THE SYDNEY v West Coast rivalry of the mid-2000s was one still looked back upon fondly by footy fans across the country. But in the VFL, reigning premier Werribee and Grand Finalist Southport are developing their own rivalry akin to that of the Swans and Eagles.
Throughout 2024 the Tigers and the Sharks faced off three times, for a combined margin of just 15 points, including the one goal Werribee Grand Final victory.
It is a rivalry that new Southport coach Matthew Primus respects, but is also keen to avoid for the next few months, following their round one battle in which Primus' side came out on top.
"They're so well drilled, they're so well coached, and so hard to play against. You can dominate them for periods of the game, but you can just never get away (from) them on the scoreboard, and it's always a close game," Primus said on the State of Play podcast of facing Werribee.
"I think a lot of their games are close, but they come out on top in 90 per cent of them. We have got a terrific rivalry over the last three years, we've played a lot of close games, whether they've been down there, up here, or final.
"And I think we have great respect for how they build their club and their list, even though they've had three or four guys drafted… it's great to have a rivalry with another standalone team."
There was a chance that Primus himself was going to have to contend with a significant loss this year, with co-captain Brayden Crossley spending some time with the Western Bulldogs in hopes of earning an SSP place at AFL level, but it wasn't to be – somewhat to the new coach's relief.
"It was good for him to go away there for two or three weeks, and fitness and AFL fitness and being in an AFL program, but we were a bit on tenterhooks," Primus admitted.
"You know, losing any kind of player's not good in February, but losing a ruckman when there's not many talls around, you know the AFL hog all the talls on their list… we're so thankful that he came back to us because he's great energy, he's a lively character, he's an outstanding ruckman.
"But it came at a good time, he came back to us in great condition, and it continued on Saturday, he was dominant for us."
Crossley's 48 hitouts, 15 disposals, and four clearances were a significant factor in Southport's Grand Final rematch victory on Saturday afternoon, pairing brilliantly with midfield stalwarts Boyd Woodcock and Jacob Dawson.
"You don't really have to coach them that much, they know what they need to do, they know what they need to work on if it's not working," Primus said.
"Just the ability to produce week in, week out."
