Redemption for a decade ago just as vital as history for WAFLFriday, May 26, 2017 - 12:59 PM - by Chris Pike

HISTORY beckons the WAFL State Team against the VFL on Saturday but redemption for what happened at the very same venue 10 years ago will be every bit as important.

No West Australian team has ever defeated Victoria in Melbourne. 

The first attempt was in 1904 and in 23 tries since whether it has been State of Origin or representative State matches, the Big V has always been able to prevail over the Black Swans.

WA did break a significant drought against Victoria when the WAFL defeated the VFL by 17 at Northam in 2013 winning over the Big V for the first time in 22 years, but nothing would beat getting that first win over the Victorians on their home turf.

There have been 24 losses in Melbourne by WA teams, but perhaps none worse nor more embarrassing than what happened in 2007.

Now the first chance at redemption from that 119-point loss presents this Saturday and it just happens to be at the very same venue, Port Melbourne's North Port Oval.

Anyone there that day would know what a dark day for WA football it was, there's no escaping that and that's perhaps highlighted even further with the fact that it's taken 10 years to make it back to Melbourne for the chance at redemption.

There were few excuses for what happened either. The ground's dimensions and odd shape made life difficult and the terrain was unfamiliar compared to back home in WA. But that shouldn’t have accounted for a 119-point loss.

The talent in the group of WA players that day was remarkable as well led by well-credentialed coach Ashley Prescott and captained by Brownlow Medallist Shane Woewodin in the final season of his decorated playing career.

The WAFL team featured Sandover Medallists Hayden Ballantyne, Jaxon Crabb and Anthony Jones, premiership captains Marc Webb, Jason Salecic, Josh Roberts and Aidan Parker, and outstanding servants Daniel Haines, Adam Hay, Todd Holmes, Adam Lange, Troy Longmuir and Luke Newick.

It has taken a decade for that result to have the chance to be redeemed back on the very same ground this Saturday.

The WAFL has beaten the VFL and SANFL on home turf in recent years, now doing so on the road is the next challenge and it's one that WA coach Michael Broadbridge is sure that his squad is ready for in 2017.

"We've never been able to do it in the history of WA footy so this is the ultimate challenge. We haven’t gone overboard in the prep in terms of focusing on that, but they are all acutely aware that they have the chance to make history this weekend. We are all looking forward to that," Broadbridge said.

"The opportunity to make history doesn’t come around very often. We've all got a chance to do that and by 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon when the siren goes, it would be awesome to have the guys' names written down as history makers."

That day back in 2007 is one that most involved would like to forget and while none of the players will be back again 10 years later, there's no doubt the tough lessons will have been learned.

The WAFL team of 2017 will be much better equipped to play on the strangely shaped ground at Port Melbourne this time around and will look to have a game plan capable of challenging the Victorians.

But looking back 10 years ago, Prescott did feel the preparation was what he would have hoped and he was somewhat lost for answers for what happened once the siren sounded.

"We knew it would be a tough ask, but we prepared pretty well and felt we had a squad that could be competitive, but we just didn’t bring that into the game. I think it was a combination of a number of things," Prescott said at the time.

"The conditions were blowing a bit and with that we went into our shells and didn’t have the confidence to hit our targets. We were playing static footy, and that plays into their hands. I also think that they were harder in and too strong at the stoppages.

"They were so clean with the handballing and foot skills, that we had no answer for it. The ground had a lot to do with it as well. The centre wicket area was something that our boys weren’t used to, and at times it was like they were on rollerskates."

Woewodin was the WAFL captain that day. That was an honour he was proud of in his last season of his 250-game playing career between Melbourne and Collingwood in the AFL, and East Fremantle in the WAFL.

But it turned out a day he would rather forget on what promised a memorable occasion on his return to play in Melbourne for one last time.

"Without question it is the second most embarrassing moment of my life, right up there with Foundation Day last year (2006)," Woewodin said at the time.

"The boys had all been terrific at training with a great attitude, we were well prepared to come over here and play well, but after we had a good start, but couldn’t make the most of our opportunities, the second half was a whitewash, and it was very disappointing.

"It was still a great honour to lead the boys out, and to do it in Melbourne, which was home to me for 10 years. It was a really disappointing day and I would have loved to take more out of it, but I couldn’t."