Sitting second last on the ladder Werribee needed a spark and coach Simon Atkins let Leigh Adams (37 disposals, 8 clearances, 5 tackles, 1 goal) off the leash. With some good conditioning under his belt after a niggling hamstring injury, Adams featured prominently in the opening term with seven possessions and was dangerous around the packs and in open space.
He also linked up well with North rookie Ben Speight (22 disposals) and helped Werribee to a two-point quarter time lead after the side had 11 scoring shots to just four.
Coburg kicked the opening two goals of the second but Alan Obst’s (12 disposals, 6 tackles, 13 hit-outs, 2 goals) aggressive tackling knocked the wind out of the visiting side and enabled Werribee to hit-back on the scoreboard. He also did some damage himself kicking an important goal late in the quarter.
But it was another day to forget for one of the Kangaroos’ other rookies with Matthew Scott knocked out again. The 18 year-old has had a treacherous run so far this year and was left unconscious in the second term after a heavy off the ball collision.
Scott joined teammate Mitch Thorp in the change rooms as their side trailed by 12-points at the half.
But Obst was on a mission with an interception and a goal assist cutting giving Werribee back the lead by a solitary point when play resumed. The only thing letting Obst down was his enthusiasm - his eagerness to lay tackles and win the ball resulted in more than a few free kicks against.
Luckily, he was making up for his mistakes and even had in impact in the ruck.
With Robbie Tarrant (19 disposals, 6 marks, 5 spoils) playing in defence, mostly on Alex Rance, Obst had the freedom to play deep in the forward line but was also sighted down back.
A late goal to Adams gave Werribee a seven goals to two third term and a handy 22-point lead.
Obst opened the last quarter in true style with another goal and stretched the margin to 28 but Coburg came right back into the game.
The sides traded blows for the last part of the fourth but Werribee was able to hold on by seven points for just its second win of 2010.
Werribee: 13.20.98
Coburg: 13.13.91