday afternoon at the Swinburne Centre, as a well-drilled Werribee held sway by 45 points.
The home Tigers highlighted why they can match it with any side in the competition in the second term, however their brashness of youth wasn’t there for four quarters, the final score reading, 4.13 (37) def. by 11.16 (82).
“Play an open game with speed.”
Steve Morris’ pre-game can be applied to both the offensive and defensive phases of the game, with Mykelti Lefau a poster boy for the latter.
Lefau made his presence felt early in the first quarter, with a bone-crunching tackle on the outer wing.
Tom Brown made a successful return from injury along with Lefau last week against the Giants and glided across the turf from the opening bounce.
The return of Maurice Rioli was a welcome one, as he stalked, smothered, and tackled his way through the opening term.
Richmond showed it was up for the fight, however, Werribee made the most of its opportunities forward of centre when the home Tigers didn’t.
The travelling Tigers held a four-goal lead at the first change, which Richmond swiftly ate into in the second term.
Richmond tooth-and-nail inside the contest, then injected speed into the game off half-back as they locked the ball in their front-half.
Fifty-game skipper, Lachlan Street then put his head in the hole, earning himself a free-kick and most importantly, converted his set-shot from as tight angle, opening Richmond’s goal account.
The Tigers ratcheted it up around the ball, forcing Werribee into turnovers, then exploding offensively with ball-in-hand.
Lefau reeled in ex-Richmond player, Bailey Henderson at half-back, which set the Tigers in motion as they surged the ball through the corridor, ending with a craft crumbing goal by Angus Hicks.
Lefau was running full steam ahead, as he forced yet another turnover with a hulking tackle, then smartly handed the ball to Sam Banks, who breached the paint of 50 and kicked truly.
Richmond’s inaccuracy in-front-of-goal meant Werribee clung to an 11-point lead at half-time.
Werribee slotted the opening two goals of the third term, extending their lead to north of three goals.
With time ticking on late in the third term, Banks clutched an intercept mark on the Jack Dyer Stand wing, wearing a clip across the scone for good measure.
The wingman was undeterred, driving the ball deep inside 50 where Kaelan Bradtke wrapped his mitts around the Sherrin and slotted the Tigers’ fourth major.
Another ex-Tiger, Shaun Mannagh answered back swiftly for the visitors, reinstating his side’s four-goal lead.
Werribee, a seasoned outfit and one of the form sides of the competition, showed why in the final term. They played the game in their half for the majority of the last quarter, constricting Richmond’s explosive ball movement and incrementally increased their lead.
The hosts were held scoreless, whilst Werribee slotted three majors which iced the game.
RICH 0.5 3.10 4.13 4.13 (37)
WERR 4.5 5.9 8.11 11.16 (82)
Goal Kickers:
Richmond: Banks, Street, Bradtke, Hicks
Best Players: Banks, Sonsie, Brown, Brindley, Johnson, Street
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1356033/vfl-tigers-fall-to-werribee
