WRFL: Werribee Districts outclass local rivals Hoppers Crossing

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham swung the magnets to keep his side’s season alive but it was one man who kept them in the game in the first half.

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham knew he had to move the magnets to keep his side’s season alive.

Trailing by 24 points at halftime, Districts were looking at an early end to their season at the hands of Western Region Football League rivals Hoppers Crossing.

But a direct swap which sent Lachlan Rainbow forward and Sean Gregory into defence worked to perfection for Gilham.

Rainbow booted three second half goals and Gregory helped to “settle” Districts defence as they came from behind to secure a 13.14 (92) to 12.13 (85) Division 1 win at Avalon Airport Oval.

Even when his side looked unlikely to make a comeback to those on the outside, Gilham knew the group had it in them.

“All testament to our boys, they kept fronting up and didn’t shy away from the challenge,” he said.

“It took a lot of heart. Trent Lee kept us in it early with his efforts around goal, he finished with six goals.

“I felt everything went long in the first half and we encouraged them to become more aggressive with their ball movement. Rainbow took three or four huge pack marks which are so pressure relieving, it was an area we had struggled before halftime.

Lachlan Rainbow strongly influenced the contest at halfback. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Gregory gave us a nice, cool head coming out of defence and always made the right decisions. We made a few other moves, nothing major, just rotating our wings and halfbacks a bit more because we felt we needed more run from behind the footy.

“Finals is all about momentum and we were fortunate enough to find plenty of it.”

Despite still trailing by a goal at three-quarter-time and kicking into the breeze, Districts rallied to secure a famous win as they chase their first senior premiership since crossing to the WRFL in 2014.

They kicked five goals to three in the final quarter and despite a late surge from the Warriors were able to hold on.

Dillon Viojo-Rainbow finished with a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lee was named the best player on the ground while ruckman Ben McMahon, Matt Dean, Alex Alabakis and Harrison White were also impressive.

“The last five minutes felt like five hours. It felt like I had run a marathon by the end of it,” Gilham said with a laugh.

“All of our games against Hoppers go right down to the wire so it wasn’t a shock to see it so close. We went down to them twice during the season so it’s nice to get them this time.

“The Round 12 loss really made us think about how we structured up and how we picked our team, it was a real turning point for us.

“We’ve gone 8-2 since then. Sunday was a really good even performance from everyone.”

Callan Gilboy. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Districts will now aim to keep their season alive in a first semi-final against Deer Park who will look to avoid a straight sets finals exit after going down to Altona in the qualifying final.

And Gilham is aware of the challenge the Lions will present.

“It’s going to be huge, they’ve been the premier team for close to a decade,” he said.

“We’ve had two really close games against them this season, one win and a loss, so there’s a small margin for error. We’re going to live or die by the way we play.

“We believe we’ve got some tools that will challenge them and no doubt they will be thinking the same in the other direction.

“It should be a real nailbiter.”

Defender Ethan Henley was brilliant for the Warriors in a best on ground display while Hayden Iannacone and Josh Pickess also showed positive signs.

Ezzat Haddard finished with four goals in a losing effort.