From the ashes, Westbourne Grammarians rise to reign in VAFA Division 4
Westbourne Grammarians Football Club has pulled off the double — winning both the seniors and reserves VAFA Division 4 Grand Finals.
The club had a remarkable season, losing just one game across both grades, a feat even more remarkable when you consider the tumultuous split that fractured the former Old Westbourne Football Club.
After the majority of the club left and became the Wyndham Suns, the new Westbourne Grammarians were left to begin as standalone entity — leaving behind the history and premierships from the past. The premierships are the first pieces of silverware for what is essentially a new club.
“Good day for the club, wasn’t it?,” said club President Simon Christo, who was unfortunate enough to miss the games due to a family holiday.
Senior coach Roger Hand pointed to the club’s rise to Division 3 as the greatest achievement of the season and called the double “the cream on top”.
Hand said that the promotion and premiership double were even more special knowing the position the club was in, and the kinds of players the club had recruited.
“We are a bit unknown, especially with Werribee and Hoppers Crossing in the area, we kind of take the guy who no-one will give a game to and nine times out of ten they improve when you invest some time into them.
“Our injury list is about as long as your arm… and to be down 20 points, not only once, but twice in the game and fight our way back, I think shows a massive amount of character for our group,” he said.
Hosted at St. Bernard’s College in Essendon, the 16–0 senior side took on the second placed Point Cook Bulldogs.
The Warriors got off to a slow start, with Point Cook’s midfield wrestling control of the game early. The Point Cook pressure was superb as Westbourne struggled to get the ball out of defensive 50, giving them a 17 point quarter-time lead.
Despite a fantastic first half from Adam Imber, the Point Cook lead was extended to 22 points late in the second quarter, but two late Westbourne goals game the team some hope and the momentum heading into the second half.
Westbourne managed to win the midfield battle in the second half, and the results were seen on the scoreboard. A best-on-ground performance by Chris Hudson and the running ability of Chris Sneddon were instrumental as the Warriors reduced the 10 point halftime deficit to five points and then overran the Bulldogs with a four goal to zero final term.
Veteran Charles “Shagger” Hunter, who came into the game with a pronounced limp due to a serious calf injury, proved to be the match winner, with three miraculous goals on hapless young Point Cook defender Alex Galvin — including the sealer in the 11.6 (72) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Earlier in the day, Peter Magann was named best on ground by the officiating umpires as the reserves started the Warriors’ dream day with a 35-point victory over the Point Cook reserves team.
In a tight contest early, Point Cook looked in control, but poor kicking at goal left them trailing at the first break by two points.
The second quarter saw the Westbourne Warriors, with the slight breeze at their back, take advantage of a greater opportunity and extend their lead to 11 points at the main break, thanks to great play by ruckman Harley Tunnicliffe and forward Shane Wallace.
Like the seniors, Westbourne took control of the game in the second half, with veteran goal kicker Arnel Davis providing a deep target — kicking three majors and setting up at least three more.
Although a minor Point Cook rally at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth reduced the Westbourne lead to just five points, it was clear that the Warriors would have the legs the run out the game, with the final score reading 15.10 (100) to 9.11 (65).
