Garoni kicked off proceedings for the home side after being found by Jay Dahlhaus inside 50, calmly converting the opening goal of the day from 45 metres out.

It would prove to be Werribee’s only major of the first term, as they trailed the Cats by seven points at the first break.

Young midfielder Jake Smith, who spent time on the wing, led the way early with eight first-quarter possessions.

Brady Wright opened the second term with his first goal after Anthony Depasquale found him free inside 50. Garoni struck again just a minute later to regain the lead for Werribee.

The game opened up in the second quarter with goals at both ends. Garoni added his third of the half before Geelong went on a mini-run to take a nine-point lead into the main break.

Daly Andrews showed a glimpse of what Werribee fans had missed during his 315-day absence, running down the wing with three bounces before hitting Bior Malual with a well-placed pass inside 50 for a set shot just before halftime.

Jack Riding got Werribee going early in the third with a snapping goal from a stoppage, but Geelong’s Marcus Herbert responded shortly after.

Big man Harry Maguire provided good pressure inside 50, and caught former Werribee player Jay Rantall holding the ball inside 50 to slot his first of the day and 13th goal of the season. Then Jack Riding booted a massive goal from well outside 50 to cut the margin to just one point.

Late goals from Ky Annand and Ollie Henry pushed the Cats' lead back out to 16 points at the final change.

Garoni kicked his fourth to open the last quarter, trimming the gap again, but Henry’s second for the term restored the 16-point buffer.

Werribee then produced their best football of the day, piling on three goals in four minutes to hit the front heading into time-on. Maguire made it multiple goals in six of his last seven games, Harry Miller finished off a coast-to-coast play, and Malual capped the run with a clever crumbing snap to regain the lead.

In a seesawing finish, Geelong responded with two goals in three minutes to regain the lead and stretch it beyond a kick.

Garoni brought the margin back to two points with a strong contested mark and finish, but Werribee couldn’t find a winner in the dying stages and fell short.

Sam Conway delivered a career-best performance in the ruck, recording personal highs in disposals, marks, and hitouts. Ryan Eyers continued his strong form down back, Jake Smith impressed on the wing, and Daly Andrews showed plenty of spark in his long-awaited return.

ROUND 12 PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORES:
Werribee: 1.2 4.3 7.4 12.7 (79)
Geelong: 2.3 5.6 8.14 11.15 (81)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: Hudson Garoni, Sam Conway, Ryan Eyers, Jake Smith, Jay Dahlhaus, Dominic Brew
Geelong: George Stevens, Jhye Clark, Marcus Herbert, Kye Annand, Mitchell Knevitt, Jed Bews

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: H. Garoni (5), H. Maguire (2), J. Riding (2), B. Malual, H. Miller, B. Wright
Geelong: K. Annand (2), J. Ballantyne (2), O. Henry (2), M. Herbert, T. Murray, J. Polkinghorne, P. Retschko, O Wiltshire

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.