Werribee are the 2024 VFL premiers, breaking a 31-year drought with a thrilling six-point victory in a nail-biting Grand Final.

On Sunday afternoon, in front of a packed IKON Park, Werribee pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory to secure the 2024 premiership cup.

After overcoming a two-goal deficit in the preliminary final to earn their spot on the game's biggest stage, Werribee—fresh from their first minor premiership since 2005—rallied from 19 points down in the third quarter to defeat the Sharks, 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63), and claim the VFL premiership.

It caps off an outstanding first season as Werribee coach for former player Jimmy Allan, who was named VFL Coach of the Year just days before becoming a premiership coach on Sunday night.

Werribee’s triumph breaks a 31-year premiership drought and sees them claim the club’s second flag in history.

Jack Henderson, off the back of his second Team of the Year honour at Monday night’s VFL Awards was the best on ground and awarded the Norm Goss Medal, presented by good friend and former teammate Shaun Mannagh. Henderson collected 23 disposals, eight tackles, seven marks, and kicked two crucial third-quarter goals as Werribee booted four straight to reclaim the lead during the premiership quarter.

In a proud day for the club, 1993 premiership captain-coach Donald McDonald presented the cup to premiership captain Dom Brew, and current club captain Nick Coughlan. Coach Jimmy Allan invited the injured Coughlan on stage to lift the cup with Dom; “I want to get him up now, our captain Nick Coughlan. An amazing person, an amazing leader, wasn’t out there today; wish he was, but so big in what we've done here. I love him and he deserves every bit of this.”

After Southport kicked the first goal of the game, Werribee responded quickly through versatile forward Flynn Young kicking a goal from outside 50 for Werribee’s first of the Grand Final. Zac Banch made it two goals in as many minutes as he one bettered good friend Flynn Young and kicked a beauty from ten metres inside the centre square.

Southport closed out the quarter with a stoppage goal from veteran Jacob Dawson which saw both sides take two goals a piece in quarter time.

Despite a slow start to the second term, where neither team could make an impact on the scoreboard, Southport struck first with two quick goals to extend their lead to 19 points late in the quarter. However, Werribee responded just before halftime, going coast-to-coast, with Jack Riding slotting a timely running goal to cut the deficit to 13 points at the main break.

Although Southport kicked the first goal after half time, Werribee came out of the main break an improved side, fueled by a well documented Jimmy Allan half-time address which Dom Brew post-match described as “one of the best I’ve ever copped”. Jack Henderson lifted and converted two massive set shots to go with ten disposals in the premiership quarter. Werribee’s small forwards showed the way through Zac Banch’s pressure, Grand Final inclusion Angus Hicks (six disposals and two goal assists) and Jay Dahlhaus (six disposals and a goal) to level the scores 20 minutes into the third term.

Werribee’s leading goalkicker Hudson Garoni then earnt a free kick and converted truly to give Werribee the lead for the first time since the 19 minute mark of the first quarter, and see Werribee take a seven point lead into the last quarter.

Three quarter time did not slow down Werribee’s momentum and within the first two minutes Jay Dahlhaus showed his pace and ran into an open goal after another Dom Brew clearance - one of 15 for the J.J. Liston Medalist’s Grand Final. Cooper Whyte, only three minutes later, picked off a Southport kick in and extended the Tiger’s lead to 20 points, before Sam Paea, whose has a knack of standing up in fourth quarters this finals series, made it seven goals in a row for Werribee.

The lead extended to 26 points after Zac Banch narrowly missed what would have been a miracle goal halfway through the last quarter. Southport were not done and through two goals in 90 seconds made it a tense finish.

Stefan Radovanovic, who was an important inclusion for the preliminary final after seven weeks on the sidelines through an arm injury, made a crucial touch on the goaline to stop Southport skipper Brayden Crossley booting a long bomb. Just three minutes later his co-captain Dawson kicked his second goal of the Grand Final to reduce the margin to just one straight kick.

With Southport pressing hard in the dying moments, Werribee’s backline, the best in the league all season, held firm. In the closing seconds of the game, former Werribee forward Wylie Buzza flew for a mark inside forward 50 and was agonisingly close to pulling off the mark, however Nathan Cooper and the courageous Nick Hayes did enough and Werribee forced another stoppage inside Southport’s forward 50.

Angus Hicks won the clearance and cleared the Shark’s 50 as the siren went, bringing the thrilling Grand Final to a close and making Werribee the 2024 VFL premiers, ending a premiership drought dating back to 1993 after four Grand Final heartbreaks.

Alongside the 2024 Norm Goss Medalist in the midfield, Dom Brew placed second in the voting as the Team of the Year captain amassed 30 disposals and eight tackles.

Louis Pinnuck (24 disposals, five marks, six rebounds) and Jesse Clark (24 disposals, 11 marks) were sensational in defence.

While first-time Team of the Year defenders also stood tall in the backline. Riley Bice overcame some significant attention all afternoon from Southport forwards to contribute 23 possessions, six marks and eight rebounds and was particularly important in the last quarter, while Nathan Cooper (eight marks) played a major defensive role on star forward Hugh Dixon.

GRAND FINAL PHOTO GALLERY - VIEW HERE

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee 2.2 3.2 7.5 10.9 (69)
Southport 2.7 4.9 5.10 8.15 (63)

See the full list of award winners HERE.

Werribee will meet Southport in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final at IKON Park.

Werribee returns to the grand final for the second straight season, with the first bounce at 3:10pm this Sunday.

The Tigers began their finals campaign with a qualifying final win over Geelong. On Saturday in the do or die preliminary final they overcame an 11-point deficit at three-quarter time to overrun Brisbane by 20 points.

This marks the first time in club history that Werribee has reached back-to-back VFL Grand Finals, another accolade to add to clinching the first minor premiership in 19 years.

Southport advanced through to the Grand Final from outside the top four. This week will be the third consecutive week of travel to Melbourne, after a semi final win over Geelong and a 10-point preliminary final win over Footscray.

The two sides have faced each other twice this season with one win a piece and the two matches both being decided by under a kick. Werribee came out on top in Round 2 away at Southport, with Angus Hicks kicking the winner in his club debut. Southport evened the score with a narrow win at Avalon Airport Oval in the return meeting.

Ticketing: For the 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be purchased via this link. Patrons purchasing at the gate are advised the payment method is card only.

Broadcast: The 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7 in Victoria and 7plus nationally. The match will also be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

MATCH DETAILS – GRAND FINAL
Werribee vs Southport
Sunday, September 22, 3:10pm
IKON Park, Carlton

By Sienna Smilevski (@siennadigitals)

MATCH DETAILS – PRELIMINARY FINAL
Werribee vs Brisbane
Saturday, September 14, 11:00am
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Purchase your tickets to the game via this link.