Hoppers Crossing’s flag defence came to an end on Sunday as it suffered an eight-point defeat to Yarraville-Seddon in their Western Football League division 1 semi-final.
The Warriors, who won last year’s flag from fifth, looked down and out when they trailed by 37 points in time on of the second term of the clash at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
But Jared Polec’s side booted the next seven goals to lead by four points at the four-minute mark of the last quarter.
Lachlan Green had the final say, however, nailing the last two majors of the match as Yarraville-Seddon secured a rousing eight-point win, 10.10 (70)-9.8 (62).
President John Semertzidis said a slow start proved costly, with Hoppers Crossing failing to capitalise on the advantage of the breeze.
“I think the first quarter was an issue and cost us, but that’s OK, that’s the way it goes,“ Semertzidis said.
“This time last year, the ball was bouncing in our favour. This time this year, it was bouncing towards other teams.
“They (the players) were disappointed. We were setting ourselves up for a good finals series.
“Jared’s message was pretty clear that we lost it in the first quarter. You’ve got to fight for everything, and we just didn’t take the moments.
“But we’ve got a fairly young group and we’ll regroup and start again next year … and make it hurt a little bit for pre-season.“
Ashlin Brown, Braden Ferrari, Josh Pickess (four goals), Anarkiikonda Van Wills, Liam McMahon and Tevyn Wanigasekera led the way in defeat.
Semertzidis said the club was optimistic about the future with the likes of Ferrari, Sam Clifford and Footscray-listed VFL player Bailey Young among those to recommit for 2026.
“These blokes are in our age group demographic, late 20s, and still at the peak of their powers,“ he said.
The Warriors improved their home-and-away wins tally from eight and a half last year to 13 and swept aside Spotswood in the elimination final.
“We improved as a side holistically through the year,“ Semertzidis said.
“We also got to blood a few young guys, which is going to hold us better for next year, and we’ve been re-signing most of our group for next year and beyond, which is also a good sign that they’re all in it to go bigger and better next year.“
With premiership coach Polec locked in until the end of 2027, Semertzidis said Hoppers Crossing would chase a midfielder over the off-season.
He said the return of vice-captain Riley Fisher after an injury-interrupted campaign would also be important.
“I think we can take positives from the year. It’s disappointing to be knocked out, but we also know where we’re at,“ Semertzidis said.
