In the semi-final round of the Peter Jackson Legendairy VFL finals, the Casey Scorpions took on the Werribee Tigers at Port Melbourne on Sunday 8 September.
The fourth-placed Scorpions faced being eliminated in straight sets from the finals for a second straight year, while the Tigers were attempting to march from fifth place to secure a spot in the preliminary final.
Werribee Tigers 19.10 (124) def Casey Scorpions 12.12 (84)
The first half of the game was a tightly contested one in which the scoring was back and forth, the lead changing every few goals.
The Scorpions got out to as much as a 12-point lead during the second term with Tim Smith topping the Scorpions’ scoring with four majors. But five unanswered goals from the Tigers either side of the main break saw them take a commanding 31-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Tigers were able to hold off the Scorpions in the last by kicking four goals to three, resulting in a 40-point win that eliminated the Scorpions and and putting Werribee into a preliminary final against the Box Hill Hawks this Sunday.
The depth of the Tigers midfield was put on display, as main ball getters Jordan Gysberts, Ben Ross and Will Sierakowski had 76 disposals between. Gysberts gathered 27, many contested and from stoppages, and also accumulated five tackles, while Sierakowski had the 25 disposals and Captain Ben Ross gathered 24 and kicked a goal.
Although Max Gawn dominated the hitouts with 49, the Tigers midfield was far too strong, though the usual suspects from the Scorpions – Tom Couch and James Magner – racked up a huge amount of disposals. Tom Couch had 38 disposals and four tackles in a never-give-up display, while Magner showed how good he is at finding the footy by having another 30-plus disposal game with 32.
The main goal kickers for the Tigers were Adam Maric and Ben Warren kicking four each. Maric had six scoring shots at goal and kicked 4.2 from his nine disposals, while Warren was a dead eye,kicking four goals straight after a poor game the week before.
Neville Jetta was named best for the Scorpions, his performance from the backline possibly a deciding factor in his potential delisting from the Melbourne Demons. Jetta had 18 disposals and five spoils.
The Werribee Tigers now face the Box Hill Hawks at 2:10pm on Sunday 15 September at Port Melbourne, while the Casey Scorpions continue to battle with their finals hoodoo over the off-season.
Williamstown 27.14 (176) def Port Melbourne 14.5 (89)
Williamstown and Port Melbourne fought out the other VFL semi-final the previous day at Port Melbourne.
The third-placed Williamstown took on the sixth placed Port in a final that was very one-sided. With a six goal to one burst, Williamstown took a commanding lead into the first quarter break.
The game didn’t get any easier for Port Melbourne after that, with Williamstown kicking 15 goals to five for the next two quarters and taking a 98-point lead into three-quarter time.
With a rev up from Port coach Gary Ayres at the final break, his focus was on not being weak and frustrated, and repaying the supporters after everything they had done for the team.
Port Melbourne won the last quarter, but by then it didn’t matter as a very strong Williamstown team ran out winners by 89 points.
The best players for Williamstown were Jack Johnstone, Willie Wheeler, Ben Jolley, Jason Tutt, Cameron Lockwood and Cameron Wood.
Johnstone was best for Williamstown with 24 disposals and 10 tackles.
Willie Wheeler gathered 29 disposals, six tackles and kicked one goal.
Ben Jolley got the game high disposals with 32, along with seven tackles.
Jason Tutt kicked five goals straight from 21 disposals.
Cameron Lockwood accumulated 23 disposals and kicked one goal, while Cameron Wood had 35 hitouts, 16 disposals and kicked a goal.
There were not many positives to take from the game for Port Melbourne, but their best included Julian Rowe, Mark Johnston, Chris Cain and Shane Valenti.
Despite Port Melbourne losing by 87 points, Julian Rowe kicked a game high six goals from his 15 disposals and was best for Port.
Mark Johnston gathered 25 disposals and a goal.
Chris Cain had 23 disposals and seven tackles, while Shane Valenti had 20 disposals and kicked a goal.
The win sees Williamstown take on flag favourites Geelong on Saturday 14 September at Port Melbourne at 2:10pm, while the loss removes Port Melbourne from the VFL finals.
VFL Development Squad Finals
Wins to Box Hill Hawks and Williamstown on the weekend see them take each other on the in the VFL Development league grand final on Saturday 14 September at North Port Oval, before the Williamstown vs. Geelong preliminary final. The game will commence at 10:45am.
There is also a young guns game being played at 11:00am on Sunday 15 September 15 as a curtain raiser to the Box Hill Hawks vs. Werribee preliminary final.
Finals pricing (week 1-3)
Adults: $15
Concession: $10
Kids 12 and under: Free
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