Glory Awaits: TIV Division One Grand Final Week
By Evan Tudor
The curtain will close on the 2026 WFNL TIV Division One season on Saturday, with the pristine Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval set to be the backdrop for three blockbuster Grand Finals.
TIV Division One Seniors – Werribee Districts v Caroline Springs
Werribee Districts and Caroline Springs will face off in this weekend’s blockbuster WFNL TIV Division One Seniors Grand Final.
In a rematch of last year’s decider, Werribee Districts will be looking to go back-to-back, while Caroline Springs is out for its first ever TIV Division One flag.
The Districts and the Lakers met twice in the home and away season, with the black and gold taking bragging rights on both occasions by 30 points in Round 1 and nine points Round 12.
Chris Gilham coached Districts into securing its spot in the Grand Final after a 16-point win over Yarraville Seddon in the Major Semi Final.
Brian Lake’s Caroline Springs side has taken the extended route to reach Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, knocking off the Eagles in last Saturday’s 19-point win Preliminary Final win.
And while the Lakers haven’t tasted victory over Werribee Districts in more than a year, Saturday provides the perfect opportunity for Caroline Springs to take revenge and raise its first ever TIV Division One Seniors trophy.
With an impressive list from full forward to full back, the Lakers will look to go full throttle.
One of the league’s standout defenders, Ben Caluzzi had 41 disposals last weekend which maintained his average of six intercept possessions and nine rebound fifties that highlight him as a formidable defender.
Malik Elfakahani and Steven Kyriazis provide the Lakers with confidence in front of goal. The tremendous duo has combined for 100 goals this season.
And amongst it all for the Lakers is Zen Christofi who is a trusty Sherrin winner with an average of 25 possessions.
Is 2026 finally the year of the Lakers?
Werribee Districts will look to become the first side to win consecutive premierships since Deer Park’s remarkable seven-peat across 2013 to 2019.
Sean Gregory has been impressive in the last line of defence for Districts, with an excess of eight intercept possessions a common display.
Harrison White has proven time and time again to be one of the best in the midfield, often attracting over 25 touches of the footy.
And looking to shape up as Districts’ best attack on goal is Daniel Nielson who leads his club with 58 goals this year.
Regardless of the result, history will be made on Saturday.
Will the Lakers finally etch themselves on top of the WFNL mountain, or will it be another case of too good, too strong, for Werribee Districts?
TIV Division One Reserves – Werribee Districts v Sunshine
The TIV Division One Reserves premiership will be up for grabs when Werribee Districts and Sunshine lock horns.
It’ll be a battle of finals veterans and finals novices, with Districts looking to clinch its fourth piece of reserves silverware in five years while the Kangaroos aim for their maiden TIV Division One Reserves flag.
This year’s minor premier, Werribee Districts booked its spot in the Grand Final with an 11-point win over Caroline Springs in the Major Semi Final two weeks back.
Concluding the home and away season with an impressive 17-1 record, Districts have proved that their no easy beats.
Tyson Diczku will be one wearing the black and gold looking to end his season in style after a campaign that has already seen him dazzle football fields with 56 goals and nine best-on namings from 12 matches.
Shaun McGuinness will look to join teammate Diczku on the scoreboard, with one of Werribee Districts’ best scoring a mammoth 77 goals from 17 matches.
Will this be the year that Werribee Districts goes back-to-back?
Having already made a statement that is impossible to ignore, Sunshine has won three do-or-die lead up finals to book its place in the Grand Final.
The Kangaroos concluded the home and away season on the ladder’s fifth rung with an 11-7 record and have played like true champions in the finals series.
The blue and gold have successfully knocked off Yarraville Seddon, Parkside, and Caroline Springs to stand where it is today, just one win away from premiership glory.
The Kangaroos have previously tasted reserves premiership success in the 2024 Division Two competition but are yet to win one in TIV Division One. Will this Saturday finally be their time?
One of the best in Kangaroos’ colours this year has been Jack Noonan who has been named the side’s best-on-ground in 11 of 15 matches.
Jackson Cauchi also boasts similar efforts, with seven best-ons coming from 10 of his reserves matches, kicking two goals in last weekend’s preliminary final.
In the only meeting between Werribee Districts and Sunshine this season, it was Districts that was singing after a 65-point win.
Will Districts make it back-to-back flags, or will Sunshine create history?
Division One Under 18s – Newport v Spotswood
Premiership glory is on the line for Newport and Spotswood in the Division One Under 18s decider.
With hopes of going back-to-back, Newport is seeking its second premiership in the competition on Saturday.
17-time premiers in this competition, the Woodsman will look to make amends for their narrow loss to the Panthers in the Major Semi Final when it matters most.
One of the standouts in the green and gold is midfielder Beau Lagos, and he’ll be one to watch on Saturday.
Kicking two goals in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final against Werribee Districts, Lagos is a star across the centre of the ground and in front of the big sticks.
William Blair has also been impressive, being named the best-on in ten out of his 18 matches.
And with 62 goals between them this season, Newport’s backline will look to clamp down on Spotty’s Joshua Sagona and William Scothern
Having had last weekend off following its thrilling Major Semi Final win over Spotswood, Newport will be hoping for a more comfortable display against the Woodsman.
Hudson Pasco and Artisan Sairat kicked three a-piece in that match and have been some of the Panthers’ best in front of goal.
And leading the club with 11 best-on namings, Remy Trevaskis will be looking to close off another Under 18s campaign in style.
With both opposing teams being two of this year’s standouts in the competition, who will prevail and take the ultimate bragging rights of premiers?