Werribee suffered its third loss by under a goal this season, falling by two points to Geelong on Saturday.

In a spirited last-quarter fightback, Werribee booted five goals in front of a vocal home crowd but the Cats held on to win, 11.15 (81) to 12.7 (79).

Hudson Garoni was a shining light, booting five goals and taking eight marks in an inspiring performance that saw him named Werribee’s Round 12 Totally Workwear Player of the Match. Reflecting on Garoni’s effort, Jimmy Allan said, “He provided an excellent target all day. To kick 5 on a day where we had so few inside 50s was an outstanding effort, but the thing that is really standing out recently is his work rate and defensive pressure.”

Garoni kicked off proceedings for the home side after being found by Jay Dahlhaus inside 50, calmly converting the opening goal of the day from 45 metres out.

It would prove to be Werribee’s only major of the first term, as they trailed the Cats by seven points at the first break.

Young midfielder Jake Smith, who spent time on the wing, led the way early with eight first-quarter possessions.

Brady Wright opened the second term with his first goal after Anthony Depasquale found him free inside 50. Garoni struck again just a minute later to regain the lead for Werribee.

The game opened up in the second quarter with goals at both ends. Garoni added his third of the half before Geelong went on a mini-run to take a nine-point lead into the main break.

Daly Andrews showed a glimpse of what Werribee fans had missed during his 315-day absence, running down the wing with three bounces before hitting Bior Malual with a well-placed pass inside 50 for a set shot just before halftime.

Jack Riding got Werribee going early in the third with a snapping goal from a stoppage, but Geelong’s Marcus Herbert responded shortly after.

Big man Harry Maguire provided good pressure inside 50, and caught former Werribee player Jay Rantall holding the ball inside 50 to slot his first of the day and 13th goal of the season. Then Jack Riding booted a massive goal from well outside 50 to cut the margin to just one point.

Late goals from Ky Annand and Ollie Henry pushed the Cats' lead back out to 16 points at the final change.

Garoni kicked his fourth to open the last quarter, trimming the gap again, but Henry’s second for the term restored the 16-point buffer.

Werribee then produced their best football of the day, piling on three goals in four minutes to hit the front heading into time-on. Maguire made it multiple goals in six of his last seven games, Harry Miller finished off a coast-to-coast play, and Malual capped the run with a clever crumbing snap to regain the lead.

In a seesawing finish, Geelong responded with two goals in three minutes to regain the lead and stretch it beyond a kick.

Garoni brought the margin back to two points with a strong contested mark and finish, but Werribee couldn’t find a winner in the dying stages and fell short.

Sam Conway delivered a career-best performance in the ruck, recording personal highs in disposals, marks, and hitouts. Ryan Eyers continued his strong form down back, Jake Smith impressed on the wing, and Daly Andrews showed plenty of spark in his long-awaited return.

ROUND 12 PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORES:
Werribee: 1.2 4.3 7.4 12.7 (79)
Geelong: 2.3 5.6 8.14 11.15 (81)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: Hudson Garoni, Sam Conway, Ryan Eyers, Jake Smith, Jay Dahlhaus, Dominic Brew
Geelong: George Stevens, Jhye Clark, Marcus Herbert, Kye Annand, Mitchell Knevitt, Jed Bews

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: H. Garoni (5), H. Maguire (2), J. Riding (2), B. Malual, H. Miller, B. Wright
Geelong: K. Annand (2), J. Ballantyne (2), O. Henry (2), M. Herbert, T. Murray, J. Polkinghorne, P. Retschko, O Wiltshire

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

The elevation of long-serving Werribee figure Alan Clayton to Legend status capped off a historic night at the club’s 60th Year “Then and Now” Celebration at Club Tarneit.

Clayton became just the 10th Legend in the club’s history, recognised for his service across playing, administration, operations, and volunteer roles that have left a lasting impact.

Clayton was presented the honour by Kevin Leece, the club’s all-time leading goalkicker with 406 goals across 111 games between 1971 and 1981, who delivered a heartfelt and humorous tribute.

“Even I'm getting a bit emotional here,” Leece said. “You've done everything... you’ve done the property steward, and when I was playing footy, not that I was much good at it, I never got any freebies, couldn’t get a sock out of you. Congratulations, I think you’re a champion bloke and you deserve to be a Legend.”

