While Werribee had their final bye of the season before heading into their last home game of 2025, 18 players pulled on the boots across ten different local leagues, with several putting together strong performances.
Read how the Werribee-listed players fared in the 18th edition of the Weekly Player Report.
Geelong Football Netball League:
Josh Sanders - Lara
Named in the best, Josh Sanders continued to shine in Lara’s back half despite a lopsided result against Colac. He finished with 38 disposals, 10 marks and 15 rebound 50s, used the ball well under pressure and defended strongly on his direct opponent all game. Despite his young age, he showed terrific leadership throughout the day.
Tylar Watts - Leopold
Tylar Watts showed good patches in Leopold’s 17-point loss to St Joseph’s. Playing mainly in the ruck, he finished with 21 hitouts, including six to advantage, and followed up well with 12 disposals and six tackles. His work at stoppage and around the ground continued to be a strength. However, the reigning premiers now sit seventh on the ladder after the loss.
Ben Kellett - South Barwon
Kellett competed well in the ruck in South Barwon’s 22-point loss to Newtown & Chilwell, finishing with 10 disposals at 90% efficiency and five tackles. He faced a much bigger-bodied opponent but held his own around the ground, with his follow-up efforts and physicality at ground level a clear strength throughout the day.
Bellarine Football Netball League:
Luke Preece - Drysdale
Luke Preece returned to Drysdale after his first two games of VFL football with Werribee’s bye and helped his side to their first win in three weeks. Preece was influential in the 45-point win over Ocean Grove, which put them fourth on the ladder, gathering 24 disposals at an elite 83% efficiency, including 14 marks with a massive six intercept grabs. The defender’s intercept marking and ball use out of the back line helped set the game up early and put the game out of reach.
Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:
Foster Gardiner - North Albury
Returning to the O&M during Werribee’s bye after a run of seven consecutive games at VFL level, Foster Gardiner was named in the best in North Albury’s 23-point win over Wangaratta in an important result for the finals race. He had 15 disposals, eight contested possessions and kicked a goal. He was involved in plenty during a strong second quarter and brought his trademark energy throughout the game.
Archer Gardiner - North Albury
Playing alongside his twin Foster, Archer Gardiner played mainly on the wing in the Hoppers’ win and was again solid. He finished with 16 disposals, three marks and seven tackles, with his defensive pressure a highlight, as it is weekly for the North Albury midfielder.
Jedd Longmire - Corowa-Rutherglen
Jedd Longmire was again named in the best in a 23-point loss to Wodonga, continuing his consistent run of form. He finished with 19 disposals at 74%, nine contested possessions and a goal. His defensive pressure and composure with the ball stood out, as did his willingness to take the game on.
Ray Murphy - Corowa Rutherglen:
Murphy finished with 15 disposals, eight contested possessions and five tackles, along with a goal. The midfielder’s strength in traffic and ability to push the ball forward were key features, and was praised for his drive and ability to bring run into the game, as he continues to build his impact week by week.
Essendon District Football Netball League:
Hayden Gill - Deer Park
Hayden Gill starred as Deer Park smashed East Keilor by 127 points. Playing predominantly forward, while also pinch-hitting in the ruck, Gill picked up a massive 15 marks on his way to 22 disposals and booted a season-high five goals in a dominant performance against an undermanned side.
Ballarat Football Netball League:
Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh
Penny was again named in the best as Bacchus Marsh edged out Melton by four points in a huge upset win to remain fifth on the BFNL ladder. He had 13 disposals and four marks, was dependable down back and swung forward late to help create scoreboard pressure in the tight win. His aerial contests remained a standout, with Penny taking another Mark of the Year contender, and likely now holding all three nominations for the award.
Isaac Nixon - Bacchus Marsh
Nixon showed positive signs up forward in Bacchus Marsh’s upset win over Melton, finishing with 17 disposals, 11 contested possessions and seven marks. He kicked one goal from four shots, leaving a few out on the table, but was involved in nine scoring chains. In a strong patch of form across the second half of the season, his forward presence and attack on the contest stood out in the important win.
Victorian Amateur Football Association:
Sam Allen - Old Ivanhoe
Allen returned from five weeks on the sidelines and made an immediate impact, kicking the first goal of the game and adding another in the third quarter. While he didn’t get a huge amount of the ball, he presented well, was lively across the day, and showed good signs in his return as Old Ivanhoe’s defeated Old Camberwell by eight points.
Goulburn Valley Football Netball League:
Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
Named in the best for the third straight week, Gugliotti finished with 17 disposals and five tackles in Mooroopna’s 79-point loss to Euroa. He was strong in defence early and had a real impact when moved into the midfield in the final term, an untried position for the defender this season.
Northern Football Netball League:
Cam Wild - Hurstbridge
Cam Wild stuffed the stat sheet in a strong inside midfield performance for Hurstbridge in a five-point win over South Morang. He gathered 26 disposals, including 19 contested possessions, along with five clearances, six tackles and a goal. He continues to build form towards the business end of the local season, as Hurstbridge sit fifth on the NFNL ladder.
Western Football Netball League:
Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville Seddon Eagles
After a couple of games post-VFL debut, Kliszewski returned to Yarraville Seddon over the bye and was named in the best in a tight win over Spotswood. Playing forward and rotating through the ruck, Wil stood out with his work rate and contested marking, finishing with seven marks among his 18 disposals, and booted three goals in another strong local performance.
Harry Maguire - Hoppers Crossing
Maguire finished with 12 disposals and three goals in Hoppers Crossing’s 14-point win over Point Cook. While his first half was quiet, he worked into the game after the main break to hit the scoreboard and apply pressure forward of centre, as Hoppers Crossing continue to look dangerous heading into WFNL finals.
Spencer Johnson - Altona
Johnson had 17 disposals and seven marks in Altona’s 73-point win over Point Cook Centrals and was looking dominant before his day ended early with a facial injury in his first game back from the concussion suffered against Casey. He looked a level above with ball in hand, executing well under pressure, and his coaches praised his leadership, voice and ability to direct younger players.
Hampden Football Netball League:
Jackson Grundy - North Warrnambool
Jackson Grundy played another strong game through the midfield as North Warrnambool continued their outstanding season, enjoying a 68-point win over Cobden to go four wins clear on top. His clearance work and ability to break from stoppage were again standouts in another composed performance, as Grundy continues his strong local form for the 2025 season.
