TIV DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: WERRIBEE DISTRICTS VS CAROLINE SPRINGS
WERRIBEE DISTRICTS v CAROLINE SPRINGS
Saturday 20 September | Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval (Chirnside Park), Werribee | 2:30pm
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The 2025 TIV Division 1 season has reached its final showdown with perennial Grand Finalists Werribe Districts and challenger Caroline Springs set to face-off at Werribee on Saturday.
After playing off in the three previous season finales Werribee Districts juggernaut continued to roll on this year with Chris Gilham’s outfit again the best side in the home and away season.
Minor premiers for the third consecutive year, Districts earned yet another shot at Division 1 glory via their fourth straight Grand Final appearance.
Despite only claiming one senior premiership in that time it’s a remarkable testament to the club’s consistency, depth, and the winning culture that has been built at Soldiers Reserve.
This season, Werribee again set the benchmark, finishing top of the ladder and securing a direct path to the decider, a big final quarter lifting them over Caroline Springs in the Major Semi Final.
Led by a core group that knows what September football demands, Districts will enter the Grand Final with close to their best side on the park.
This season they’ve been superbly led by their next crop of dual-threat midfielders with Harrison White and Lucas Rocci going up another level in the centre of the ground in partnership with two-time Barry Priest Medallist and captain Dillon Viojo-Rainbow.
The return of hulking forward Dan Nielson has been massive for Districts giving them an even more dominant focal point in attack. The former North Melbourne defender enters the Grand Final as the competition’s top goal kicker with 68 majors.
Meanwhile, some of their veterans continue to age like fine wine, former captain Daniel Schibeci, defensive anchor Sean Gregory and swingman Ben McMahon have all had brilliant seasons.
Vice-captain Josh Mould, emerging forward Jack Fletcher (before going down with injury in the final round) and McMahon all benefited from having Nielson back, the trio tallying 39, 24 and 15 goals respectively.
It’s a historic week for Caroline Springs, who will take the field in their first-ever TIV Division 1 Senior Men’s Grand Final.
After falling just short in last year’s Preliminary Final, the Lakers took another step forward in 2025 after finishing the home and away campaign third on the ladder.
Their progression to the Grand Final hasn’t been easy, but that’s only hardened their resolve.
After a 34-point Qualifying Final win over Yarraville Seddon they fell to Werribee Districts in the Major Semi Final, before bouncing back with a gutsy win over the Eagles in the Preliminary Final to secure their maiden Grand Final berth – a momentous achievement for the club and coach Brian Lake.
Going into the biggest match of the year Caroline Springs know they can beat Werribee. They proved it in Round 15, grinding out a hard-fought 88 to 79 victory that showed they’re more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the best.
But on Saturday it’s likely they’ll line up without some key personnel, lost since that win over Districts.
Leading goal kicker Steve Kyriazis hasn’t played since the Lakers’ win over Werribee and fellow forward Malik Elfakahani missed the team’s past two finals. Meanwhile, their skipper Keenan O’Shea is in doubt after also going down injured in the second quarter of the Preliminary Final.
However, star veteran Ryan Allan has since picked up the slack in attack and has kicked three or more goals in each of the Lakers’ past four games.
Last year’s Barry Priest Medallist Alex Paech has been huge all season and particular in their three finals so far, as has a player at his feet in Cooper Pepi who has been outstanding in midfield and as a forward threat in 2025.
Ben Caluzzi has impressed and been mighty consistent off halfback in his first season with the club with Ethan Mantas also proving important, while in recent weeks youngster Benjamin Davey has showcased his dash and thrived with more responsibility.
For Caroline Springs, Saturday is a shot at rewriting history in the most spectacular way possible, and for Werribee Districts, it’s a chance to cement a dynasty and take home another piece of silverware.
2025 HEAD-TO-HEAD
Round 4 – Werribee Districts 13.14 (92) def Caroline Springs 11.11 (77)
Round 15 – Caroline Springs 12.16 (88) def Werribee Districts 12.7 (79)
Major Semi Final – Werribee Districts 16.10 (106) def Caroline Springs 12.17 (89)
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
Werribee Districts – Chris Gilham
“We sort of parked last year’s disappointment right away, obviously losing a Grand Final any time is tough, losing by one point is even tougher. This year was all about giving ourselves another opportunity. We knew if we did the work and showed up again and put in over the course of the year that we would give ourselves an opportunity. Three minor premierships in a row, in some sports that celebrated heavily. Not so much our sport, it’s all about Grand Final day and winning that premiership. But it’s something we can look at and say our consistency over a long period of time now has been very very good, and hopefully we can make it count. The last couple of years we’ve had all three teams and great representation on the day, to have both the Seniors and Reserves in again is a massive achievement and something we’re really proud of. The boys are rapt, our whole squad and it takes a whole squad to get there, and we’ve always been about that. We know it’s going to go the distance. I think if you look at the results over the three games there was only a couple of goals in each of them. In the (qualifying) final both teams at stages were on top and either team could have walked away with the victory. We know we’re playing a quality opposition, they’ve got a lot of good players, and we know we have to be out our absolute best to be winning.”
Caroline Springs – Brian Lake
“It’s taken us nine years to get here. We were reasonably close in 2022 and 2024 losing those two prelims, so to finally get over that hurdle and get our first opportunity at winning a (Division 1) flag is great. Also, with the reserves being in the Grand Final as well there’s a really good buzz around the club at the moment. We lost the first two games of the year against Yarraville and Hoppers Crossing and we’re still a youngish group we recruited a couple of guys into our football club, so it just took them a little while to get use to how we wanted to play. It’s been a really good year, been a long year, but hopefully that all finishes with a smile on Saturday. You try and keep as much normality to their week, that is probably crucial. Our preparation will stay the same it’s a little bit different on game day, but we’ll address that at training on Thursday night. You look at those (previous) games there hasn’t been a blowout in any three of those games, it’s been a real arm wrestle for the four quarters, so I think it’s going to be exciting Grand Final. They’re going to be fresh, they’re going to be ready to go and for us I look at it that we’re probably match fit after two games against Yarraville Seddon and one against Werribee. I think we’re going to be reasonably match hardened. Hopefully we can go two for two on Saturday.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Werribee Districts – Harrison White
Has been with Districts fulltime in 2025 after stepping away from VFL commitments following two seasons with Richmond and what a season he has produced, playing arguably the best football of his career. Can impact in so many ways in both midfield and forward of centre with his ball winning ability, game breaking speed and incredible eye for goal. Enters the Grand Final with 38 majors from 17 games, the eighth best total in the competition. Has kicked two bags of four and another of three against Caroline Springs.
Caroline Springs – Alex Paech
Has had another sensational campaign on the back of last year’s Barry Priest Medal win. A man mountain who dominates in the middle of the ground each week with his ruck work, follow-up play and ability around the ground. Has played in all three contests versus Werribee Districts to date and delivered his best performances of the season against the Lakers’ Grand Final opponent. Three of his four highest possession games have come against Districts, while also averaging 39 hit-outs in those outings.
TIV DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL DETAILS – SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
Under 18s – Newport vs Sunshine, 9:15am
Reserves – Werribee Districts vs Caroline Springs, 11:45am
Seniors – Werribee Districts vs Caroline Springs, 2:30pm
Admission: Adult $22, Concession $17, Kids 17 and under free.