Caroline Springs coach Brian Lake concedes Werribee Districts will enter this weekend’s Western Football League division 1 grand final as favourites, but the three-time AFL premiership star is hopeful his young team can triumph against the odds.
The Lakers advanced to their first top-flight decider with a tense seven-point victory over Yarraville-Seddon in Saturday’s preliminary final, 11.16 (82)-11.9 (75).
Caroline Springs led at the final break of the major semi-final against the Tigers before being overrun, while they prevailed by nine points when the pair met in round 15.
Werribee Districts are contesting their fourth consecutive grand final and will be hungry for the ultimate success after losing to Hoppers Crossing by one point in last year’s season finale, while the Lakers are looking to add to their maiden senior flag in division 2 in 2016.
“They’ve been the benchmark for a long period of time,” Lake said of Werribee Districts.
“They knocked us out in 2022 in that prelim and ever since they’ve played in grand finals, they’ve won a grand final (in 2023). They had a little bit of heartbreak last year against Hoppers Crossing.
“They’re a very experienced side playing at this time of year, so it’s going to be tough. They’ve had one game in three or four weeks, so they’re going to be fresh. They’re going to be match ready. You still think they will be with such an experienced and older group.
“But we beat them the previous time at our ground. They were a little bit banged up in that game. And then we were 17 points up at three-quarter-time against them (in the semi-final), and they ran over the top of us.
“So, there’s belief. They’re not invincible, but they’re definitely the favourites going into this.
“We’ve achieved what we wanted to, playing in a grand final, and now we’ve got to take that next step. But we’re excited for it.”
The Lakers were sweating on the fitness of skipper Keenan O’Shea, who had a sore hamstring and was scheduled to have scans on Monday.
Little separated Caroline Springs and the Yarraville-Seddon in Saturday’s preliminary final, with Lake’s men trailing in time on of the final term before nailing the last two goals of the match to secure victory.
The club exited the flag race on the penultimate weekend of the season last year and went out at the same stage in 2022 after finishing minor premier with a 17-1 home-and-away record.
“Things we’ve trained, we were able to execute late, which was fantastic, and that was the most pleasing thing,” Lake said.
“You do get nervous. Those last couple of minutes, (you ask) are we jinxed a little bit? But, no, it’s huge for the footy club. I guess with the senior women as well being able to win (the premiership), our under-18 girls winning it, it’s been a good year. One more week to go.”
Champion veteran Ryan Allan starred for the winners, booting four goals in a best-afield performance.
“He’s brilliant. He came over to our footy club as a renowned defender … and led the goalkicking in his first year. Even last year, we put him to centre half-back and it was probably easier on his body. To be able to make team of the year and be captain of that was phenomenal. He won our best and fairest,” Lake said.
“We’ve probably changed the look of our back line. We’ve gone with a bit more youth with Ali (Alipate Bryant) and Lachie Mellon there, and bringing in Ben Caluzzi as well has freed up ‘Rooster’ to play a little bit more forward.
“His body’s been a little bit banged up this year, but when he’s out there, to be able to lead some of these young guys down in that forward line and compete and kick goals has been valuable for us.”
Ethan Mantas, Max Tessari, Alexander Paech, Jack Heron and Mitchell Bongiovanni (two goals) also shone.
The 22 Caroline Springs fielded on Saturday featured 19 one-point players in a signal of the value of developing from within, with Werribee Districts also taking the same approach.
“Four or five of these guys have played under 9s together. They’re playing in our senior side, and they’ve come through all together,” Lake said.
Saturday’s grand final will be staged at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval from 2.30pm.
