Werribee sharp-shooter Hudson Garoni has called an end to his VFL career after seven seasons with the club.

The 25-year-old premiership forward capped his final year by securing a fourth consecutive club leading goalkicker award, finishing with 43 goals from 17 games in 2025. In doing so, he became the first Tiger since Werribee great James Podsiadly to achieve the feat four years in a row.

Garoni’s consistency was further recognised with a career-best runner-up finish in the 2025 Bruce Montgomery Trophy. It was during his acceptance speech on the night that he revealed his decision to retire.

“It was obviously a pretty difficult decision… I’ve loved my time here at Werribee, and I couldn’t thank Pena [Mark Penaluna] and the team more. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make, to be honest.”

He added, “I love the boys, obviously so much, and the coaching staff. It was pretty tough, definitely a couple of sleepless nights there.”

Garoni retires seventh on Werribee’s all-time goal tally with 187 goals from 86 games, and will now continue his footballing journey with his junior club, the Wodonga Bulldogs.

Garoni joined Werribee in 2019 as a Murray Bushrangers graduate and Wodonga product. Debuting in Round 19 of that year against Box Hill in the Beyond Blue Cup, he was presented with his jumper by fellow Bushranger Matt Munro and kicked a goal with his first kick. From that moment, he became one of the VFL’s most reliable forwards, building an unmatched streak of 40 consecutive games with at least one goal by the end of 2025, stretching back to the 2023 preliminary final.

His first club leading goalkicker award came in 2022 when he kicked 32 goals, including three bags of five. In 2023, he elevated his game, finishing with 45 goals and a career-best haul of six against Williamstown on Past Players Day. That year, he placed third in the Frosty Miller Medal and earned selection in the Big V representative team, while also playing a key role in Werribee’s run to the grand final.

In 2024, he reached his 50th VFL game, played all 21 matches, and set a new career mark with 49 goals. He was selected in his second consecutive VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad and was the only player in the competition to kick a goal in every game of the home and away season, again finishing third in the Frosty count. His consistency carried into the finals, where he kicked three goals in the preliminary final win over Brisbane, including two in the last quarter to turn the game. In the Grand Final, he once again hit the scoreboard, kicking the goal that gave Werribee the lead as they came from behind to claim the premiership. Reflecting on the triumph, Garoni said, “We knew we weren’t playing our best footy at half time, so to run over them like that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Team success is why we play, so it is unbelievable.”

Garoni’s goal-scoring run continued into 2025 as he piled on another 43 goals, booting majors in all 17 games he played.

Highlights of his final season included an equal career-best haul of six goals against preliminary finalists Frankston, a game where he also pulled down an all-time equal VFL record of 11 marks inside 50 (later surpassed by Southport’s Hugh Dixon in a 109-point win over the Northern Bullants in Round 10). He also kicked four goals against the Bullants in what would ultimately be his final outing in Werribee colours.

Hudson, along with his parents, Brett and Steph, who have been such loyal supporters of the club, will be sorely missed around Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.