VFL: Werribee wins a thriller against Southport

Werribee are kings of the VFL jungle for the first time since 1993 after one of the all-time great grand finals with the Norm Goss Medal winner doing his AFL chances no harm.

Werribee celebrate in the rooms. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Werribee are VFL premiers for the first time since 1993.

The Victorian stand-alone powerhouse prevailed 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63) against Southport on Sunday afternoon at Ikon Park in one of the all-time thrillers.

It was a game which could have easily been won by either side.

The Norm Goss Medal was awarded to Werribee’s Jack Henderson as the best player on the ground.

It was fitting the premiership cup was presented to Werribee by its coach in 1993 Donald McDonald.

“We just weren’t playing the way we wanted to (in the first half). I think the belief was there once we got back to the drawing board,” Henderson said.

“We knew we could run over the top of them. I don’t think the result has sunk in yet, I think it’s going to take a while to.

“It’s enormous for us, a lot of us stuck fat through Covid, a loss last year, just so proud of everyone involved in the club.”

A ROLLERCOASTER SECOND HALF

Southport controlled much of the game in the opening half, leading the territory battle and probably should have been further ahead of the main break. The second half produced one of the all-time VFL grand finals. Werribee looked to be running away with it in the fourth after kicking seven goals in a row after being well below their best in the first half. Then just when the game looked sealed, Southport rediscovered its best to come almost steal it. It’s a game which won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Southport big man Wylie Buzza flew with under a minute remaining and as the crowd held its breath, many thought the former AFL forward had taken a mark to have a shot to draw the game, but it spilt inside the carnage of the Sharks forward 50.

HENDERSON SHINES UNDER RECRUITERS’ EYES

Werribee midfielder Jack Henderson did his AFL hopes no harm after a big performance on the VFL’s biggest stage. When the Bees made a move in the third, Henderson was at the forefront. The 24-year-old booted two goals and won several important clearances. He claimed the Norm Goss medal which was awarded by his former teammate Shaun Mannagh who enjoyed a strong debut season at AFL level with Geelong.

Jack Henderson of the Tigers winner of the Norm Goss Memorial Medal. (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A HUGE MOMENT IN THE THIRD

Hudson Garoni was the man who put Werribee in front late in the third but it all came down to the work of small forward Angus Hicks. A shallow entry to the Bees’ half-forward flank split to the ground and Southport looked favoured to win it but Hicks’ determination won through. He laid a telling bump before pouncing to his feet, winning the ball and snapping on his left to the top of the square where Garoni was impeded and won the free kick.

DAWSON IS A STAR

Southport’s Jacob Dawson is a star of the VFL and he proved it with a huge display in the grand final. Dawson’s willingness was a key contributor to his Sharks almost coming from the clouds in the final term to steal it. His work rate never dropped and his teammates soon followed.