Ross has had a wretched run recently with hip and groin troubles plaguing his young AFL career. In 2010, his season was cut short with North Melbourne medical staff sending him in for several bouts of surgery. After a slow and thorough rehabilitation, the 22 year-old has gradually increased his output in the VFL with Werribee and collected best-on-ground honours against Frankston.
With 19 possessions and three goals, Ross was outstanding for the Tigers and earned praise from coach Paul Satterley.
“Rossy has hit a purple patch. He has lifted his intensity and overall work-rate and is reaping the rewards, his efficiency with ball stood out and he kicked three clever goals,” Satterley told kangaroos.com.au.
Another player also improving dramatically with every game is ruckman Hamish McIntosh. In just his third game back after surgery on both achilles, he was brilliant with a remarkable 46 hit-outs and 19 disposals.
“His influence in the ruck was outstanding. He played extremely well and keeps getting better with each game he plays. Importantly, he ran the game out well playing 90 per cent.”
Backing Hamish up in the ruck was Majak Daw who also caught the eye of the coach.
“In conditions not ideal for talls, Majak imposed himself on the game winning 21 hit-outs (many to our advantage). He had 10 disposals and kicked a clever goal,” Satterley recalled.
Also back from injury was young defender Jamie Macmillan who sustained several facial fractures in North’s match against Adelaide in round 11. Satterley said Macmillan ‘showed no signs of missing over a month of footy and ran the game out well’ after he collected 23 possessions including nine handball receives playing on a wing.
Hitting the scoreboard along with Ross were Ben Speight and Ben McKinley who both threaded through three apiece.
Speight also had 13 touches and 5 tackles before his day ended prematurely.
“Speighty provided the spark early in the game when the side was under pressure, unfortunately he took a heavy knock and did not play out the last quarter.”
Meanwhile it was McKinley’s good skills which enabled him to contribute well.
“Despite being a horrible day for forwards, Benny kicked three goals and showed his class, handling the ball as if it were a dry day.”
There were some encouraging signs for Gavin Urquhart who racked up 20 disposals including five inside 50’s and 6 handball receives.
“Gav’s offensive game was really effective in the conditions and he played a solid four quarters.”
Playing with Werribee after being dropped from the Kangaroos’ senior side, Nathan Grima was commended for his attitude and application.
“Nathan came to us with a terrific attitude and willingness to work hard. He was terrific in the one on one contests, won 19 disposals and helped create much of our drive from our backline.”
Robbie Tarrant was again played as a forward alongside Ben Warren who many thought would have missed after an ankle injury last week.
“Taz played at centre half-forward this week and like Ben McKinley, was a bit quiet in tough conditions although worked hard throughout the game and was rewarded with a goal in the final term.
"Ben Warren worked really hard as usual and could have finished with three or four goals if not for his inaccuracy (he finished with one), but he was clean below his knees in the wet."
Frankston 3.4 4.6 5.7 7.9 (51)
Werribee Tigers 4.3 5.5 13.9 19.14 (128)
Werribee Tigers
Goal Kickers: B. Speight 3, B. Ross 3, B. MCKINLEY 3, R. Castello 2, B. Warren , L. Harding , T. Tuck , M. Daw , W. Martiniello , H. McIntosh , R. Tarrant , J. Mather
Best Players: B. Ross, H. McIntosh, M. Daw, J. Mather, B. Speight, B. SHARP
