Werribee ended a 31-year VFL premiership drought, holding on for an epic six-point win over Southport in the east coast state league decider on Sunday evening.
In the battle of stand-alone clubs the Tigers led by 26 points with 11 minutes gone in the final quarter before the Sharks – who themselves led by 19 points late in the second term – stormed back to make it a one-kick game.
But in a frantic final seven minutes they couldn’t add to their scoreline, Werribee holding on for a famous 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63) triumph.
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Werribee captain Dom Brew, named the VFL’s best player after winning the JJ Liston Trophy during the week, was in tears in his post-game interview.
“That’s the life’s work, isn’t it? These boys … we win the minor premiers but we shouldn’t be here. There’s a lot of boys under 22, and I’m so proud of them,” he said on Seven.
“He (our coach) gave us an absolute roasting (at halftime). One of the best I’ve ever copped. Pretty direct. It’s what we needed, we were mucking around, we weren’t playing the way we should’ve.
“Never (worried). Never count us out, mate. There’s people that get knocked down and they don’t get up but us boys from Werribee, we get back up every time and keep going.”
Geelong and ex-Werribee star Shaun Mannagh, who had 28 disposals and six goals to win the Norm Goss Medal in a losing effort last year, presented the award to this year’s winner Jack Henderson (23 disposals, two goals).
Meanwhile in South Australia, the Tigers were also crowned premiers with ex-Richmond player Liam McBean inspiring Glenelg to a second consecutive flag.
But they had to do it the hard way, finishing fourth in the five-team finals system and winning four straight games – beating fifth, second, third and first in order – to defend their crown.
Then on the day, they trailed Norwood at every change, sitting four goals down in the third term and 13 points back at the final break.
But Jack Oatey Medallist and captain McBean inspired them home kicking 7.0 for the day, his last for the lead.
Last year’s Jack Oatey Medallist Lachie Hosie put the Tigers up by 10 points before Declan Hamilton gave Norwood a chance in the final minutes, but it was not to be as Glenelg won 12.9(81) to 11.10 (76).
Meanwhile in the WAFL Grand Final, Fremantle-linked side Peel Thunder led East Perth 4.7 (31) to 3.4 (22) at halftime.
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