Clayton, who has served the club in a wide range of roles over several decades, was visibly moved as he accepted the honour.

“Very, very honoured. I didn’t expect it, but I’m very humble,” he said. “You look around the room here, the people I’ve worked with for over 40 to 50 years. I was 16, trying to get a game in the Under-19s. I only played seconds, and Bruce Comben said to me at quarter time, ‘You’re in the seniors next week,’ I snapped my hamstring in half, and that was the end of my football career.”

Although his playing career was brief, Clayton has dedicated more than 50 years to the club in a range of roles. After starting in the Under 19s and Reserves, he moved into off-field involvement as a board member and treasurer, and later played a key role in the running of the club’s sports club and bingo centre. He served as tribunal advocate, contributed to the stats team and social committee, and took on the role of property steward. When he and his wife Janet, started their business, Cheeselinks, they became immediate sponsors of the club. To this day, “Hutchie” does not miss a game at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, sponsors midfielder Ray Murphy, and remains actively involved in club fundraising efforts.

In his speech, Clayton made special mention of those who have helped shape his journey.

“I wanna thank my wife, Janet, to just everyone in the room. Mark [Penaluna]... yeah, there’s too many. I’ve made too many good friends,” he said. “I could spend an hour thanking everyone, but the old people that are still around and still part of the club.”

Clayton’s elevation capped off a historic night for the club, which also saw the induction of seven new Hall of Fame members: Chad Ravlich, George Riddiford, Kirk Norton, Jimmy Masterson, Robbie Castello, Ted Goodall and Martin Carter.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

The Werribee Football Club is pleased to announce Ian Hovey as the latest Life Member.

The surprise announcement was made at Saturday's Presidents function before the historic VFL & VFLW double header against Geelong. Hovey received the honour from Club President and recent Hall of Fame inductee Martin Carter, who worked closely with Ian during his time as Vice President.

Speaking on Hovey’s recognition, Carter said, “Ian’s life membership will go down as one of the most deserved club awards in Werribee’s 60-year history. Ian’s contribution from his playing days through to his positions on the Board, to his most recent voluntary roles of memorabilia manager, and club historian, are true testament to his patience, his attention to detail and his willingness to give back to our club. Without fear of contradiction, Ian is a man of humility and utmost integrity, respected by everyone at the club, a kind and supportive person, who continues to live and demonstrate our values of Community, Driven, and Care with aplomb.”

Hovey’s connection with Werribee started in the mid-1970s as a player in the 1976 season, becoming Werribee player #191.

Ian’s impact has extended far beyond his playing days, returning to the club in the 2010’s in an off-field capacity. Ian spent more than a decade on the Board of Directors from 2013 including eight years as Vice President. Ian also took on the responsibility for managing, collating and documenting the history of the club, a role he maintains today.

In overseeing the club’s historical records, Hovey led the project to assign a unique player number to everyone who has represented Werribee at senior level. With nearly 1000 players and limited documentation from the club’s early decades, it was an enormous undertaking. Ian and his team spent countless hours searching a variety of archives and historical records. The fruits of their hard work were released in 2023. Every senior Werribee player now has a unique player number and a lasting place in the club’s history.

Ian has also been heavily involved in the planning and presentations for the 60th anniversary Then and Now Event being held this weekend at Club Tarneit.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

North Melbourne Werribee has made two changes for its Round 8 match against Geelong.

The top-of-the-table Kangaroos travel down the highway on Saturday for their first home match at their second home of Avalon Airport Oval this season.

It is a historic day for the club with the first ever VFL and VFLW home double header at home featuring our new women’s side.

Midfielder Taylor Ortlepp rejoins the team after being away for a fortnight.

Jemmika Douglas also comes back in after being omitted for the Round 7 win over Port Melbourne.

Reese Sutton is unavailable this week, while livewire forward Kelsie Ternes is sidelined after receiving a concussion in the game against Port Melbourne.

The Kangaroos will be hunting a good result against the 12th-placed Cats, with only two points separating the top five on the VFLW ladder.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 8
North Melbourne Werribee vs Geelong
Saturday, June 14, 2:45 pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 8 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au