WRFL 2019: Nick Buykx boots six in Werribee Districts win over Spotswood

Werribee Districts trailed at the main break of their blockbuster clash against Spotswood on Saturday before one of their VFL-listed players “caught fire” and produced an extraordinary third-quarter display.

Werribee Districts are a game clear in third spot under Chris Gilham. Picture: Local Legends Photography

A star turn from Nick Buykx inspired Werribee Districts to a vital win over premiership rival Spotswood on Saturday.

Usual defender Buykx booted five majors in an awe-inspiring third-quarter display and finished with six for the match in the Tigers’ six-point victory at home, 12.11 (83) to 11.11 (77).

Coach Chris Gilham said the Williamstown VFL-listed player “caught fire” in the third term as Werribee Districts booted seven goals to two in a dominant half-hour to erase a 14-point half-time deficit.

“It’s credit to him. He’s not a one-position player and can play in different spots,” Gilham said.

“He’s kicked seven goals for the year and six (on Saturday). He can play in a range of spots and contribute in other ways.”

The Tigers trailed by four goals at quarter-time before working their way back into the contest.

Caleb Sullivan was moved from centre half-back to centre half-forward in the second half, while ruckman Will Sullivan played out of the goal square.

The extra height allowed Werribee Districts’ dangerous fleet of smalls to get to work, headlined by Buykx.

“We had enough clearances and inside 50s in the first quarter, but every time they went inside 50 they scored, and that was probably the difference,” Gilham said.

“I think it would have been level inside 50s, but we weren’t scoring when we went in and we weren’t stopping them when they went in.

“We just had to take away the hit-up leads. That was our focus.

“We were trying to stay positive at quarter-time. We definitely didn’t panic.

“We thought we got ourselves back in the game by half-time, we just had to tweak a few things and luckily a few of those things worked and a bloke (Buykx) played a blinder, which helps.”

Gilham said the intensity of his midfielders lifted in the second half, with Trent Lee, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Bailey Siwek all firing.

The Tigers are a game clear in third position, but there is no time to relax ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash against six-time reigning premier Deer Park, which sits fourth.

They will then round out the home-and-away campaign with matches against Point Cook (ninth), Caroline Springs (seventh) and Sunshine (eighth).

“The competition’s that close this year,” Gilham said.

“If you drop a game you shouldn’t or don’t show up one week, you go from third to sixth pretty quickly.

“Hopefully we can get into that top three, which has been our season aim.”

Altona, Hoppers Crossing, St Albans and Caroline Springs were the other winners in Round 14.

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