HOPPERS CROSSING CAP 2024 WITH DROUGHT-BREAKING PREMIERSHIP
By Connor Pain |
Hoppers Crossing are 2024 TIV Division 1 Senior premiers after a stunning one-point win against 2023 champions Werribee Districts in a game that will go down as a WFNL instant classic.
Holding on after a last-minute flurry from the reigning premiers, the Warriors complete a remarkable turnaround in the space of 12 months going from wooden spooners in 2023 to premiership winners from fifth place.
It was Werribee Districts who got off to the better start as they kicked the game’s opening three goals, but in showing the form that saw them win three finals in comprehensive fashion leading to the grand final, Hoppers Crossing hit back quickly with back-to-back goals in 90 seconds thanks to Riley and Ryan Kitchen.
Both coaches stressed calm at the quarter time break yet it was Jared Polec’s message that became prophetic in the second term. Stating that the game could be won in the second, Hoppers Crossing kicked five goals in the final 15 minutes of the term to break the game wide open and head into the main break up by 27 points.
You’d have been forgiven for thinking it was the Warriors who were reigning premiers entering the decider as they had all the answers early.
But not looking to go down without a fight despite a five-goal deficit at the half, Werribee Districts would come back out hungry after being second-best in the first half.
The arm wrestle saw neither side kick a major for over 10 minutes after the restart with Lucas Rocci breaking the deadlock, one of Districts’ best over the afternoon.
Despite a quick response by Hoppers Crossing, Werribee stuck fat and booted four goals in a row to end the third having trimmed a 27-point deficit to just one entering the last quarter of the season.
With everything to play for both sides threw everything at the wall, and it produced one of the best quarters in league history.
Harry Maguire added his fourth goal of the day early on before a Harley Armstrong-Weston major in time on looked to have all but sealed the win.
Werribee Districts weren’t going to die wondering though and with one more roll of the dice nailed three goals in the last six minutes, two courtesy of veteran Tim Jenkins.
But time just wasn’t on their side as Hoppers Crossing capped a perfect finals series and season turnaround with the 13.12 (90) to 14.5 (89) premiership win.
Jed Anderson was named best-on ground, with Armstrong-Weston and Ashlin Brown immense in the drought breaking triumph that gave Hoppers Crossing their first senior premiership since 2004 and the Warriors’ third flag in their 52-year history.
FINAL SCORE
Hoppers Crossing: 2.2 9.6 10.6 13.12 (90)
Werribee Districts: 3.1 5.3 10.5 14.5 (89)
GOALS
Hoppers Crossing: Harry Maguire 4, Riley Kitchen 3, Riley Fisher 2, Harley Armstrong-Weston, Ryan Kitchen, Liam McMahon, Josh Pickess.
Werribee Districts: Tim Jenkins 3, Lachlan Rainbow 3, Michael Luxford 2, Josh Mould 2, Lucas Rocci 2, Seth Clayton, Callan Gilboy.
BEST PLAYERS
Hoppers Crossing: Jed Anderson, Harley Armstrong-Weston, Harry Maguire, Riley Fisher, Riley Kitchen, David Barbieri.
Werribee Districts: Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Harrison White, Lucas Rocci, Joshua Mould, Ethan Di Battista, Brock Spiteri.