Werribee Districts performed a stunning role reversal to outplay Hoppers Crossing by 47 points in the Western Region Football League division 1 qualifying final at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers lost to Hoppers by 76 points only two weeks ago, but captain Matt Dean told Star Weekly that was not a true reflection of his side’s abilities.
“We knew we didn’t perform to our capabilities when we played out there,” he said on Saturday.
“We had a good feeling about it turning up today and, obviously, we’re pretty happy with today’s result.”
The Tigers have won two finals-like games to set up a second semi-final date with minor premiers Deer Park.
They are suddenly one win away from the grand final and have built up a head of steam in the past two weeks.
“Momentum is huge in a finals series,” Dean said. “We had a do-or-die game last week, when we beat Spotswood to advance to this final.
“To have two very good wins against quality opposition …”
The Tigers are not daunted by the Deer Park challenge, as they beat the two-time defending champions by 55 points in their last meeting.
The Lions will still go in as favourites, having lost just two games this season and with lots of finals experience, but they are shaky after losing to Hoppers Crossing by 73 points last outing.
“Their talls are hard to match up on and they’ve got some quality ball users in the midfield,” Dean said.
“We’re going to have our work cut out that’s for sure, but in the back of your mind, you know you can be good enough to beat them.
“If you bring the right attitude, you can beat anyone.”
All the more impressive about the Tigers win over Hoppers Crossing was their ability to cover the losses of three key players. Ruckman Jameel Sargent and defenders Joey Halloran and Lachie Patterson were out through injury.
Warriors ruckman Wayde Skipper was easily the most dominant big man on the ground, but Dean was thrilled with the jobs that youngsters Nick Johnston and Kurt Mayne did to limit the damage.
“He’s such a dominant ruckman, he can almost do anything he wants,” Dean lamented.
“All we can do is try to nullify his influence in the centre as best we can as you know he’s going to get first hands on it most of the time.”
Despite Skipper’s influence, the Tigers led at every change, though it was not until late in the fourth quarter that they felt comfortable.
Ryan Harrington put in a commanding performance to finish with six goals for the Tigers. Andrew Panayi snared four and Lachlan McDowell kicked three from the midfield.
There was a fairly even contribution across the board for the Tigers and that is what it is going to take over the next three weeks if they are to realise their dream of winning a premiership.
“There’s absolutely no superstars in our team,” Dean said.
“If all 22 of us come to play, we can beat pretty much anyone.”
In Sunday’s elimination final, Spotswood overcame the fast-finishing Altona Vikings by 18 points, setting up a win-or-perish semi final with Hoppers Crossing at Grant Reserve on Sunday.
Lance Jenkinson
