WERRIBEE DISTRICTS PREMIERS IN EXTRA TIME FINISH

Werribee Districts are TIV Division 1 Senior Men’s premiers for second time in three seasons after a thrilling extra-time victory over Caroline Springs in Saturday’s season finale.

With scores tied at 62-apiece at the end of four quarters an extra-time period of two five-minute halves plus time-on was needed with Werribee Districts kicking two crucial goals to prevail 11.9 (75) to 9.9 (63) at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

The final margin of 12 points is what Chris Gilham’s side led by with a little more than five minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter, before the Lakers booted back-to-back goals to level scores with just moments remaining.

It wasn’t for the first time that the two teams had played extra-time against each other with last year’s Major Semi Final won by Werribee Districts in an additional period.

On this occasion it was again Werribee Districts who had the answers as the minor premiers made sure they didn’t miss out on the major prize for the second straight year.

Earlier in the day it was Caroline Springs who started brightest with Jamie Ristoski kicking the first two goals of the game to give the Lakers an early advantage after seven minutes of play.

Not long after Werribee Districts captain Dillon Viojo-Rainbow calmed any nerves for his side with a brilliant snapped stoppage goal, before both teams traded blows back and forth on the scoreboard, with a late Reece Blackman major putting Caroline Springs 12 points up, late in first.

Just two goals were scored in the second quarter with Flynn Delaney adding Werribee’s fourth at the seven-and-a-half-minute mark while Caroline Springs’ only major came via a Ryan Allan set shot 10 minutes later with the Lakers taking a 14-point lead into the main break.

Lachlan Rainbow gave Werribee a perfect start to the second half kicking his first goal of the afternoon just 90 seconds into the third term, however Caroline Springs offered a relatively quick reply before more than 20 minutes passed without another major.

The next three came in little time though with Dan Nielson kicking truly after a strong mark 30 metres out and just moments later the league’s leading goal kicker added his second from the goal square to give Werribee its first lead since scoring the opening behind of the game.

And it didn’t end there with Harrison White’s running finish sending the Werribee players and supporters into raptures as they went from 11 points down to seven points up ahead of the last.

In the final quarter a Ben McMahon goal after 15 minutes was the only major until the 22-minute mark as the Lakers made one final push with Blackman and then Tate Wood nailing goals from almost the identical spot at the top of the 50.

Wood’s clutch conversion was the score that would take the game to extra-time.

In extra-time Rainbow became the hero for Werribee Districts, with five minutes off the clock in the first of two overtime periods he booted at set shot from right on 50 and a minute later goaled with a snap over his left shoulder.

They would be the match winning blows with Caroline Springs unable to mount one final challenge as both teams could only add a single behind each in the final exchanges of the game.

At the final siren it was jubilation for Werribee Districts as they claimed their second premiership from their fourth straight Grand Final appearance, and heartache for Caroline Springs as Brian Lake’s men gave their all but ultimately came up short in their first trip to a TIV Division 1 Senior Men’s decider.

Werribee Districts def Caroline Springs (in extra-time) 

Werribee Districts: 3.2 4.4 8.8 9.8 | 11.9 (75)
Caroline Springs: 5.2 6.2 7.9 9.8 | 9.9 (63)

Best on ground (umpires): Cooper Pepi (Caroline Springs)

Goal Kickers
Werribee Districts: Lachlan Rainbow 3, Daniel Nielson 2, Flynn Delaney, Jack Fletcher, Callan Gilboy, Ben McMahon, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Harrison White.
Caroline Springs: Reece Blackman 3, Jamie Ristoski 2, Tate Wood 2, Ryan Allan, Cooper Pepi.

Best Players
Werribee Districts: Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Joshua Mould, Ben McMahon, Flynn Delaney, Callan Gilboy, Jack Bonnett.
Caroline Springs: Cooper Pepi, Alexander Paech, Lewis Tudor, Jamie Ristoski, Tate Wood, Benjamin Davey.