A league-wide bye in the Geelong Football League meant the Big W had just eight players turn out in local competitions last weekend. Despite the limited numbers there were plenty of good performances across the board.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
Another strong showing and one of his side’s best in a good win over Hoppers Crossing. With the opposition looking to be physical against him, he responded well both in the ruck and around the ground tallying 38 hit-outs (10 to advantage) and 23 disposals including 11 clearances.

Michael Selsby - Yarraville Seddon
A selfless and team orientated performance in the Eagles’ second straight win. Had 26 disposals (nine clearances, six inside 50s) at 80 percent efficiency. His organisation and blocking at stoppages stood out and made those around him better. Hit the scoreboard too, leading the way with three majors.

Sam Clifford - Hoppers Crossing
Didn’t get a lot of good looks as the Warriors were well beaten by Yarraville Seddon but used his 15 disposals well going at 93 percent efficiency in his role off half-back.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Lachlan Smart - Deer Park (Local Player of the Week)
Best on ground in top three clash against Hillside with the Lions saluting by 26 points. Played deep forward and bagged seven goals from 10 scoring shots while bringing great forward pressure with eight tackles. Finished with 22 disposals in his most complete game this season.

Darcy Cassar - Keilor
A good showing in a comfortable win over Greenvale accumulating 25 disposals (17 kicks) at 84 percent efficiency. Lowered his eyes well to hit up his teammates across the day.

Josh Porter - Greenvale
One of the best for the Jets against the Keilor. Dominated around the ground with 26 disposals and was dangerous up forward booting a team-leading four goals. Had 12 marks for the day, five contested and tallied 35 hit-outs in the ruck.

Cam McLeod - Avondale Heights
Played a different role in Round 7, lining up in the backline against East Keilor. Used the ball well across 25 touches to go with five marks and three tackles in the defeat.

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBAL LEAGUE

Zayne Galea - Williamstown CYMS
Continuing his upward trajectory with another solid outing. Exuded confidence off half-back with 20 disposals and three intercept marks. Impressed offensively in the team’s narrow loss to De La Salle.

By Gerald Lynch

Every Werribee player through time will now be forever recognised with their own personal number with the club pleased to announce the official list of players that have represented the club in a senior VFA/VFL match. 

Almost 1000 players have lined up for Werribee in a senior game in the club’s 59-year existence, but it’s taken several years of research led by board member Ian Hovey, to piece together the list. 

With no official records from the club’s first four decades citing the round and/or date when players debuted, Hovey and others were tasked with combing through numerous club and league archives. 

With countless hours of research now complete, Brian Holcombe, who coached and captained Werribee in its inaugural season in 1965, is credited with being the club’s first ever player. 

After 10 rounds of the 2023 VFL season 953 players have now represented Werribee at senior level. 

Some of the notable names and their numbers include John Comben who was Werribee’s 62^nd overall player while Australian Test bowler Merv Hughes who appeared in 95 games was No. 214. 

Donald McDonald, Werribee’s only premiership coach was the 428th player to represent the club with his son, current North Melbourne captain Luke McDonald becoming the club’s 780th when he debuted 20 years after his father in 2013. 

Games record holder Robbie Castello was the 609th player for Werribee with leading goal kicker Kevin Leece listed at 102, while current senior coach Michael Barlow’s number is 670. 

The only Brownlow Medallist to have pulled on a Werribee jumper Adam Cooney, who played two games in 2004 during the club’s alignment with the Western Bulldogs, is player 606. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was great to now have the full list of player numbers on hand.    

“It’s been a big project with a lot of hours dedicated to it by Ian and Micki Hovey and Narelle Penaluna,” he said. 

“For a lot of our past players it’s not something many will be aware of, but we hope it creates a bit of interest amongst those that have previously played here.

“Going forward it’s something that they we can tell players when they debut and is hopefully something they will remember from their time at the club.”

To discover the full list of Werribee player history CLICK HERE

Any queries can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Image: The first Werribee team in 1965.

After a successful run of three straight home wins, Werribee will hit the road in Round 11 to take on fellow standalone Coburg on Saturday.

Having now recorded five consecutive victories the Big W will be out to extend their unbeaten run against the Lions, in what will be the club’s first trip to Coburg City Oval since 2018.

Coburg are yet to taste victory in 2023 but will be up for the fight after facing AFL-aligned sides the last two weeks on the back of two narrow losses in their previous two outings.

TEAM NEWS
The Big W have made three changes for the match against Coburg with experienced pair Michael Sodomaco and Josh Porter returning to the team alongside defender Jesse Clark.

