WFNL: How Hoppers Crossing went from last to first in 2024

Hoppers Crossing rose from a wooden spoon to a premiership in just 12 months. President John Semertzidis takes us inside the conversations which led to the turnaround.

Hoppers Crossing won its first senior flag since 2004. Photo: Local Legends Photography.

Even in the days after Hoppers Crossing’s premiership, club officials are still trying to come to terms with what has been achieved.

The Warriors have gone from a wooden spoon in 2023 to the first senior premiership since 2004.

“I’m still pinching myself,” president John Semertzidis said.

“We were pretty ordinary last year to be honest, in saying all that there was belief we could improve quickly, but not to this extent.

“I don’t think anyone thought we would go from zero to 100 this quickly.”

The changes which led to Hoppers’ rise to the WFNL Division 1 flag in a one-point thriller against Werribee Districts started with the appointment of Jared Polec as coach last season.

He replaced Adam Contessa.

“When we signed Jared he told people to be prepared not to win for the first four or five games,” he said.

“It’s what happened after we started 0-5. Everyone was adjusting to the new structures, the new system, he always said it was going to take a bit of time. When we lost in round 1 he said to the boys ‘if we can get our s*** together, we can be a good team’. He got that right.

“Our expectation was to hopefully win at least four games to win, double from last year, it would have been an improvement and I would have been rapt.”

“You’ve got to give some credit to Adam Contessa because he managed to keep the group together during last season. When times were tough, players could have easily looked elsewhere.”

Former AFL wingman Polec signed a two-year deal with the Warriors when he was announced as coach but has already extended through to the end of 2027.

Semertzidis described him as “very personable” and someone who had “brought belief to the players”.

“He’s very family orientated which we’re big on at the footy club,” he said.

“After every game he has his kids on his shoulders singing the song. He’s encouraged the players to be themselves, a bit like Hawthorn.

“I didn’t have too much to do with in regards to getting him across the club when I was vice-president last year but when we had a 10-minute chat you could see he really believed in us and we believed in him.”

Jed Anderson was named best afield in the grand final but his impact has been much greater this season according to Semertzidis.

“He comes in. very quiet, very subdued but when he crosses the white line, he just explodes. Young blokes just sit up and listen,” he said.

“He was one of the key signings we made to help grow what we already had at the club. Getting Harley Armstrong-Weston back and getting Mitch Kunigiskis, Bailey Young, Josh Pickess and Harry Maguire were the others.”

After adding another trophy to the cabinet, the Warriors are already planning for next season.

They’ve re-signed “most” of its playing list from next season and are expected to add several talented players in the off-season.