As the Big W prepare to take on Box Hill in the first week of the 2023 Smithy's VFL Finals Series, we preview the match with senior coach Michael Barlow and four-time Best & Fairest winner Matt Hanson who is set to play his 100th game in Saturday's Qualfying Final.

Produced by Howdy Partners Media (howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts) on behalf of the Werribee Football Club.

Post Production by Steve Visscher | Southern Skies Media

Werribee begins its first finals campaign since 2019 with a clash against Box Hill, one of two teams the Big W didn’t face in the home and away season.

Saturday’s Qualifying Final at Avalon Airport Oval is the first final to be played at the venue since 2011 with the hosts entering the fixture on a club record 15-match unbeaten run having won every game after a Round 4 loss to Geelong.

Box Hill, who finished the home and away season with one less win than Werribee with a 14-4 record, were at the top-end of the table all year long before securing third place and a double chance with victory over Frankston in the final round.

TEAM NEWS
The Big W have made a number of changes for the first final.

Veteran Michael Sodomaco is a notable out through injury following a fantastic run of form to end the home and away season, while Jack Henderson headlines the ins after he missed the team’s Round 22 match against Sydney.

Joining Henderson in the side are Keegan Gray and Jesse Clark who have both been recalled with Michael Selsby and Jack Riding the other two omissions.

Meanwhile, champion midfielder Matt Hanson is set to play his 100th game, and in doing so will join Tom Gribble and Sodomaco as current players to reach the milestone.

TICKETING DETAILS
Tickets for all finals matches need to be pre-purchased. For the first three weeks of finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be pre-purchased HERE.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, subject to ground capacity. Payment method for tickets purchased at the gate is via EFTPOS only.

QUALIFYING FINAL
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday 2nd September, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Finals Week 1 - Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee capped the home and away season with a 33-point away win over Sydney in Round 22 to secure a 15th consecutive victory and a 16-2 win-loss record in 2023.

The Big W entered Sunday’s game unable to finish anywhere other than second on the ladder as Gold Coast comfortably accounted for Carlton Reserves a day earlier to lock up top spot.

With the result against the Swans having no bearing on what's to come, the fixture became a finals tune up for Werribee, with the visitors extending their record win streak courtesy of a 13.11 (89) to 8.8 (56) result.

Matt Hanson accumulated a game-high 34 disposals in his 99th game and is now set to make his 100th Werribee appearance in the club's Qualifying Final against Box Hill in two weeks’ time.

Just as dominant were Dom Brew (33 disposals), Tom Gribble (31 disposals), Shaun Mannagh (29 disposals, 2 goals) and Kye Declase (27 disposals, 2 goals) along with former captain Michael Sodomaco who again did as he pleased off halfback with 27 disposals at 93 per cent efficiency.

Hudson Garoni was the dominant forward on the ground with three majors taking his season tally to a career-best 40 goals.

The key forward fired Werribee’s first goal of the game six and a half minutes into the contest and just 10 minutes later the visitors lead was 29-0 after majors to Hanson, Bior Malaul and Mannagh.

The Big W took advantage of a game-high 17 inside 50s in the second term to stretch their advantage to 33 points at the 18-minute mark, before the Swans again goaled in the later stages to reduce the margin.

Werribee’s fast starts carried on into the second half with Decalse booting his two majors within the opening seven minutes of the third quarter.

As they did in the first term, the Big W’s defence lead by captain Nick Coughlan limited the Swans to just a lone goal in the third, with Will Gould’s major a quick response to Declase’s double strike.

Garoni’s third goal and then back-to-back goals to Sam Paea and Mannagh early in the fourth quarter had the visitors up by 51 points and the result all but confirmed.

The Swans added four of the last five goals, but the sting was well and truly out of the game as Werribee’s focus now turns to its first finals campaign since 2019.

The Big W ended the match +139 for disposals (437-298), +87 for marks (151-64), +17 in clearances (46-29), +14 for inside 50s (53-39) and +12 in tackles (71-59).

Werribee: 4.5 7.6 10.9 13.11 (89)
Sydney: 1.0 3.4 4.4 8.8 (56)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 3, S. Mannagh 2, K. Declase 2, M. Hanson 2, J. Porter, B. Malual, S. Paea, M. Keast 2.
Sydney: W. Gould 2, L. Rankin 2, J. Bartholomaeus, H. Morrison, C. Warner.

BEST
Werribee: M. Sodomaco, K. Declase, T. Gribble, H. Garoni, S. Clohesy, D. Brew.

PLAYER STATS
Matt Hanson: 34 disposals (23 K, 11 HB), 13 handball receives, 10 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals.
Dom Brew: 33 disposals (20 K 13 HB), 18 contested possessions, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 11 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s.
Tom Gribble: 31 disposals (14 K, 17 HB) at 84% efficiency, 8 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s.
Nick Coughlan: 29 disposals (21 K, 8 HB), 10 marks (5 intercept), 3 tackles, 6 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.
Shaun Mannagh: 29 disposals (18 K, 11 HB), 13 handball receives, 6 tackles, 9 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals.
Kye Declase: 27 disposals (7 K 14 HB), 13 handball receives, 10 marks, (3 contested), 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 8 score involvements, 2 goals.
Michael Sodomaco: 27 disposals (16 K, 11 HB) at 93% efficiency, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 rebound 50s, 7 score involvements.
Sam Clohesy: 23 disposals (15 K, 8 HB) at 96% efficiency, 10 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements.
Kobe Annand: 15 disposals (5 K, 10 HB) at 93 % efficiency, 7 marks (1 contested 3 intercept), 17 hit-outs, 3 tackles, 4 clearances.

NEXT GAME
Qualifying Final
Werribee (2nd) vs Box Hill (3rd)
Saturday 2nd September or Sunday 3rd September
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

What started out as a small collaboration in 2004 of providing pegs to hold down ground covers and brackets for fence signage has grown into Werribee Steel being a key supporter of the Werribee Football Club in 2023 as a Principal Sponsor. 

With over 50 years industry experience, Werribee Steel is a leading steal fabricator and supplier for builders statewide and locally seeking structural steelworks or a homeowner with a unique vision of bespoke steel designs. 

Like our players on the field, the skilled team at Werribee Steel is dedicated to bringing precision and finesse to every aspect of the fabrication process. 

Werribee Steel's Robert Cannizzaro said the company has always held the belief that supporting the community plays an active role in its growth, development, and overall well-being and that continuing to support organisations such as the Werribee Football Club brings great joy.  

“As a proud sponsor and supporter of the Werribee Football Club, the 2023 season has been an absolute thrill,” he said. 

“Watching the team play outstanding football against quality opposition has been nothing short of exhilarating and has filled us with immense pride and excitement. 

“It's been an incredible experience to contribute to the club as a Principal Sponsor and we look forward to cheering the team on as they continue to shine on the field.”  

Werribee Football Club CEO Mark Penaluna said it was fantastic to see the association with Werribee Steel reach 20 years. 

“Werribee Steel is just one of many club sponsors that is located in the heart of Werribee and is just a few minutes away from our home at Avalon Airport Oval,” he said.  

“We hope everyone at Werribee Steel has enjoyed the 2023 VFL season to date and we’re sure Robert and the team will be there to support us on the field over our upcoming finals campaign.” 

Find out more about Werribe Steel HERE

Image: Werribee Football Club CEO Mark Penaluna with Marco De Muri and Robert Cannizzaro of Werribee Steel.