WRFL 2018: Hoppers Crossing to face Deer Park in Division 1 grand final

Hoppers Crossing will enter Saturday’s WRFL Division 1 grand final against Deer Park as the underdog, but that does not concern coach Steve Kretiuk.

Hoppers Crossing's Harley Armstrong-Weston looks for an option on Saturday. Picture: Cody Bench Photography

HOPPERS Crossing will meet five-time reigning premier Deer Park in a rematch of the 2016 Western Region Football League Division 1 decider this weekend with coach Steve Kretiuk declaring the underdog does not “hold any fears”.

While the Warriors’ line-up has undergone several changes since their 114-point grand final defeat two years ago, they have exceeded their expectations this year.

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Hoppers Crossing knocked minor premier Altona out of the flag race in a tense contest at a windswept Burbank Oval on Saturday as they prevailed by three points, 3.12 (30) to 3.9 (27).

In difficult conditions, the Warriors were wasteful in the second term, converting one major from nine scores.

But they did not pay the price for their extravagance in front of goal to secure a spot in the showpiece fixture of the WRFL season.

Hoppers Crossing has won one of its three clashes against Deer Park this season but lost by 48 points when the pair met in the qualifying final.

Hoppers Crossing's Jackson Viola celebrates a goal. Picture: Cody Bench Photography

“Last time we played, obviously they got away in the second half,” Kretiuk said.

“But at the end of the day, we can’t wait for them to fall over because they won’t. They’re a good side.

“We’ve just got to make sure we do everything we can to beat them.

“They’ve got a star-studded line-up, but if you execute well, work hard and you’re confident in your ability … it’s going to go a long way to us winning.”

Braden Ferrari was one of the stars of his team’s preliminary final victory, keeping Altona ace Patrick Rose goalless.

While conditions were not conducive to free scoring, Rose had a prolific season in the forward half and bagged 81 goals from 19 games.

“We knew he (Ferrari) was doing a good job when Patty Rose started pushing up the ground,” Kretiuk said.

“Whenever you get Rose away from the goals, you sort of breathe a little slower and calmer.”

Ashlin Brown, Mathew Ryan, Lochlan McDonald and Harley Armstrong-Weston also played key roles in the triumph.

The Warriors finished the home-and-away rounds in third position, half a game astern of the Lions.

“It was pretty awesome after the game,” Kretiuk said.

“Whenever you get to a grand final, it’s a tremendous effort, but especially with what we’ve been through this year. I was rapt.

“It’s probably Matty Ryan’s last season and to get to a grand final for him as well, it’s pretty special.

“It was obviously trying conditions. Some of our players said they’ve never played in wind like that before, so it was pretty tough.

“But we had a plan … and they executed it really well.”

The grand final at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval will start at 2:25pm.