Westbourne Grammarians miss VAFA Division 4 finals by one per cent despite Round 18 win over rivals Point Cook by 37 points

WESTBOURNE Grammarians have missed finals by the barest of margins, despite winning their Round 18 clash against local foes Point Cook in Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 4 on Saturday.

WESTBOURNE Grammarians have missed finals by the barest of margins, despite winning their Round 18 clash against local foe Point Cook in Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 4 on Saturday.

The Warriors led by five goals at the first break and at three-quarter-time, setting up a 17.18 (120) to 11.17 (83) victory.

But the fifth-placed side had one eye on another match, between second-placed West Brunswick and fourth-placed Manningham.

The Warriors needed the Cobras to lose and also had to make up a small percentage gap, but things just didn’t fall their way on Saturday.

The Cobras trailed the Magpies by 45 points at the main break, but kicked 10 of the next 13 goals to fall five points short of West Brunswick.

But it was enough to hold onto fourth spot by 1.05 per cent, the Warriors finishing the season in fifth on 10 wins from 18 games.

Warriors coach Roger Hand said it was a bittersweet feeling at the final siren.

“We sort of had the live scores going,” Hand said.

“I think for us, it’s been a fantastic year. We were 3-6 (after nine rounds), and given everything that’s happened we expected a mid-table finish. Finals was a bonus.”

The club failed to win a game in Division 3 last season, but Hand believes promotion is not far away.

“I’d expect them to play finals next year,” he said.

But despite being contracted, Hand said he’s unlikely to continue as coach in 2015.

“It’s the work and the frustration to get the list together,” he said.

“I think I’ve turned over 190 players in my three years that have gone to other clubs or not playing footy altogether.”

Hand said it is tough to compete in the western region without a junior setup.

“When I first went to Westbourne, I knew Werribee (Districts) would head to the Western Region,” he said.

“We lowered the average age from about 28-29 down to 22. (But) with no feeder, you’ve got to continue to recruit.”

Point Cook ended the season in seventh position.