While it was a disappointing result at VFL level, with the side going down to North Melbourne by 41 points to sit at five wins and five losses, it was a strong weekend at local level. Several players impressed, including multiple returnees from injury.

Read how ten Werribee players performed across five local leagues in the tenth edition of the 2025 Weekly Player Report.

Geelong Netball Football League:

Daly Andrews - Lara
Daly Andrews backed up his return from injury with another strong performance in a tough outing for Lara. In just his second game back after 300 days on the sidelines, Andrews provided important drive through the midfield for the inexperienced Lara side, and worked hard all day from contest to contest. He finished with 35 disposals, ten clearances, and a goal to be named among the best.

Josh Sanders - Lara
Josh Sanders returned for his first game since the pre-season and made an immediate impact alongside Andrews in the midfield. The first-year player competed hard throughout the day, with his leg speed a standout feature. He finished with 28 disposals and 12 contested possessions in a strong first game back from injury.

Tylar Watts - Leopold
Tylar Watts played a mix of forward and ruck in Leopold’s dominant win over Lara. After a quiet first half up forward, he moved into the ruck after the main break and had a strong influence around the contest, to finish with 15 disposals, four clearances, and 19 hitouts in a solid all-round display.

Liam Kershaw - St. Joseph’s
Liam Kershaw battled hard in challenging conditions for outside players during St Joseph’s tight, low-scoring loss to Newtown. He worked into good positions around stoppage and showed strong intent to create space and link up play, finishing with 10 disposals and used the ball well on the wing.

Bellarine Football Netball League:

Luke Preece - Drysdale
Luke Preece delivered his best performance of the season in Drysdale’s 25-point win over Modewarre, being named best on field for the Hawks. He shut down one of the competition’s top forwards and came out on top with eight intercept marks, while also performing strongly at ground level. Preece also used the ball well by foot with his 21 kicks from 27 disposals.

Cooper Ward - Barwon Heads
Cooper Ward was lively in Barwon Heads’ high-scoring loss to Queenscliff. Although he didn’t accumulate large numbers, his pressure and competitiveness stood out, winning or neutralising all of his one-on-one contests, and ended with a goal and four inside 50s in the loss.

Oven’s & Murray Football League:

Archer Gardiner - North Albury
Archer Gardiner starred in his return to North Albury, being named in the best in the Hoppers’ 44-point win over Corowa-Rutherglen. Playing a mix of wing, midfield, and some time across half-forward, Gardiner won plenty of his own footy and finished with 29 disposals. He was dangerous in the front half with eight inside 50s and a goal, and as the Gardiners tend to do, applied strong pressure throughout the day in the win.

Ray Murphy - Corowa Rutherglen
Ray Murphy continues to build each week, delivering another strong performance in the midfield despite Corowa-Rutherglen’s loss. His work at the contest and around stoppages was a highlight, finishing with 12 contested possessions and six clearances from his 21 disposals.

Goulburn Valley Football League:

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
Dom Gugliotti was impressive down back for Mooroopna despite their seven-goal loss to Echuca, contributing strongly both defensively and offensively. He limited his opponent’s impact, while also providing effective rebound from the back half, as he finished with 18 disposals at 78% efficiency and took five marks in the loss.

Murray Football League:

Fergus Pinnuck - Cobram
Ferg Pinnuck was named best on field as Cobram enjoyed a ten-goal win over bottom side, Barooga. His explosiveness was a highlight, and Ferg was praised for his work rate and ability to cover the ground. He constantly provided an option in transition and was involved in numerous scoring chains, although missing a couple of chances in front of goal that would have capped off a strong performance.

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.

As Werribee’s 60th Year Celebration fast approaches, the club is proud to announce the final two of seven Hall of Fame inductees to be honoured on the day.

Long-time club servant Martin Carter and beloved figure Ted Goodall will join the Werribee Football Club Hall of Fame.

The event will be held at Club Tarneit this Sunday (June 15) with tickets available here.

Edward ‘Ted’ Goodall’s contribution to the Werribee Football Club extends beyond his 25 years of service in a variety of roles, adding to more than 40 years of supporting the club.

