Tigers put a dent in Blue's finals hopes: VFL Round 18.

The Northern Blues finals aspirations may well be over following a 48-point defeat at the hands of Werribee in the penultimate round of the Peter Jackson VFL season at Visy Park. Needing to win to remain in the top eight and missing several key players, whether through injury or promotion to the aligned AFL Carlton team, the Blues struggled from the outset. An eight goal to nil third quarter sealed the deal for the Tigers and despite the Blues kicking seven themselves in the last term the result had been put beyond doubt. The Tigers had too many options in front of goal with talls Ben Brown and Ben McKinley and small forwards Addams Maric and skipper Robbie Castello all snaring three goals.

Played in blustery conditions and with rain threatening the Tigers began well and took a nine-point lead into the first break. Blue Sam Rowe providing the highlight of the quarter with a towering mark at the Royal Parade end of the ground. The signs began to look ominous for the Blues in the second quarter.

Tiger's ruckman Daniel Currie was dominant around the ground providing teammates with first use of the ball, Jordan Gysberts a beneficiary with 17 first-half disposals. At half-time Werribee had increased the margin to 23 points 6.10.46 to 3.5.23.

In the third quarter Werribee piled on the goals with the Blues offering little resistance. Castello added two with Jarred Moore and 100-gamer Ben Ross providing the Tigers with plenty of grunt and run through the midfield.

Conditions deteriorated during the term with rain falling however it didn't deter the Tigers as they held the Blues goalless and increased their lead to a whopping 72 points at the final change.

In the final quarter the Blues managed to convert from more inside fifty entries as the Tigers took their foot off the pedal. AFL rookie listed Rhys O'Keefe helped himself to a couple of goals, one, the goal of the day, a left-foot snap from tight in the pocket at the Legends Stand end.

Nick Duigan added two to finish with three for the match but the damage had well and truly been done, Werribee running out comfortable winners 17.16.118 to the Northern Blues 10.10.70.

For the victors ruckman Currie was the most influential player on the ground but there was a long list of Tigers queuing up behind him. Former Tasmanian Brown continues to impress up forward, Castello (3 goals) and midfielders Moore and Michael Sodomaco were hard at the contest. For the Northern Blues, O'Keefe (31 disposals), David Ellard (30), Aaron Joseph (25) and Duigan never stopped trying while defender Marcus Davies held Werribee spearhead Ben Warren goalless.

Werribee will be looking to maintain their momentum leading into the finals when they take on Collingwood away in the final round. The Blues, however, now have the job ahead of them to regain their spot in the eight; they face a difficult task away to Williamstown who will be keen to hold onto a top four finish.