Werribee are 2024 VFL Premiers after defeating Southport by six points in the VFL Grand Final at Ikon Park on Sunday.
The Tigers, who were minor premiers, broke their 31-year premiership drought winning 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63).
Southport got off to a good start but will rue missed opportunities in the first half.
The Sharks led 4.9 (33) to 3.2 (20) at halftime before the Tigers went on a goal-scoring blitz in the third quarter.
Werribee kicked four goals to one in the third quarter to go from trailing by 13 points at half time to leading by seven points.
The Tigers then extended their lead to a game high 26 points, with the first three goals of the last term.
It was going to be a tough task for the Sharks to come back from there, however, they didn’t give up.
Southport kicked three goals in a row to reduce the margin to just six points, with a couple of minutes to be played.
The ball was locked in Southport’s forward half for the remainder of the match as the Sharks desperately tried to kick another goal, but the Tigers’ defence stood firm.
After the game, Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “I am so proud of the boys. Grand Finals are so hard to make and even harder to win.”
“They have done everything I could have possibly asked this year. It obviously hurts not to win, but Werribee are deserving winners, and we congratulate them on an outstanding year.”
Werribee v Southport – Sunday 22 September, Ikon Park, 3:10pm
WERRIBEE 2.2 3.2 7.5 10.9 (69)
SOUTHPORT 2.7 4.9 5.10 8.15 (63)
GOALS: Jacob Dawson 2, Hugh Dixon 2, Jay Lockhart 2, Jack Sexton, Matt Shannon.
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Photo Credit: Michael Wilson/AFL Photos