Werribee fell short of a drought-breaking premiership on Sunday going down to the Gold Coast Suns by 19-points in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final at IKON Park.

Chasing a second VFA/VFL premiership, 30 years on from the club’s lone grand final triumph in 1993 it wasn’t to be for Werribee as their 17-game unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of the Suns.

The Big W matched it with their more fancied opponents for long periods but failed to capitalise on opportunities while Gold Coast just had a little bit more class and firepower with 20 AFL-listed players in their side.

Werribee star Shaun Mannagh was the best player on the ground and duefuly received the Norm Goss Medal after an incredible performance that included six goals and 27 disposals.  

Werribee made two changes from its preliminary final team for the decider with Keegan Gray coming in for Matt Keast, while Connor Thar who kicked three goals to help the Tigers past the Lions, was a late out with Harry Grintell his replacement.

On the biggest stage of the year, it took Werribee several minutes to settle into the game with the Suns kicking the opening two goals through Chris Burgess and Mabior Chol. It would be Mannagh who kick started Werribee's day, converting a set shot from 40 metres at the 11-minute mark before getting the crowd on their feet with a volley out of the air to level things up just moments later.

Bior Malual produced some highlights in the opening term with a flashy sidestep on the wing, and a tackle on the line to deny a certain goal. Blows were traded late, with a Hudson Garoni mark and goal keeping Werribee in touch as the Suns went into the first break with a seven-point buffer.

Following an early Gold Coast behind to start the second it was all Werribee for the next 13 minutes. After a couple of minor scores a Mannagh check-side gave Werribee its first major of the quarter before a Jack Henderson bomb from the 50 gave the Big W the lead halfway through the term.

Gold Coast responded with a strong 10 minutes of their own kicking four straight goals before Mannagh again stepped up, with his fourth goal reducing the margin to 10 points and wrestling some momentum back for the Big W ahead of the main break.

Werribee went to the half with 53 more possessions and 10 more inside 50s with Mannagh, Matt Hanson, Sam Clohesy and Kye Declase the team's best performers in the opening 60 minutes of play.

The Suns dominated play in the third, again kicking four consecutive goals to push the margin out to a game-high 38 points. With Werribee’s backs against the wall, it took a special effort from Kye Declase, spinning out of one tackle and stepping by another before firing through a much needed major to end a scoreless 25-minute period.

Harry Grintell then found himself on the end of Tom Gribbble handball and slotted home to reduce the margin to 26, while a Sam Day miss after the siren made the difference 27 points with a quarter to play.

Werribee’s famous victory over the Suns in Round 9 had them facing a 29-point deficit to start the last, so it wasn’t unfamiliar territory for the Big W with it all to play for in the final stanza. And after Michael Barlow’s last address of the year the Big W came out firing.

Mannagh registered his fifth goal in the opening three minutes with a brilliant running effort from a centre square stoppage. Not long after Grintell snapped around the body for his second of and it was back to a 15-point game. But as they’d done all day the Suns again responded, a quick fire three goals pushed their advantage back to 31 points through 15 minutes.

A quick reply came via Sam Paea and then Keagan Gray nailed a set shot from the arc to bring Werribee within 19 points at the 22-minute mark. Two more Gold Coast goals would all but confirm the result with the ball living in Werribee’s forward half for the final stages of match.

However, repeat stoppages made things all too difficult, before Matt Hanson capped a brilliant performance with a consolation goal after the final siren, bringing the curtain down on a magnificent season for Werribee but a win short of the ultimate prize.

Werribee: 3.1 6.5 8.5 14.9 (93)
Gold Coast: 4.2 8.3 12.8 17.10 (112)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 6, H. Grintell 2, S. Paea, J. Henderson, M. Hanson, K. Gray, K. Declase.
Gold Coast: M. Chol 4, B. McLaughlin 3, C. Burgess 3, A. Sexton 2, S. Day 2, J. Sharp, L. Lombard, C. Lake.

BEST
Werribee: S. Mannagh, M. Hanson, S. Clohesy, L. Pinncuk, T. Gribble, K. Declase.

GRAND FINAL IMAGE GALLERY 1 - VIEW HERE

GRAND FINAL IMAGE GALLERY 2 - VIEW HERE