Tara Murray
Midway through the opening week of finals, Werribee Districts’ season looked over. Fast forward to two weeks later and the Tigers are in a Western Region Football League division 1 grand final.
After coming from behind to beat Hoppers Crossing, the Tigers then accounted for Deer Park in the semi final.
They then turned it up a notch on Saturday in the preliminary final against minor premiers, Caroline Springs.
In a result that no one saw coming, the Tigers completely dominated after quarter time in the 16.8 (104)-7.14 (56) win.
Speaking in the rooms after the game, Tigers coach Chris Gilham was letting it all soak in.
“Words can’t do justice to it,” he said. “Half time of an elimination final we were 30 points down, now just punched a ticket into the grand final.
“Emotions are running high but the job is not done, make sure we prepare ourselves to get over this high and get back to work to give ourselves our best preparation for next Saturday.”
Gilham said while they were still a pretty young side, they were able to keep a calmness when needed.
He said they knew at quarter time they were in a good position despite the Lakers early dominance.
“We said let’s not panic here, we are in really good shape,” he said. “They can out firing and hit the scoreboard first and dominate in possession count and we were able to absorb and absorb.
“When we got our chance in the second quarter we put some really good play together and took our chances.
“There’s a small margin for quality in finals, both good teams, taking chances, making the momentum count when you have it is huge.”
In the second quarter with the breeze, the Tigers left everyone stunned as they kicked 8.2 to lead by 16 points at the main break.
It was a second successive week that straight kicking in front of goal had set up the win. Gilham said they made a real focus of ensuring that they focus on all areas of the game.
After the break the Tigers were just as good. While the forwards capitalised, their backline did a lot of the hard work.
The Lakers only goal of the second half came right on the final siren. Gilham was full of praise for his defenders.
“They’ve been a free scoring dominating team, real strong front half team to keep them to six goals, keep them goalless for basically a half was an enormous effort,” he said.
“Young defenders, some young half backs and young key position players and the growth and development this year just through experience and playing on good players like they have today is enormous.”
Lachlan Rainbow kicked three goals in the win. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow was named best on ground.
Viojo-Rainbow left the ground in the last quarter limping, with Gilham saying he would be right for the grand final.
The Tigers now face Altona in the grand final. It’s the first time they’ve made the final day of the season since 2015 when they were smashed by Deer Park.
It will be a massive day for the Tigers with their under-18s and reserves also in the grand final.
Gilham said it’s a reward for effort.
“The club has been enormous,” he said. “Eighteens, reserves and seniors all playing in a grand final day, amazing achievement for everyone.
“We’re not the biggest club in the world, we’re hard working committee, hard working crew, hard working players
“What we love about it, 95- 98 per cent of the people play at this footy club started here when they were nine years old, that’s huge, investment and want has all been great,
“We’re pretty excited about what Saturday holds for us.”
