Last weekend saw several players continue their good form while one player was among the best for his local side on Saturday before making his Werribee debut the next day against Essendon.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Aidan Johnson - Yarraville Seddon (Local Player of the Week)
A great first game back after being hit with another knee issue on the eve of the season. Had a strong presence up forward kicking two goals and provided a good option as a second ruck in his debut for the Eagles. Finished with 19 disposals, 5 contested marks and four tackles.

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
Continued his good form, again featuring in the best after a big day against Werribee Districts with 48 hit-outs including 14 to advantage, giving his midfielders first use. Seems to have now found the right balance with his ruck and forward rotation.  

Brandon Lester - Yarraville Seddon
Didn’t find a lot of the ball in tough conditions in his second game back but worked hard defensively in the team’s loss to Districts.

Samuel Clifford - Hoppers Crossing
Was really clean in wet conditions to be one of the best for Hoppers against Altona. Had 21 disposals, seven intercepts and used the ball well as the Warriors went down to the Vikings.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cam McLeod - Avondale Heights
In the best for the third straight week after providing a strong option in attack while collecting some strong intercepts across the ground. Pulled down seven marks and kicked two goals in a 28-point loss to Greenvale. Backed up the performance with a late call-up to debut against Essendon on Sunday.

Darcy Cassar - Keilor
Played as a high half-forward and also spent some time on the wing for Keilor as the Bulldogs continued their undefeated start to the year by cruising to a 50-win over Aberfeldie. Accumulated 25 disposals, eight marks, and five inside-50s.

Lachlan Smart - Deer Park
Kicked two goals and worked hard to earn seven contested possessions in a 131-point victory over Tullamarine, helping the Lions move into second on the ladder.

VICTORIAN AMATUER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Jack Boyd - Old Xaverians
Played a big role in a nice win over University Blues. Had 16 disposals with nine clearances along with 16 hit-outs. Contributed two goals up forward and assisted a number of others.

Zayne Galea - Williamstown CYMS
A solid defensive showing in a defeat to Beaumaris. Took five marks and was effective with his 11 disposals which included five rebound 50s.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Emmanuel Ajang - Geelong West
Played predominantly as an inside midfielder and found 22 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency in a 23-point triumph over Grovedale. Gave his all to help the Giants secure victory.

Matthew Keast - St Mary’s
Played a mixture of midfield and forward after an interrupted past two weeks. Had 17 disposals and four inside-50s in the Saints' tight win over Colac.

OVENS & MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Azzi - North Albury
Started slowly but worked his way into the game and was a solid contributor in the Hoppers' first win of the season. Positioned himself well and came across to intercept on multiple occasions. Collected 18 disposals with eight marks.

By Gerald Lynch

Werribee heads back home for a run of three straight games at Avalon Airport Oval beginning with a match-up against Footscray for the HealthWest Cup.

The Big W will be chasing back-to-back home triumphs and a third consecutive win after beating Williamstown in Round 5 and Essendon on the weekend.  

Footscray are currently 2-4 on the year after suffering a 13-point loss to GWS in Round 7. Prior to last week’s result the Bulldogs defeated Carlton by five points.

GAME DAY DETAILS
Gates open from 12pm with entry costing $10 for adults and concession $5. Kids under 16 are free. Members of both clubs will receive free entry to the match. If you are a Werribee member and haven't yet received your membership card please inform the gate attendant.

ROUND 8
Werribee vs Footscray
Sunday 15th May, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 8 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee has clawed its way to a third win of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season with a come from behind triumph over Essendon in Round 7.

In mostly wet and windy conditions at the ‘Hangar’ Werribee produced a four-goal to one final quarter to claim victory by 18 points and move into the top eight for the first time this season.

Werribee lost star midfielder Tom Gribble on the morning of the match through illness, with developing forward Cam McLeod making his Werribee debut against his former club.

Despite the absence of the Gribble the league’s reigning J.J Liston medallist, Werribee’s remaining midfielders stepped up with Shaun Mannagh, Dom Brew and Jack Henderson leading the charge.

However, it was second-year forward Sam Paea who took the spotlight booting a career-high four goals in a breakout performance at VFL level.

Paea kicked his first goal on the stroke of halftime and would kick Werribee’s only major of the third quarter before nailing two in the final term to get the Big W home.

Werribee was held scoreless in the opening quarter with the visitors limited by a strong breeze, only going inside going inside 50 on five occasions while the Bombers kicked 3.4 from 13 entries.

Kicking with the wind Werribee’s first score came just two minutes into the second stanza with Connor Thar converting the free kick he won from deep in the pocket, and a five-goal term would see the Big W turn a 22-point quarter-time deficit into a 12-point advantage at the main break.

Kye Declase collected 20 of his 31 disposals in the opening half with Bailey Henderson, Kobe Annand and Josh Porter the other goal kickers for Werribee alongside Thar and Paea.

With both sides unable to score at the pavilion end of the ground in the opening two quarters Werribee became the first team to do so with a behind early in the third before Paea goaled eight minutes into term following some brilliant defensive pressure from Bailey Henderson.

