WERRIBEE and the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association first XI grand final in the same sentence – it sure has a nice ring to it.
The Tigers have made it happen for the first time since 1995-96, after 17 years in the wilderness.
This is a super-impressive Tigers outfit that has defied the weight of history in an incredible summer.
SEE: Tigers slaughter Elsternwick
The players who will take to the field against Melton at MacPherson Park in the season-decider on Saturday and Sunday you just know will do the city of Wyndham proud.
They have shown resilience all summer, to go with their skill and class.
The finals series has thrown several curve balls the Tigers’ way, but the players have remained focused and simply got on with the job.
They have a proud and passionate president in Ivo Havard, a strong coaching panel consisting of Havard, Jeff Dean and David Dodemaide, and quality on-field leaders in Shaun Dean and Tim O’Brien, who set the right examples for their team.
It’s a set-up that was bound to bring quick success. While the weight of history might have strained the Tigers, it is not all bad. The last time they won a flag, they did so over arch rivals Melton and did it on the road. “Hopefully history is on our side,” captain Shaun Dean said with a chuckle. “It could be a bit of an omen for us.”
Melton, the minor premiers, and Werribee, who finished second, have been far and away the best two sides in the south-west group this season.
So it’s fitting that these two great western rivals will play off for the holy grail.
Whenever these two towns go at it on the sporting field, it is fierce and the bragging rights last a lifetime. It will be no different this weekend.
“There’s a bit of a rivalry,” Dean said.
“There’s a lot of history between the two clubs.
“A lot of Melton people know a lot of Werribee people, so there should be a fair crowd there.”
The last time the two sides met was at Chirnside Park in October.
The Tigers prevailed in a one-day game by eight wickets and will gain a lot of confidence from that.
But Melton has proved its credentials time and again in this competition. It holds the No.1 finals ranking for a reason and has the local knowledge of hosting the grand final.
This is a genuine toss-of-the-coin affair.
It promises to be a ripper.
