Western suburbs rivals Werribee and Williamstown went head-to-head in a spirited ANZAC Day clash.

A six-goal final quarter proved the difference, as Werribee powered home to claim a 20-point victory and lift the John Pyne Memorial Trophy, running out victors 12.7.79 to the Seagulls’ 8.11.59.

Werribee’s second home game of the season began with a stirring rendition of the Last Post, performed by John Mansfield, a 20-year Army Reservist.

Louis Pinnuck and Dom Brew continued their strong starts to the season, with Brew recording the most clearances in a single game so far in the 2025 VFL campaign.

Williamstown kicked off the game with club debutant Lachie Gollant booting the first major inside the opening five minutes, however after that the first term was all Werribee.

Flynn Young’s work rate was rewarded when he got out the back to mark a pinpoint pass from Zac Banch, before snapping Werribee’s first of twelve for the day. Harry Maguire made the most of a free kick to slot his first VFL goal at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval — the same ground where he starred in last year’s WFNL Grand Final, booting four goals in Hoppers Crossing’s thrilling premiership win.

After a three-goal performance against Sydney Banch picked up where he left off, closing out the quarter with two goals to help Werribee to a 16-point lead at the first break.

Jake Smith and Dom Brew led all comers with 10 disposals each at quarter time, with Smith also laying five tackles. Jay Dahlhaus was dangerous in the forward line, laying four tackles to keep the pressure high.

Williamstown wrestled momentum back in the second term, kicking three goals to Werribee’s one, a set shot from Hudson Garoni, who now has a staggering 28 consecutive games with a goal.

Werribee’s defence stood firm under heavy inside 50 pressure from Williamstown to take a two-point lead into half time.

Williamstown carried their momentum into the third term, booting the first two goals and registering the opening five shots on goal to push the margin out to two goals. Jay Dahlhaus steadied Werribee with his first of the day after drawing a free kick inside 50.

Williamstown led by seven points at three quarter time to set up a tight finish.

Zac Banch snapped his third of the day to open the final term, set up by Flynn Young in a reversal of Werribee’s first goal.

After setting up the previous goal Young then put Werribee in front with his second of the day

Myles McCluggage, quickly developing a knack for clutch moments, extended the lead with a tough set shot from the boundary. Lachie Gollant responded immediately with his fourth to drag Williamstown back into the contest.

However, Werribee did not slow down, with Cooper Whyte slotting another last-quarter goal before Harry Maguire iced the game with back-to-back set shots to seal the 20-point win.

Dom Brew was instrumental in the final term with 12 disposals. Flynn Young and Cooper Whyte were everywhere, while Jay Dahlhaus also had a major impact, finishing with two goal assists and playing a role in several other scoring chains.

After the match, Adam Pyne, son of the late John Pyne, presented Jesse Clark with the John Pyne Memorial Trophy. The trophy honours the Werribee Hall of Fame member’s significant 14-year contribution to the club. Pyne began as a player in 1975/76, later coached from 1977 to 1980, and served as Secretary (1982–85) and Vice President (1986–89), remaining involved until his passing in 1989.

ROUND 5 PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 4.0 5.1 6.3 12.7 (79)
Williamstown: 1.2 4.5 6.10 8.11 (59)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: D. Brew, L. Pinnuck, C. Whyte, J. Riding, S. Johnson, S. Conway
Williamstown: L. Gollant, J. Greiser, L. Parks, N. Colenso, F. O’Dwyer, R. Collier-Dawkins

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: Z. Banch (3), H. Maguire (3), F. Young (2), J. Dahlhaus, H. Garoni, M. McCluggage, C. Whyte
Williamstown: L. Gollant (4), D. Hollow (2), B. McLaughlin (2)

Next Match - Round 6
Werribee vs Frankston
Saturday, May 3, 1:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Exciting forward prospect Anthony Depasquale is Werribee’s sole change for the annual ANZAC Day blockbuster against Williamstown, named to make his long-awaited VFL debut.

After an injury-interrupted pre-season, Depasquale returned for Werribee’s final practice match and has remained in the selection frame since, travelling as the emergency to Southport and featuring among the emergencies across the opening four rounds.

Anthony Depasquale joined Werribee following a standout 2024 season with Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League, where the 21-year-old forward made a name for himself as a prolific goalkicker.

He’s continued that form into 2025, producing two eye-catching performances to start the season, including a five-goal haul over the state league bye weekend and a dominant 36-disposal, four-goal display last weekend.

Depasquale has NAB League experience having played for Bendigo Pioneers in 2021. Since then, he has spent three seasons with Kyabram, consistently showcasing his strong goalkicking ability, booting more than 130 goals.

In his first season out of the NAB League in 2022, he booted 27 goals from 18 games at just 19 years of age and was selected to represent the GVFL in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Representative Games, a feat he repeated in 2024, kicking a game-high three goals against Ovens and Murray.

His 2024 campaign was dominant, leading the league with 73 goals from 19 matches at an average of nearly four goals per game. The medium-sized forward booted five or more goals on eight occasions, and has already equalled his previous best season tally within the opening seven weeks of this year.

Depasquale comes in for Jedd Longmire for Friday’s clash.

The ANZAC Day clash will be played for the John Pyne Memorial Trophy. The trophy honours the late John Pyne, a Werribee Hall of Fame member who made a significant 14-year contribution to the club. Pyne began as a player in 1975/76, later coached from 1977 to 1980, and served as Secretary (1982–85) and Vice President (1986–89), remaining involved until his passing in 1989.

