Tara Murray
The dream is alive for Werribee as it is through to a second straight Victorian Football League grand final.
After claiming their first minor premiership since 2005, the Tigers made it back-to-back grand finals with a hard fought win against the Brisbane Lions in a preliminary final on Saturday.
The Tigers will this Sunday go for their second VFL premiership, with the only other one back in 1993.
For the Tigers, it’s a different group to 12 months ago but it’s ended in the same result of another grand final.
Coach Jimmy Allan said it was pretty pleasing to be back in the final game of the year.
Allan, who spent two years at the club in the early 2000s, returned to the club in the off season after Michael Barlow joined North Melbourne.
“To be honest, I had really high expectations coming in, never so much as result driven,” he said. “It was all about process and if we could get things right there was no limit on how far we could go.
“You don’t set those lofty goals, but as the season progresses you win a few games and you find yourself on top of the ladder and beating sides that are highly fancied.
“The expectations grow and we’re at a point where half way through the season we thought we might be able to get to, it’s really exciting.”
The Tigers and Lions were met with tough conditions at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
There was wind, hail and even a bit of sun at times as they faced off in a preliminary final for a second straight year.
Allan said while many people thought the conditions would have suited them, he didn’t think it was the case.
The conditions meant the game was an arm wrestle for a half. The Tigers were then able to find a way in the second half to win, 10.6 (66)-6.10 (46).
The Tigers kicked the last three goals of the game to seal the result.
“It was a tough game, but to come out on top was very pleasing,” Allan said. “We did everything in our power to just hang in there in the third quarter.
“I feel like if they had have kicked another goal or two it would have put a bit more scoreboard pressure on us with the wind.
“Some panic may have set in, but to our guys’ credit, we stayed within two goals and there was a really strong belief at three quarter time that we would come home strongly.
“Our last quarter was probably as good as footy as we had played.”
While the Lions couldn’t convert in the third quarter with the wind, the Tigers kicked 6.1 in the final quarter with the wind.
Allan said they didn’t allow the Lions to have easy shots in the third quarter, but then they were able to get some looks in the final quarter from really dangerous spots.
He said that was the difference in the end.
For the Tigers, it was the leaders that really led the way.
Acting skipper Dom Brew, had 28 disposals while also laying 15 tackles. Jack Henderson and Louis Pinnuck also had plenty of the ball.
Allan said the leaders had stood up when they’ve needed them the most this season.
“I grabbed the leaders after the game,” he said. “For at least the last three weeks, they’ve been outstanding every week.
“The guys who were playing, Dom Brew, Jack Henderson, Louis Pinnuck, Jesse Clark and Nick Hayes have been outstanding.
“They were all great today [Saturday] but they’ve been great the last three weeks when we’ve really needed them to stand up.
“They are dragging the other guys along with them.”
Aidan Johnson and Hudson Garoni up forward were also outstanding in tricky conditions, while Jalen Pavlidis, who came back into the side, found his feet late.
Allan said they would look to enjoy the week heading into the grand final.
He said grand finals weeks are the best weeks in football.
The Tigers now face another standalone side in Southport in the grand final.
The last time they played the Sharks got the win in a thriller against the Tigers, who won the first game this season between the teams.
“It’s a great opportunity to have a crack at a good side,” Allan said. “Having Southport through, the beauty with a standalone club you have a fair idea of who is playing.”
“In the end it will be who can execute better.”
Allan said they would have some selection headaches heading into the game.
Kobe Annand is available for selection after missing the preliminary final through suspension.
Angus Hicks was available for selection on Saturday, but missed out.
Allan said apart from captain Nick Coughlan, they’re probably as healthy as they have been all season.