Sodomaco and Clark both missed the clash with Casey while Porter last played against Essendon in Round 7. The trio replace Matt Hanson, Kobe Annand and Jack Riding, with the former two injured in last week's encounter. 

ROUND 11
Werribee vs Coburg
Saturday 3rd June, 1:05pm
Coburg City Oval

Round 11 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee backed up its win over an undefeated Gold Coast with another top four scalp, trumping reigning premier Casey at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 10.

Victory over the Demons came despite the hosts being two rotations down for the majority of the second half, with Kobe Annand and Matt Hanson going down injured after veteran Michael Sodomaco withdraw just before the bounce.

The 16.10 (106) to 12.6 (78) result was the Big W’s fifth straight win and sixth of the season and came in front of members of Werribee's 1993 premiership who watched on as part of the club's 30-year reunion.

It was far from the perfect start for the home team with Casey jumping out to a two-goal lead inside the opening three minutes, but the Big W would eventually get their game going, trailing by just two points at the first change.

Keegan Gray gave Werribee first blood in the second stanza with a quality finish in the second minute putting the hosts ahead for the first time, before second majors to Sam Paea and Hudson Garoni had the Big W nine points clear midway through the quarter.

Casey regained the lead for a second time at the 25-minute mark as a result of back-to-back goals, but Werribee then nailed three in the space of five minutes courtesy of Boyd, Garoni and Kye Declase to go 12 points up with a couple of minutes remaining in the half.  

Goals came in quick bursts for both teams in the third quarter with Casey adding two in little time to give them back the lead early before Werribee replied through Nick Hayes and Tom Gribble.

Two more majors for the Demons put the visitors in front again, however a miracle goal from the pocket by Matt Keast tied the scores at the 24-minute mark before Hayes and Noah Lever converted set shots to give Werribee a double figure advantage.

All five of Werribee’s third quarter goals came off turnovers with Louis Pinnuck, Nathan Cooper, Sam Closhey and Wardell Lual playing a big part in winning the ball back for the home team.  

With a six point margin in favour of Werribee going into the last the hosts would only stretch their lead with Bior Malual finally registering the Big W's 14^th goal of the day after six minor scores including five consecutive behinds.

A second major to Noah Lever following a strong pack mark and a Dom Brew stoppage-goal from a boundary throw-in all but confirmed the four points for Werribee at the 22-minute mark, while the defence capped the performance by holding Casey to just two behinds in the term.   

The final statistics again made for good reading for Werribee who came out on top in disposals (+86), contested possessions (+34), tackles (+18), inside 50s (+12) and clearances (+8).

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 2.2 8.3 13.4 16.10 (106)
Casey: 3.2 7.3 12.4 12.6 (78)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 3, N. Hayes 2, N. Lever, S. Paea 2, K. Gray, J. Boyd, D. Brew, K. Declase. T. Gribble, M. Keast, B. Malual.
Casey: J. Schache 2, J.Melksham 2, J. Smith 2, A. Moniz-Wakefield, B. Brown, G. Grey, M. Jefferson, T. McRae, M. White. 

BEST
Werribee: D. Brew, K. Declase, J. Boyd, N. Lever, T. Gribble, H. Garoni.

PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 33 disposals (22 K, 11 HB), 13 handball receives, 8 inside 50s, 7 clearances, 4 score involvements, 5 tackles, 1 goal.
Dom Brew: 28 disposals (20 K, 8 HB), 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 5 tackles.
Shaun Mannagh: 26 disposals, (20 K, 6 HB), 9 inside 50s, 6 clearances, 8 score involvements, 4 tackles.
Kye Declase: 23 disposals (14 K, 9 HB) at 91% efficiency, 10 handball receives, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles.
Louis Pinnuck: 19 disposals (15 K, 4 HB), 8 intercept possessions, 5 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.
Matt Hanson: 19 disposals (10 K, 9 HB), 12 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 tackles.
Jack Boyd: 15 disposals (5 K, 10 HB), 13 contested possessions, 3 contested marks, 23 hit-outs, 7 score involvements, 4 clearances, 1 goal.
Noah Lever: 12 disposals (6 K, 6 HB) at 92% efficiency, 4 intercepts, 4 score involvements, 2 goals.
Hudson Garoni: 10 disposals (6 K, 4 HB), 5 marks (1 contested), 5 score involvements, 3 tackles, 3 goals.

ROUND 10 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

NEXT GAME
Round 11
Werribee vs Coburg
Saturday 3rd June, 1:05pm
Coburg City Oval