Werribee booked a second preliminary final berth in two years with a 21-point qualifying final victory over Geelong in the first week of Smithy's VFL Finals Series in front of a huge crowd at Avalon Airport Oval.

A hot start ignited by Werribee’s small forwards saw Werribee kick the first three goals of the game to establish a 17-point lead at quarter-time. From there, Werribee never looked back, finishing with an 8.9.57 to Geelong's 5.6.36.

Fresh from clinching the club's first minor premiership in 19 years, Werribee now has the week off and will await the winner of the Brisbane and Williamstown semi-final.

Jack Henderson continued his outstanding form and was a class above once again on the weekend, gathering 22 disposals, six clearances, six tackles all while going at a near 80% disposal efficiency.

Dom Brew and Riley Bice also showed no signs of slowing down in finals, with the stand-in captain picking up 33 disposals and nine tackles, and Bice accumulating a career-high 35 disposals to go with nine marks and seven rebound 50s.

Bior Malual was outstanding, impacting both ends of the ground with multiple goals and 17 disposals.

Nathan Cooper, in his first game back since suffering a syndesmosis injury in round 14, was tasked with shutting down 200-game AFL veteran Gary Rohan. Cooper showed why he’s considered one of the best key defender in the competition, limiting Rohan to just six disposals while collecting 14 disposals, seven marks, and five intercept possessions himself.

Fellow defenders Louis Pinnuck (22 disposals and 10 marks), Jesse Clark (21 disposals and nine marks) and Sam Azzi (nine spoils) were also instrumental in holding Geelong, who averaged over 85 points per game during the home-and-away season, to just five goals.

After a tightly contested opening 15 minutes where neither side could gain the upper hand, Flynn Young broke the deadlock with a classy finish to score the first goal of the day. Following this, Zac Banch's electric pressure led to two quick goals: one after catching Jyhe Clark holding the ball, and another when Banch intercepted a Marcus Herbert handball in the forward pocket, setting up Jay Dahlhaus.

This saw Werribee take a 17-point lead into quarter-time.

Geelong struck first in the second quarter, but Werribee quickly responded with two consecutive goals, taking a 29-point lead into half-time. Hudson Garoni, after finishing third in the Frosty Miller Medal, kicked his first goal of the game, extending his streak of kicking a goal in every game this season. Garoni then set up Malual for his first goal, converting a set shot for Werribee’s fifth late in the second term.

A hard fought third quarter saw just the two goals kicked. Geelong, through Kaelen Bradtke kicked the first and looked to take momentum into the last quarter, before a timely snapping goal from Jay Dahlhauas, his second of the day, just before three-quarter time steadied the Tigers and extended their lead to 27 points heading into the final quarter.

The early stages of the last quarter was goal-for-goal, with Malual converting his second set shot of the day, which saw the wingman kick multiple goals for the first time of the season. With the game entering time-on, Harry Grintell, who used the wind perfectly, sealed the game with a classy goal as Werribee ran out as 21-point winners. 

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FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 3.1 5.7 6.8 8.9 (57)
Geelong: 0.2 1.2 2.5 5.6 (36)

GOALS:
Werribee: J. Dahlhaus (2), B. Malual (2), Z. Banch, H. Garoni, H. Grintell, F. Young
Geelong: J. Clark (2), K. Bradtke, T. Clohesy, P. Foster

BEST PLAYERS: 
Werribee: J. Henderson, D. Brew, N. Cooper, Z. Banch, L. Pinnuck, C. Thar

With Werribee securing their first minor premiership in 19 years, the finals berth provided the opportunity for 13 players to represent the Big W at the local level during the wildcard round. Read how they went in this week’s Weekly Player Report:

Geelong Football Netball League:

Olivier Northam - St. Joseph’s
Olly Northam had a massive game as St. Joseph’s comfortably defeated Lara by 189 points. The ruckman dominated on all fronts, racking up 18 disposals at a sharp 83% efficiency, including 12 contested possessions and six clearances. Dominating in the air, he secured 33 hitouts and took five marks, and capped off his performance with three goals.

Connor Thar - Lara
Despite Lara’s heavy loss to St. Joey’s, Connor Thar stood out as the best on ground for his team. In the midfield, Thar accumulated 33 disposals, complemented by five marks, seven clearances, and seven inside 50s in an impressive all round performance.

Matthew Keast - St. Mary’s
After playing in the backline for Werribee in Round 21 against Box Hill Keast returned to the midfield for St. Mary’s. He was named in the best in their big win over St. Albans, gathering 29 disposals, including 12 contested possessions, seven clearances, and 11 score involvements, and hit the scoreboard, chipping in with a goal.

Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell
Byrne was named best on ground for Newtown, as they went down to South Barwon. He played a crucial lockdown role, limiting his opponent to just eight possessions, and was highly efficient with the ball, going at an impressive 88% disposal efficiency.

Mitch Chafer - Grovedale
Had a challenging day as his day ended early in the third quarter with a shoulder injury in Grovedale’s loss. Before that, he had another solid outing, hitting the scoreboard and gathering nine disposals, eight of which were contested.

Western Football Netball League:

Michael Selsby - Yarraville
Was named best on ground for Yarraville in a thrilling win for the Eagles over Spotswood by five points. In a very damaging game, Selsby picked up 24 disposals, booted two goals, had seven inside 50s and 11 contested possessions. 

Ubil Chol - Caroline Springs
Chol was also named in the best for Caroline Springs as they went down to the ladder leaders Werribee Districts, however retained second spot going into finals. Played a key defensive role while also picking up 11 disposals, at 82% efficiency, five marks and three tackles.

Ballarat Football Netball League:

Joel Cadman - Darley
As Darley narrowly went down to Melton Cadman was again named in the best. After a strong 21 disposal and two goal outing last weekend, Cadman backed it up with another 19 disposals and two goals, as well as nine marks, including three intercept grabs.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:

Hamish Gilmore - Albury Tigers
Gilmore played a strong game in defence as Albury went down to Myrtleford in a high-scoring thriller. The key defender set others up well around the ball while also picking up 15 disposals, six marks and four 1%’ers. 

Victorian Amateur Football Association:

Harrison Miller - Williamstown CYMS
Miller continued his exceptional goal kicking form as the CY’s went down to the third placed Old Trinity by 23 points. Was clean all day, took his chances in front of goal to finish the afternoon with four goals, and make it 11 goals in his past three games, and 14 goals in five games since his return from his long term injury. 

Zayne Galea - Williamstown CYMS
Galea also performed well, kicking goals in his fourth consecutive game despite the loss to Old Trinity. He presented strongly throughout the day, finishing with two goals.

Essendon District Football League:

Cam McLeod - Aberfeldie
McLeod was steady off half-back as Aberfeldie fell to Josh Porter’s Greenvale. Despite the loss, Aberfeldie secured a spot in finals, with McLeod contributing 12 disposals, four marks, and three inside 50s.

FINAL SCORE:

Box Hill: 1.3 3.4 7.7 9.9 (63)
Werribee: 3.4 8.7 9.10 10.14 (74)

GOALS:
Box Hill: S. Mitchell (2), J. Thorpe (2), J. Arundell, J. O’Sullivan, C. Porter, B. Ryan, D. Wood
Werribee: J. Dahlhaus (3), Z. Banch (2), H. Garoni, H. Grintell, B. Malual, C. Whyte, F. Young

BEST:
Werribee: B. Malual, J. Henderson, J. Clark, L. Pinnuck, S. Conway, D. Brew