Werribee Districts through to WRFL Division 1 grand final

Werribee Districts is back for a shot at its first WRFL senior premiership after winning through to the decider and in 2023 there will be some key differences. Here’s why.

Werribee Districts is back in another grand final — but 2023 is very different according to coach Chris Gilham.

The WRFL Division 1 premiership favourites stormed into the decider with a 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56) victory over Point Cook in Saturday’s second semi-final at Yarraville Oval.

It now will give Gilham’s side a shot at redemption having lost last year’s grand final to Altona.

They’ll also enjoy a week off compared to last season where they completed a remarkable run to the season’s last day after coming all the way from the elimination final.

Districts are yet to taste premiership success since moving across from the VAFA.

“There were clearly different circumstances last year, we came from five goals down in the elimination final,” Gilham said.

“We probably went in as underdogs in those games but losing drove us over the summer. A lot of the boys came back early and wanted to get back there.

“We’ll be well rested this time around, we’ve played less games this year including practice matches. We had a great home-and-away season and to earn direct passage into the grand final is a great reward.”

Districts’ performance was built off the back of a strong defensive display with “pressure” a key theme according to Gilham.

His side booted seven goals to one in the third quarter to put the game to bed by the last change.

“We started really well, we were able to create secondary opportunities for ourselves with how we set up behind the ball,” Gilham said.

“We were able to turn a lot of our good work around the ball into scores and defensively we were able to absorb a lot of Point Cook’s good stuff early on.”

Werribee Districts star Dillon Viojo-Rainbow. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Arguably the most important factor in Districts’ win was the names among the better players.

Bailey Siwek, Callan Gilboy, Lee Johnston, Lachie Smith, Josh Mould and Alex Alabakis.

They’re not the club’s household names.

“Our young guys have really stood up for us this season,” Gilham said.

“We take pride in having significant depth, our reserves got through to the grand final as well — they haven’t lost a game this year.”

Districts were without key duo Josh Kellett and Michael Luxford for Saturday’s game.

Their status for the September 17 grand final is yet to be confirmed.

Point Cook will now face Altona in a preliminary final.