Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing coach Jared Polec says it’s a surreal experience to take the Warriors to the Western Football League division 1 premiership in his first year in charge.
Polec took over the coaching role after a tough 2023 season where the Warriors won just two games and finished bottom.
They were able to turn it around and on Saturday claimed the ultimate prize, beating Werribee Districts, 13.12 (90)-14.5 (89).
“The bones was always there,” Polec said of the side. “The previous nine years before last year they had finished in the finals.
“They had the squad, it was just about resetting the beliefs and bringing in a new life and new system and they brought in.
“Once we became a finals contender, we thought we would become a threat. But to win it, definitely surreal.”
Polec said the most pleasing thing for him was to bring premiership joy to the group of players that stuck around after the 2023 season.
The Warriors had no expectations heading into the season and that continued into the grand final.
It was a strong start against the Tigers on Saturday and led by 27 points at half time.
Polec said they were able to get off to a good start, before the Tigers reduced the margin to one point heading into the final quarter.
“In the second quarter we broke clear and credit to Werribee, they are a really strong physical side.,” he said.
“They just never give up. Chris [Gilham] has done a good job with that side over three years, no doubt another premiership contender next year.
“They were the best side all year and we beat them on the day.”
Polec said heading into the final quarter that he always had faith in the group and that they could hold on.
He said there was a bit of panic but things had changed for this group.
“Previously we would have folded that game and lost by 20-30 points,” Polec said. “Especially early in the season.
“The boys stuck at it. It’s a good learning point and I think it’ll be a pressure release for a lot of those boys that had fallen short those couple of times.”
There were plenty of key moments late for both sides, with one standing out for Polec in ensuring his team got over the line.
“Chris Dounas’ effort on the wing late summed it up,” he said. “A young kid, played just enough senior games to qualify for the finals series.
“Came big a minute and half out and it summed up our day, key moments that we won.”
Polec’s great mate Jed Anderson was named best on ground. The pair played together at North Melbourne.with Anderson joining the Warriors with Polec.
“From the playing point of view, we all know what Jed can bring,” Polec said of Anderson. “He is tough, he is hard.
“It’s the work that he does away from the ball and the education that he gives to our group which is second to none.
“He has taught the guys… Having him play that style and you see the boys learning off him in game.”
The premiership is the Warriors first in 20 years. Polec said he was so happy for the club and certain people who had been around for a number of years.
He said he hopes that is the start of the beginning of something special and they can be finals contenders every year, like Werribee Districts which has played in the past three grand finals.
“We’ve signed pretty much every player and 80 per cent of our list are two years,” he said. “We are a very stable club and that is something that I wanted to bring. I wanted to bring in a mindset of being a stable club, something it hasn’t been the last couple of years.
“Signing players to two year contracts, I guess it’s easier to recruit for certain players. We’re in a really good position to go at it again.”