Essendon was quick to reply to Paea’s second major and would end the quarter with consecutive goals to take a three-point lead in to the last.  

It took almost 11 minutes for the first goal to be kicked in the final quarter and it came from an unlikely type with Werribee captain Nick Coughlan nailing his first of the season from just inside 50.

The Bombers regained the lead a minute and a half later but back-to-back Paea goals midway through the term would set the visitors on the path to victory.

Bior Malual then made Essendon pay for a costly turnover exiting defence to all but lock up the four points for Werribee.

The Big W finished with close to 60 inside 50s for the third straight game while taking the honours in other key statistical categories enjoying 10 per cent more time in possession, while leading contested possessions (149-137), clearances (39-33) and tackles (96-75).

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 0.0 5.4 6.7 10.11 (71)
Essendon: 3.4 3.4 7.4 8.5 (53)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Paea 4, K. Annand, N. Coughlan, B. Henderson, B. Malual, J. Porter, C. Thar.
Essendon: K. Baldwin 2, Q. Narkle 2, T. Wanganeen 2, J. Brown, P. Voss.

BEST
Werribee: S. Paea, D. Brew, K. Declase, S. Mannagh, N. Coughlan, W. Lual.

ROUND 7 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

PLAYER STATS
Kye Declase: 31 disposals (21 K, 10 HB), 17 handball receives, 10 marks (1 contested), 5 inside 50s, 3 clearances, 3 tackles.
Shaun Mannagh: 28 disposal (16 K, 12 HB), 11 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 8 tackles.
Dom Brew: 24 disposals (14 K 10 HB), 14 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 score involvements, 9 tackles.
Jack Henderson: 22 disposals (15 K 7 HB), 8 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 8 tackles.
Nick Coughlan: 20 disposals (16 K, 4 HB) at 80% efficiency, 6 marks (5 intercept), 9 rebound 50s, 4 score involvements, 1 goal.
Sam Paea: 14 disposals (10 K, 4 HB), 5 marks (2 contested), 5 score involvements, 4 goals.
Sam Clohesy: 14 disposals (9 K, 5 HB), 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 clearances, 2 tackles.
Jesse Clark: 12 disposals (10 K, 2 HB), 4 marks (3 intercept), 3 rebound 50s, 2 tackles.

NEXT MATCH 
Round 8
Werribee vs Footscray
Sunday 15th May, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval

Although The Big W had the week off, a number of players plied their trade and produced strong showings at local level.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
With 40-hitouts, 15 disposals and four tackles Deng was one of the best for Yarraville as they went down to a strong Caroline Springs outfit. Had a strong, aggressive presence during the game.

Michael Selsby - Yarraville Seddon (Local Player of the Week)
Best on ground for the Eagles, kicking five goals while playing primarily through the midfield. Worked hard back the other way too, finishing the day with four tackles in the 63-point loss to the Lakers.

Brandon Lester - Yarraville Seddon
In his returning from injury settled into the game well off half-back and got through the match without any issues. A solid first game back.

Sam Clifford - Hoppers Crossing
Used the ball well across his 19 disposals, which included seven marks and six rebound 50s, as the Warriors ran out 70-point winners over Spotswood.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Noah Gribble - Geelong West
A foot injury late in the match soured an excellent performance in a 99-point triumph over St Albans. Collected 25 disposals and used it really well going at 88 percent efficiency.

Keegan Gray - Bell Park
Lifted late in the game to help his side over the line for a 21-point win versus Lara. Had 26 disposals and 10 marks and stood out with great leadership and poise in the decisive moments.

Flynn Young – Newtown & Chilwell
Limited by a sore back in his side’s Round 3 clash with South Barwon but created some chances around goal in a three-point win.

Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell
Improved on his last outing for the Eagles after missing last week. Accumulated 22 disposals at 82 percent efficiency with 13 marks. His damaging run was important in the victory over the Swans.

Matt Keast - St Mary’s
Was effective in a 16-disposal outing despite being hampered by a cork. Also had four inside 50s and three tackles in his side’s 34-point win against Leopold.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cam McCleod - Avondale Heights
Off the back of a four-day break kicked three first half goals before ending the day with 15 disposals and six marks in a 44-point defeat to Doutta Stars. Was named second best for Heights.

Lachlan Smart - Deer Park
Another strong performance this week with 18 disposals, six inside 50s and three goals in a three-point loss to West Coburg.

VICTORIAN AMATUER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Jack Boyd - Old Xavierians
Spent half the game forward and the other half in the ruck in a strong 66-point away win over Caulfield Grammarians. Played with good energy and was one of three Xavs players to kick three goals. Tallied 19 disposals and 12 hit-outs.

Zayne Galea - Williamstown CYMS
Continues to build in his return from injury collecting 17 disposals, seven marks and four tackles in a five-goal loss to St Bedes / Mentone.

BALLARAT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jesse Clark – Sebastopol
Played well, was rarely beaten one-on-one and barely wasted a disposal going forward in a tight loss to Melton. Had 23 disposals including eight intercept possessions and organised the side well in his first outing for the Vikings.

By Gerald Lynch