While the VFL Wildcard Round gave Werribee a weekend without a game, the playing group remained busy across Saturday.

While a large number of players hit the training track for a Saturday morning session at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, 16 Werribee-listed players represented their local clubs across nine competitions.

The weekend was highlighted by Jake Smith making an outstanding return from a knee injury in his first game since June 13, collecting 29 disposals and being named Old Haileybury's best player.

Several local competitions also reached the end of their home-and-away seasons, with a number of Werribee-listed players now preparing for finals this weekend.

Read how all 16 players performed in this week's edition of the Weekly Local Player Report.

Victorian Amateur Football Association:

Jake Smith - Old Haileybury
Smith made an outstanding return from a knee injury in his first game since June 13 as Old Haileybury fell to ladder leaders Old Xaverians by 54 points. Playing his first local game since 2024, Smith showed no signs of rust in his first game in almost three months, collecting 11 disposals in the opening term. He finished with 29 disposals at 76% efficiency, including eight contested possessions, along with eight marks, six clearances, five inside 50s, five intercept possessions and five tackles. Smith showed his VFL quality, looking a class above throughout an excellent return, and was named best on ground for Old Haileybury despite the defeat.

Western Football Netball League:

Josh Kellett - Werribee Districts
Kellett played an important role as Werribee Districts defeated Yarraville Seddon by 17 points to secure the minor premiership. In a scrappy contest between the competition's top two sides, the defender stood out with his composure under pressure and ability to connect with teammates by hand and foot. He finished with 22 disposals, six marks, seven intercept possessions and 11 rebound 50s. Kellett was named in the best, with the victory earning Werribee Districts a week off in the opening round of the finals.

Rani Pavlidis - Werribee Districts
Pavlidis worked his way into the contest alongside Kellett in Werribee Districts' minor premiership-clinching victory. He collected 13 disposals, including five contested possessions, along with three marks and three tackles. In a game without much flow, Pavlidis became more involved after half time and continued to work hard at ground level, supporting aerial contests and applying pressure inside 50.

Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville Seddon
Kliszewski showed promising signs as Yarraville Seddon fell to Werribee Districts and finished the regular season in second place. Sharing his time between the forward line and ruck, he recorded 13 disposals, including nine contested possessions, seven marks, six of which were contested, eight hitouts and a goal. Kliszewski's competitiveness and marking were standout features as he continued to regain his touch, earning him a place in the best players.

Emerson Jeka - Altona
Jeka produced a strong performance in Altona's final game of the season despite a 36-point loss to Caroline Springs. Playing predominantly forward, he collected 21 disposals at 81% efficiency, eight marks and nine score involvements. Jeka led strongly, competed well and used the ball cleanly, while his communication and direction of Altona's younger players were also valuable. He moved well across the ground in his second game back as Altona closed its season in 11th place, second last on the WFNL ladder.

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League:

Reuben Rode - Kyabram
Rode produced his best ball-winning performance of the season as Kyabram defeated Euroa by 28 points. Playing a mixture of midfield and forward, he collected a season-high 25 disposals, including nine contested possessions, along with seven clearances, seven score involvements, five intercept possessions and four tackles. Rode worked hard, defended well and became involved in more of Kyabram's scoring chains. The victory secured fifth spot and a meeting with the Shepparton Swans in an elimination final this weekend.

Bior Malual - Seymour
Malual contributed strongly as Seymour completed its home-and-away season with a 64-point victory over Tatura. Playing across the wing and forward line, he collected 17 disposals at 76% efficiency, four marks, six inside 50s and three tackles while also kicking a goal. The game provided Malual with a valuable run after a week off, with his work rate and ability to connect Seymour into attack helping the side finish the regular season in third place.

Riddell District Football Netball League:

Nash King - Wallan
King stood up in Wallan's qualifying final despite the Magpies suffering a 49-point loss to Diggers Rest. The midfielder collected 29 disposals, including 11 contested possessions, along with eight clearances, six marks, six tackles and a goal. King continued to compete strongly throughout the afternoon and maintained an excellent attitude in a difficult game. After losing just once during the home-and-away season, Wallan will now face Kyneton in a semi final this weekend.

Hampden Football Netball League:

Myles McCluggage - South Warrnambool
McCluggage finished his season with an excellent performance despite South Warrnambool's 39-point loss to North Warrnambool. Splitting his time between the midfield and half back, he collected 28 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s, four tackles and three rebound 50s. McCluggage continued to work hard and provide run off half back throughout a difficult contest as South Warrnambool's season came to an end, narrowly missing the finals.

Tylar Watts - Portland
Watts again provided Portland with strong leadership and stability as they defeated Taylor's Cobden to close the home-and-away season. The ruckman recorded 18 disposals, including eight contested possessions, 43 hitouts, 10 to advantage, four marks and three clearances before being managed through the closing stages. Portland finished fourth and will face Warrnambool in an elimination final this weekend.

Archie Taylor - Cobden
Taylor showed plenty of resilience in Cobden's final game of the season as the Bombers went down to Portland by 73 points. Despite carrying a knee injury, the midfielder still produced several strong moments and finished with 19 disposals, three marks, two clearances and two tackles. The game concluded an impressive first season of senior football for Taylor, with Cobden finishing ninth.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:

Foster Gardiner - North Albury
Gardiner produced arguably his best performance of the season as North Albury defeated Corowa Rutherglen by 35 points. Providing plenty of run from half back, he collected 28 disposals at 89% efficiency, including seven contested possessions, along with six marks, eight intercept possessions, six score involvements and four tackles. Gardiner defended strongly, took the game on and used the ball exceptionally well as North Albury finished its season in seventh place.

Cooper Hall - Lavington
Hall completed his season with a solid performance as Lavington defeated Wodonga Raiders by 77 points. The midfielder collected 15 disposals at 80% efficiency, including five contested possessions, along with two marks. Hall remained composed and used the ball cleanly in the comfortable victory, capping an impressive first season of senior football for the youngster as Lavington finished sixth.

Essendon District Football League:

Tom Cappellari - Essendon Doutta Stars
Cappellari continued his strong form as Essendon Doutta Stars defeated Greenvale by 17 points. Playing on the wing throughout the afternoon, he collected 28 disposals, including seven contested possessions, along with eight marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and three tackles. Cappellari covered the ground well as usual and used the ball well, earning a place in the best players. The Doutta Stars finished fourth and will face Maribyrnong Park in an elimination final this weekend.

Geelong Football Netball League:

Liam Kershaw - St Joseph's
Kershaw maintained his excellent form as St Joseph's recorded an 83-point victory over Colac. The defender collected 23 disposals at 78% efficiency, including 10 contested possessions, along with four marks and three rebound 50s. Kershaw again performed at a high standard across the back half and was named in the best players for the sixth consecutive week. St Joseph's now has one game remaining before finals.

Bellarine Football Netball League:

Tom Webster - Newcomb
Webster had a quieter afternoon following his outstanding recent run of form as Newcomb fell to Torquay by 43 points. The key forward finished with 11 disposals, six marks and a goal in the final round of the home-and-away season. Despite not reaching the high standards of his recent performances, Webster still provided a target in attack and will look to bounce back when Newcomb faces Barwon Heads in an elimination final this weekend.