TIV DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: WERRIBEE DISTRICTS VS HOPPERS CROSSING
The 2024 Western Football Netball League season comes to its conclusion this weekend with one club chasing its second straight premiership and the other its first flag in 20 years.
Reigning premiers Werribee Districts and close rivals Hoppers Crossing meet in the TIV Division 1 Grand Final at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday where they’ll play for the ultimate prize.
Werribee Districts return to the last game of the year for the third straight season and will be out to claim back-to-back premierships after again being the top side for the duration of the year.
For the second consecutive year Werribee Districts under the expertise of coach Chris Gilham only lost once in the home and away season collecting the minor premiership and then winning straight through to the Grand Final.
The past two years have been a contrast for Hoppers Crossing, wooden spooners 12 months ago they’ve since undergone a remarkable turnaround under first year mentor Jared Polec.
The Warriors won just two games in 2023 and early signs this season pointed to another year of pain however, after losing their first four games they would win eight and draw one of their next 12, finishing the home and away season fifth before recording three impressive finals victories. One more win would give the Warriors their third Division 1 Premiership and first since 2004.
While this year’s Hoppers Crossing team is made of the same core as recent seasons with the likes of captain Liam McMahon, midfielder hard-nuts Corey Muscat and Chase Guy, star defenders Ashlin Brown and Braden Ferrari as well as Riley Fisher in attack, Polec’s influence and the pieces they’ve added have helped them reach the last game of the year.
Having the class of Josh Pickess fulltime in 2024 has been a huge positive to go with the additions of notable talent in former AFL player Jed Anderson and fellow recruits Bailey Young from Darley and AFL Sydney pair Harry Maguire and Mitch Kunigiskis.
At Soldiers Reserve, Werribee Districts entered the 2024 season without several premiership heroes including Trent Lee, Chris Molivas and Andrew Panayi but experience and quality remained in two-time Barry Priest Medalist Dillon Viojo Rainbow, key position players Sean Gregory and Ben McMahon, forwards Michael Luxford and Lachlan Rainbow and captain Daniel Schibeci among others.
With several voids needing to be filled homegrown talent was called upon with Lucas Rocci returning to the club while Jack Bonnett, Seth Clayton, Josh Cochrane, Brock Spiteri and Liam O’Mahoney have all taken the opportunity to contribute after producing brilliant football in the Reserves and at Under 18 level.
Werribee Districts got the points on both occasions in the home and away season, the first time on Anzac Day, while the next time the two meet in Round 13 both sides had half a dozen or more of their best players missing, so read into the results as much as you want. What we do know is one team has been there and done it before, while the other is looking to cap a brilliant run with one final victory.
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
Werribee Districts – Chris Gilham
It’s been a bit of a regeneration from the last couple of years after we had some stalwarts of our club finish up at the end of last year. Our way is developing from within, we had a lot of kids playing really good footy at reserves level wanting an opportunity and when that presented this year guys have been good enough to grasp it, improve every week and help keep us up at the pointy end of the ladder which has been really pleasing. Grand Finals you never take them for granted, but it’s a wonderful achievement for our club and it’s the third year in a row that we’ve had all three teams in, Under 18s, Reserves and Seniors. Obviously, they (Hoppers Crossing) have got some great momentum. They’ve had a great finals series and it’s a similar situation to us in 2022 when we finished fifth and went through to the grand final. We know that they’re playing really well, they’re healthy and are going to be hard to beat.
Hoppers Crossing – Jared Polec
It’s massive for this group especially from where they were 12 months ago. This time last year they were pretty down and out but they’ve breathed new life and have come good at the right of the year and are just excited to play and have another chance to win. The core group is there, besides last year they had played in nine straight finals series before that. I always said right from the very start that we would probably go 0-6 before we get our first win, just learning a new style and adapting and for me personally, adjusting to this league and the standards here. The boys bought in and bought into my system and then started playing to their strengths within the system. Both teams last time we played had quite a few players missing so I guess it’s a bit of an unknown but it’s going to be a really high-pressure game. So many players are in form for us at the moment playing really strong finals footy and hopefully that can continue for one more week.
2024 HEAD-TO-HEAD
Round 3 – Hoppers Crossing 12.10 (82) def by Werribee Districts 14.10 (94)
Round 13 – Werribee Districts 13.18 (96) def Hoppers Crossing 11.7 (73)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Werribee Districts – Dillon Viojo-Rainbow
The two-time Barry Priest Medal winner has had another outstanding season and should be in the conversation to receive the same honour for an incredible third time. His possession numbers don’t always jump off the page but what certainly does is the quality of his disposal. Is so damaging in the middle of the ground with his clearance work, precise left-foot kicking and the ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard. A joy to watch.
Hoppers Crossing – Riley Fisher
Another player who doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have a big impact. After a strong home away campaign the Warriors vice-captain has been one of the standout performers in the post season. Enters the Grand Final averaging a tick over 18 possessions, almost eight tackles and two goals from three finals appearances. Part of a dangerous forward-mid rotation that will again be crucial to Hoppers Crossing’s success on Saturday.
DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL DETAILS – SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
Under 18s – Werribee Districts vs Point Cook, 9:15am
Reserves – Werribee Districts vs Yarraville Seddon, 11:45am
Seniors – Werribee Districts vs Hoppers Crossing, 2:30pm
Admission: Adult $22, Concession $17, Kids 17 and under free.
