The 2021 VFL home-and-away season and that of the Werribee Football Club has come to an end following the Victorian Government announcement that metropolitan Melbourne will remain in lockdown until Thursday 2nd September.

On Tuesday the AFL confirmed that all Round 19 matches would not proceed. The league will look to commence a three-week top-eight finals series on the weekend of September 4 & 5. Werribee finishes 9th on the ladder based on a match ratio formula.

Werribee Football Club president Martin Carter issued this statement following the AFL's announcement on Tuesday afternoon. 

"This is certainly not the end to the season we were hoping for, but it is the reality of the times we are operating in," Mr Carter said.

"It is very disappointing for our players, coaches, staff and volunteers who have been through some enormous challenges in the past two seasons.

"We understand that a decision had to be made and a system implemented to bring this season to a conclusion. We wish all teams in the VFL finals the best of luck.

"We thank our sponsors and members for their continued support and look forward to the 2022 season."

AFL STATEMENT

As a result of the evolving COVID-19 situation across the country, previous interruptions to scheduled games and an extension to the Victorian State Government lockdown, the 2021 VFL home-and-away season has finished. The league has confirmed the match ratio system has determined the final ladder positions ahead of the 2021 VFL Finals Series starting on Saturday September 4, 2021.

The finals will retain the top eight clubs but in an elimination format should they be able to start on the weekend of September 4. The AFL has put a contingency in place should there be any further delays.

AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said the VFL community continues to navigate its way through a challenging year for sport and although the conclusion to the season looks different, it was the only system to reward a Premier.

“The 2021 season has been a challenge to everyone connected to football. The AFL is very proud of how all VFL clubs, players, officials, supporters and corporate partners managed through a difficult year and kept their communities connected,” Salter said.

“All 22 clubs continue to play a vital role in keeping their suburban and regional networks engaged. We acknowledge the importance they have played as pillars of their local communities and remain so important to growing and nurturing our national code.”

“We’ve seen 107 exceptional games of football this season with the engagement in the VFL in 2021 highlighting how important football is to so many people across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The VFL maintains a strong presence in the football landscape and the role it plays in the growth of our game should never be underestimated.”

“We have witnessed a very even competition so far and the compilation of the top eight presents an exciting Finals Series ahead. We will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community,” Salter said.

While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, the health and welfare of our players and the community remains the priority and all matches will operate in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments, public health officials and medical experts. Strict protocols will be in place to protect players, officials, staff and the wider public at all matches when they return.

2021 VFL Premiership Ladder – Match Ratio Formula

Club G W L D Win % Percentage
1 Footscray 10 10 0 0 100 169.74
2 Southport 10 9 1 0 90 180.72
3 Box Hill Hawks 10 8 2 0 80 167.7
4 Geelong 9 7 2 0 77.77 167.3
5 Casey Demons 9 7 2 0 77.77 166.6
6 Williamstown 9 6 2 1 72.22 136.41
7 Collingwood 9 6 3 0 66.66 92.68
8 GWS Giants 11 7 4 0 63.63 94.35
9 Werribee 9 5 4 0 55.55 147.49
10 Frankston 11 6 5 0 54.54 103.79
11 Richmond 10 4 5 1 45 103.4
12 Carlton 9 4 5 0 44.44 101.28
13 Sandringham 9 4 5 0 44.44 94.13
14 Gold Coast Suns 10 4 6 0 40 76.8
15 North Melbourne 10 4 6 0 40 56.95
16 Coburg 10 3 7 0 30 95.08
17 Brisbane Lions 10 3 7 0 30 65.71
18 Northern Bullants 10 3 7 0 30 62.61
19 Sydney Swans 10 2 8 0 20 88.9
20 Essendon 10 2 8 0 20 64.41
21 Port Melbourne 9 1 8 0 11.11 67.42
22 Aspley 10 1 9 0 10 73.01

The 2021 VFL Finals Series will revert to a full knockout competition, with first playing eighth, second v seventh, third v sixth and fourth v fifth in the first week. Week Two would then see the four winners matched-up in the VFL Preliminary Final.

