Two non-AFL-affiliated clubs have booked a spot in the 2024 VFL Grand Final, as the Werribee Tigers and Southport Sharks defeated the two strongest reserve sides in the competition in two thrilling encounters.
Ladder-leaders Werribee faced an almighty hurdle on Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval, taking an 11-point deficit into three-quarter-time, but with a hurling breeze to their advantage in the decisive term.
The Tigers, led by inspirational leader Dom Brew, booted six final quarter majors to blitz past Brisbane and claim an emotional victory and date at Ikon Park next Sunday.H
Hours later it was the fifth-placed Sharks who overcame second-placed Footscray on their own deck, holding onto a nerve-racking 10-point lead in the dying stages to book their spot in the big dance from outside the top four.
Werribee took a scoreline of 4. 5. 29 into the final quarter at home and ended the match 10. 6. 66.
Key forward Sam Paea booted home two sealing majors late, Hudson Garoni kicked three huge goals on the day, but the hero was midfielder Dom Brew.
The VFL representative captain collected 26 disposals, 14 tackles and 141 Dream Team points in the win, expressing his pride afterward in an emotional post-match interview.
Brisbane bid farewell to retiring Lion Jarryd Lyons in defeat. The veteran was arguably Brisbane's best on the day with a team-high 26 disposals to go with seven tackles.
Fellow AFL-listed Lions Bruce Reville and Shadeau Brain took a hamstring and shoulder concern out of the match respectively.
Reville had been one of the Lions' best with 17 disposals and 14 tackles.
Deven Robertson stood up with 22 and a game-high 15 tackles in the slog, while James Tunstill and Jaxson Prior each had some big aerial moments in the match, forward and back.
Tasked with bringing down the second best team in the competition on their home Mission White Oval, Southport took the early advantage and held on for dear life.
Six scoring shots for one goal in the opening term was far from ideal, but the Sharks kept pegging away and held a narrow one-goal lead at half-time.
Southport then burst away with a five-goal third term, establishing a 29-point lead heading into the last.
The Bulldogs clawed their way back within 10 from three goals in quick succession, but the Sharks were able to steady and see out the final siren with a famous 10-point win.
Former Power player Boyd Woodcock led the way out of the Sharks' midfield, gathering 33 touches and a goal in a potentially best-on-ground performance.
Ruckman Brent Crossley mauled both of his Footscray counterparts, winning a whopping 71 hit outs to 33 combined form the two Bulldog talls.
Jacob Heron led all-comers with 13 tackles in the win for Southport.
For the Dogs, it was young Joel Freijah who was clearly their best, notching 27 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and a clutch goal on the run to give Footscray hope.
Young key back Jedd Busslinger was typically impressive with eight marks from his 21 disposals.
James Harmes had 20 with nine tackles but wasted two chances at goal late in the second and third terms.
Recently re-signed youngster Lachlan McNeil kicked two pivotal goals in his performance up forward.
Jason Johannisen was prolific with 26 disposals, as was Riley Garcia with 25, though to no avail as the side squandered the chance to book their spot in the big dance.