Warrior spirit returns
North Geelong claim win
THE North Geelong Warriors’ spirit is back, according to interim manager Nathan Rogers, after they negated Werribee City to win 1-0 in an intense contest at Elcho Park.
A Darius Madison penalty proved the difference in an attimes scrappy affair, but the spectacle mattered little to Warriors staff and fans who roared with glee at the final whistle.
It would be an understatement to say a win was needed for the club that has endured a torrid past few weeks, with the loss of coach Luciano Trani amid a number of heavy defeats.
Rogers could not hide his delight post-match as he exclaimed, “We’re back!”
“It’s not relief, it’s something else. From the tough week they had after Luc (Trani departed) and then putting things in place this week to move forward, I think it’s more we’re here,” Rogers said.
There was a different feeling surrounding Elcho Park throughout the game as the Warriors’ defensive application had improved dramatically and started to resemble the trademark they set during their dominant early-season performances.
On a number of occasions, midfielders Ryan Oppermann and Damien Peters made crucial challenges higher up the pitch, not allowing Werribee to push deeper as had been the case in recent times.
The belief that a win could be in the Warriors’ grasp was elevated when Werribee’s Samuel McCall was shown a red-card in the 37th minute for a late studs-up-challenge on Peters.
Rogers admitted his side reacted too late to Werribee’s adjustment but was glad they eventually capitalised on the extra man advantage.
“It’s always hard playing against 10 (men), sometimes harder than 11,” he said.
“We didn’t adjust to their change to a false-9 in the second half and we had to fix that. Once we fixed that I think there were no problems other than the counter.”
Madison’s time came in the 72nd minute when he stepped over one defender managing to keep his feet, before drawing a foul in between a sandwich of Werribee players inside the box.
His penalty wasn’t pretty nor was it clinical but it did the job as the Warriors players embraced in a huddle.
“He (Madison) gets his body in the way, he disturbs centre-backs and he brings defenders together,” Rogers said
“Werribee didn’t do it too much today but all the teams before have doubled-teamed him and it’s really frustrated him. Today he had a bit more space and he was able to get off the shoulder of the player with ball and he draws the foul.”
Some tense final minutes and a Hamish Flavell save secured the win but more importantly, some genuine happiness was restored at Elcho Park.