Season Complete: TIV Division One Grand Finals Reviewed
By Evan Tudor
TIV Division One Seniors
WERRIBEE DISTRICTS 8.15 (63) def. by CAROLINE SPRINGS 14.12 (96)
Caroline Springs has summited the WFNL TIV Division One Seniors mountain for the first time in a commanding 33-point victory over the defending premiers Werribee Districts.
In front of a packed Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, players, officials, supporters, and onlookers alike were treated to fine display of local footy, with Districts aiming for back-to-back flags, and the Lakers eyeing a maiden topflight premiership.
Caroline Springs opened the contest in fast fashion, with Malik Elfakahani (three goals) kicking the Lakers’ first two majors inside the opening five minutes.
They would be the only goals struck in the first term, with an inaccurate Districts outfit kicking itself after missed opportunities saw it bring up five wayward behinds.
As the quarter wore on, the Lakers’ defence grew stronger, with Caroline Springs displaying courageous tackling that prevented Werribee Districts from retaliating with a goal.
The margin was brought back to eight points at halftime in favor of Caroline Springs, with Werribee Districts again not making the most of their opportunities in the forward line, kicking 2.6 (18) for the term after they increased their attack into the forward line,
The Lakers were also subject to a quarter of wayward kicking, with the 2.4 (16) term allowing the side to just keep their heads above the water.
Strong in defence, Caroline Springs’ backline played a huge role in keeping their team afloat while their forwards broke past a struggling Districts’ defensive line.
And with the margin sitting at 13 points at the final change, Caroline Springs went on to make a second-half statement, kicking 6.3 (39) to 3.1 (19) to secure its premiership glory.
Awarded the Herb Pascarl Medal, Laker Alexander Paech was a key influence in his side’s victory, proving dominant in the ruck, winning contest after contest, and initiating many forward plays.
Alipate Bryant held very strong in full back for Caroline Springs, often using his abilities to ward off Werribee Districts onslaughts.
Jesse Cavanagh and Jamie Ristoski joined Elfakahani in scoring three goals.
Biar Biar, Zen Christofi, Ben Davey, and co-captains Cooper Pepi and Max Tessari all kicked one apiece.
While it may have been upstaged in the contest and overrun on the scoreboard, Werribee Districts never gave up.
Rani Pavlidis stood out as a quick and attacking forward to kick two goals alongside Lachlan Rainbow as both were the key forward targets for their team.
Macauli Buck, Joshua Mould, Daniel Nielson, and Bailey Siwek were also part of Districts’ goalkicking group, all with lone majors.
While Werribee Districts were denied the chance of going back-to-back and claiming its third premiership in four years, the black and gold holds it head high knowing a strong football program is thriving at Soldiers Reserve, with recent Grand Final success and Saturday’s reserves premiership a testament to this.
Raising its first seniors’ flag since the Division Two premiership in 2016, Caroline Springs finally adds a TIV Division One trophy to the cabinet.
TIV Division One Reserves
WERRIBEE DISTRICTS 19.13 (127) def. SUNSHINE 7.6 (48)
Werribee Districts secured back-to-back premiership flags in the TIV Division One Reserves in its 79-point win over Sunshine.
After a quiet opening term that saw just the one goal put up on the board by Districts, the black and gold held a narrow seven-point lead at the changeover.
But it was from thereon that Districts stamped its authority down on the game, extending its lead out to 21 points at halftime and then 55 points at three quarter time.
And while it was a tough ask for Sunshine in the final quarter, the Kangaroos put the margin to one side and produced their highest scoring term of the game at 4.1 (25), more than doubling their score from the past three terms of play.
Pach Alaat led the Kangaroos’ scoring with two, while Jackson Cauchi, King Le, Marcus Mangion, Jarryd Scotland, and Trent Waring all found one.
Werribee Districts’ Tyson Diczku put on a masterclass with five goals to see him awarded the best on ground medal.
Shaun McGuinness, Garrett Spinks, and Jordan Viojo-Rainbow also put on a clinic with three apiece.
While the result may be a bitter pill to swallow for Sunshine, the Kangaroos should remain incredibly proud of their efforts that saw them reach the Grand Final after finishing fifth on the ladder and knocking off some of the competition’s strongest sides in the finals series.
It is back-to-back flags for Werribee Districts, with the side’s fourth reserves premiership in five years highlighting what is such a strong football program at Soldiers Reserve.
TIV Division One Under 18s
NEWPORT 8.6 (54) def. by SPOTSWOOD 8.10 (58)
In front of what was a very enthusiastic crowd at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Spotswood held on in a four-point thriller against Newport to clinch the TIV Division One Under 18s premiership.
The Woodsman jumped out to a flying start, leading at the first three breaks by seven, 21, and 24 points respectively.
But after Spotty’s Lukas Hales put through his second goal of the match early in the fourth term, things started to change.
Staring down the barrel of a 30-point deficit, the Panthers began to claw their way back into the contest by kicking the next four goals to startle the Woodsman.
Amongst the flurry of Newport goals was a double from Archie King who struck goal twice in ten minutes.
And as the clock continued to tick down, Newport continued to edge its way closer to another goal, but time was ultimately against them.
Holding on by their teeth, Spotswood secured its eighteenth flag in the division.
William Scothern was another one in green and gold to strike goal twice, while Xavier Brandham, Xavier Howe, Beau Lagos, and Billy McGregor all kicked one apiece.
It was a similar spread of goalkicking talent for Newport, with Hudson Pasco joining teammate King as another Panther to score twice.
Zayne El Kurdi, Mohammed Elkurdi, and Jacob Hasna were an impactful trio of Panthers, each finding one goal of their own.
Both Spotswood and Newport continue to prove their Under 18s programs are thriving, with both sets of players featuring in Saturday’s Grand Final set to move into the ranks of senior football in 2027.