A further reduction that only allows a two-week finals series would mean teams 5-8 are eliminated and it will be first v fourth and second v third for a spot in the VFL Grand Final.

All VFL clubs in the top eight have confirmed they will be in a position to play games once the Victorian State Lockdown ends on Thursday September 2.

VFL Finals Games will continue to be shown with broadcast partners the Seven Network, Foxtel and Kayo.

As the only team currently based outside of Victoria, the AFL is continuing to work with Southport to explore all possible arrangements to have them play in the 2021 VFL Finals after finishing second.

The AFL will explore all options to investigate ways to get fans back to the footy as safely and as soon as possible. VFL and VFL Club digital channels will have all the ticketing information for fans as each weekend’s games are released and fans can return to matches.

Jack Henderson and Hudson Garoni are a pair of Werribee young guns enjoying breakout campaigns in 2021. 

Henderson who has been at the club since 2018 is now an integral part of the midfield rotation while Garoni who arrived at the Big W in 2019 has quickly become one of the main focal points in attack.

The pair, who are also housemates, chatted to the Wyndham Star Weekly to talk about their respective seasons. 

You can read the full article on the Star Weekly website HERE.
Read the full digitial edition of the Wyndham Star Weekly for August 11 HERE.

Thursday's announcement by the Victorian Government of another state-wide lockdown has put the VFL season on pause once more with our scheduled game against Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval in the battle for the K Rock Cup called off along with all other matches for Round 17.

There was only six matches fixtured to take place in Round 17 (all in Melbourne) with five to be played on Saturday and one on Sunday.  Brisbane Lions, Frankston, Southport, Sydney Swans, Box Hill Hawks, Gold Coast Suns, Aspley, Greater Western Sydney, Essendon and Footscray had all been scheduled byes. 

With this latest lockdown due to end next Friday, the AFL said they will continue to plan for matches on August 14 & 15.  The entire VFL community will be hoping for positive news throughout next week and teams can return to the field and complete the remaining home-and-away matches and then finals. 

AFL STATEMENT

The AFL has advised all VFL and VFLW Clubs that this weekend’s scheduled matches in Victoria will not proceed following the seven-day lockdown announced by the Victorian State Government yesterday.

The includes the 2021 rebel VFLW Grand Final between Collingwood and Geelong scheduled for Sunday at ETU Stadium.

All VFL, VFLW, community football matches, training and Auskick will not be permitted to take place in Victoria during this time, as per State Government restrictions.

The health and safety of the community remains the highest priority and we acknowledge the role the VFL and VFLW plays in keeping our community safe.

The AFL will continue to work with the Victorian Government on the conditions required for football to be played in Victoria and will act on their advice to have footy return as soon as possible.

The AFL remains committed to staging the 2021 rebel VFLW Grand Final and crowning a premier.

The AFL remains committed to completing the 2021 VFL Premiership Season with all clubs playing the same number of home-and-away matches. The 2021 VFL Finals Series is scheduled to commence on Saturday August 28 with the top eight finals structure with the VFL Grand Final to be held on Sunday September 19 at Marvel Stadium.

Football is such an important part of so many lives and communities across Victoria, and we understand how these disruptions have a significant impact on the game, our people and communities. These are really difficult times for the whole community and the AFL will continue to support all participants so that we can bring the game back as soon as possible.

The health and safety of everyone in the game and the wider community remains the priority.

The AFL would like to thank the VFL and VFLW communities, each club, players and families and all football fans for their continued patience and understanding as we continue to navigate through this pandemic together.

Yesterday’s announcement of another state-wide lockdown in Victorian means the VFL season has been put on pause once more. We were set to play Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval tomorrow in the battle for the K Rock Cup but that match along with all others games for Round 17 is obviously now off.

With the lockdown due to end next Friday, the AFL will continue to plan for matches on August 14 & 15. Let’s hope it’s positive news next this time next week and we can again get back on the park.