Werribee currently leads the head-to-head tally for the trophy 18–14.

First bounce is at 1:05pm, with the game streamed live and free on afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for fans back home. Click here to watch live.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 5
Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday, April 25, 1:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval

Round 5 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Werribee’s second home game of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season will see the club take on western suburbs rivals Williamstown, with the John Pyne Memorial Trophy on the line.

The matchup also doubles as the league’s only ANZAC Day fixture, continuing a long-standing tradition between the two sides.

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:52pm to witness the on-field ANZAC Day ceremony.

BE THERE FOR ROUND 5 >>> Get your tickets now

The memorial trophy honours the late John Pyne — a Werribee Hall of Fame member who made a significant 14-year contribution to the club. Pyne began as a player in 1975/76, later coached from 1977 to 1980, and served as Secretary (1982–85) and Vice President (1986–89), remaining involved until his passing in 1989.

In recognition of his contribution, Werribee and Williamstown play for the John Pyne Memorial Trophy whenever the two sides meet during the season. Werribee currently leads the head-to-head tally 18–14.

John’s son, Adam Pyne, will represent the Pyne family and present the trophy to the winning captain following Friday’s match.

Another close contest looms, with the two sides sitting side-by-side on the ladder.

Both clubs played finals last season but have started 2025 with 1–3 records and will be eager to bounce back following tough Round 4 losses.

Werribee is coming off consecutive narrow losses, falling by two points to Sydney and four points to Footscray. Williamstown, meanwhile, suffered a 51-point loss to Coburg last week, following their opening win of the season in Round 3 over Frankston.

First bounce is at 1:05pm, with the game streamed live and free on afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for fans back home. Click here to watch live.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 5
Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday, April 25, 1:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval

Round 5 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

As many leagues had a league-wide bye for the Easter weekend, Werribee had 11 players play at local level, with some big performances in some marquee matches across six leagues.

Read the third edition of our 2025 Local Player Report to see how those next in line are tracking.

Goulburn Valley Football League

Anthony Depasquale - Kyabram

Depasquale continued his strong form to start the season, again being named in the best as Kyabram enjoyed a comfortable 105-point win over Benalla. Playing a mix of forward and midfield, he was a standout with 36 disposals, including a number of clearances whilst in the midfield, and then kicked four goals when up forward. In an improvement to his five goals from 13 shots on goal last week, he went at 75% effiency with the football against Benalla.

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna

Gugliotti was solid in defence during Mooroopna’s 28-point loss to top-four side Shepparton Swans. The reliable defender competed strongly all day, found plenty of the ball, and took six marks in a consistent showing down back.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League

Archer Gardiner - North Albury

Archer Gardiner was named North Albury’s Player of the Day in their 15-point Good Friday win over Wodonga. He made the most of his speed in a standout performance, getting on the end of three goals from the midfield. Gardiner continually took the game on and finished with six clearances and five inside 50s in a strong all-round showing.

Foster Gardiner - North Albury

Archer’s twin, Foster was also named in the best in the strong North Albury win. As usual his pressure was a highlight, which showed through his six tackles. Foster was also dangerous up forward, hitting the scoreboard for a goal, in a historical game where all four Gradiner brother booted a goal for the Hoppers.

Ray Murphy - Corowa-Rutherglen

Ray Murphy produced his best performance since returning from a year-long injury, starring in Corowa’s ten-goal win over the Wodonga Raiders. Named best afield for the Roos, Murphy was a standout through the midfield, finishing with 22 disposals and nine clearances. His ability to work through traffic and use the ball well were highlights of his day, going at an efficient 86% with the ball.

Bellarine Football Netball League

Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads

Jack Henderson competed well in a tough, 73-point loss for Barwon Heads to the reigning premiers Torquay. After halftime the key forward moved into the midfield, where he made an impact, looked good in the traffic, and picked up 12 contested possessions, including several clearances.

Western Football Netball League

Tom Stapleton - Parkside

Despite Parkside falling to a second straight loss by under a goal, Tom Stapleton was named the Magpies’ best. The versatile big man had an impact across the ground, impressing in the ruck and hitting the scoreboard to boot three goals.

Ballarat Football Netball League

Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh

After an early injury cut his game short last week, Rye Penny returned to play a full match in Bacchus Marsh's 17-point loss to East Point. Rotating between forward and defence, Penny used the ball well, hit the scoreboard with a goal, and was strong in one-on-one contests down back. He competed well at both ends and finished with five marks for the day.

Geelong Football Netball League

Tylar Watts - Leopold

Watts made his debut for Leopold in a Grand Final rematch against St Joseph’s after crossing from Geelong West. Despite the Lions going down, the big man impressed in the ruck, getting on top in hitouts and centre bounces while also recording multiple clearances and inside 50s. He provided strong support around the ground, particularly following stoppages.

Liam Kershaw - St. Josephs

Kershaw played another solid game on the wing in St. Joseph’s win, impressing on both sides of the ball. He finished with seven marks, including a few timely intercepts, and made smart decisions with ball in hand, using it well by foot across his 13 kicks.

Cooper Ward - St. Josephs

Lining up against Watts’ Leopold Lions, Ward’s St. Joseph’s got the win by eight goals. Ward played a team focused role off the ball, had good pressure, with strong tackle numbers.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.