Goodall first arrived at Chirnside Park in the mid-1980s, serving as a club trainer for over a decade until 1995. While in the role, he also drove the team bus full of staff and officials to and from games for five seasons from 1990 to 1994, before backing up to help the reserves on Sundays.

After his time as trainer, Goodall spent more than ten years as the club’s property steward, a role he held until 2009, taking Ashley Moloney under his wing.

He took on his fourth different position at the club in 2010, serving as interchange steward for one season before stepping away to care for his ill wife.

Even after his time working in official roles, Goodall has remained a familiar face around Avalon Airport Oval, continuing to attend every home game and support the club he has been part of for more than four decades.

Hall of Fame member Simon Atkins, who served as both a player and coach during Goodall's time at Werribee, fondly remembers Ted’s contribution to the club.

“Ted was a frugal, yet grumpy property steward,” Atkins recalls. “I never saw a single player pull the wool over his eyes. He wouldn't budge on giving a player a pair of socks, shorts, or even a towel until they were almost at breaking point. He would then hand over the item and say, 'This is the first and last you'll get.'”

Atkins continued:

“He had Werribee in his heart through and through. Every now and then, he would let his guard down and give you a quick smile and a laugh. He was a fantastic Werribee person, and he thoroughly deserved our respect.”

The seventh inductee of the year, Martin Carter, has played a major role in guiding the Werribee Football Club through some of its most significant times.

Carter began his journey with Werribee joining the club’s committee in 1992 and was part of the board during the club’s historic first VFA/VFL premiership in 1993.

He remained involved on the board across multiple periods, including serving as vice president in 2008 and 2009.

In 2015, following the sudden passing of club president John Nicol, Carter stepped in as acting president. After the AGM in 2016, he was officially appointed president, a role he continues to hold, overseeing a period of stability and growth, including the club’s transition from an AFL-aligned model with North Melbourne to a fully standalone VFL team from 2018 onwards.

In 2024, Carter became the second premiership-winning president in the club’s history. He proudly unfurled the flag alongside Mark Penaluna at Werribee’s first home match of the season.

Club legend David Lyons, who served alongside Martin on the board, spoke about the substantial impact he has had on the Werribee Football Club over more than four decades:

“When I introduced Martin to the Werribee Football Club back in the mid-80s, he became a passionate supporter, along with his best mate, Gary Lloyd. Little did we know then just how big an impact he would have on the footy club over the next 40-plus years.”

Lyons continued, “Martin has been a supporter, board member, sponsor and president. Thanks, Martin.”

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.

Werribee's season record is now balanced at five wins and five losses following a 41-point defeat to North Melbourne on Saturday.

Back at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for the first time since Round 7, Werribee was overrun in the second half, with the Roos booting seven goals to two to secure a 13.7 (85) to 6.8 (44) victory.

The match saw Werribee unveil their 2025 Indigenous guernsey designed by local Indigenous artist John Lambley and his family.

Werribee faced some late changes before the match, with Hudson Garoni (injury), Angus Hicks, and Jake Lohmann (illness) all withdrawn. Hayden Gill, for his club debut, along with Jedd Longmire and Mace Cousins, were called in as late inclusions, joining Foster Gardiner as the second debutant of the day and Ben Kellett, who had been selected earlier in the week.

On a tough afternoon, Bior Malual stood tall, earning the Totally Workwear Hoppers Crossing Player of the Match honours for a classy 18-disposal, seven-mark performance. Speaking on Malual’s impact, senior coach Jimmy Allan said, “Bior was one of our few winners on the day. He made good decisions with ball in hand and looked to take the game on, which gave us a chance to score.”

Just ten days after being drafted from Werribee, North Melbourne’s new recruit Zac Banch made a statement in his club debut with the first two goals of the game.

Jay Dahlhaus answered with a set shot after Longmire found him inside 50 for Werribee’s first of the day, but the Roos fired back late in the quarter to take a 20-point lead into the first break.

Werribee hit back to begin the second quarter, kicking three goals in the opening half of the quarter to cut the margin back to just one point.

Late inclusion Hayden Gill opened the scoring with his first goal for the club, before Anthony Depasquale followed up less than a minute later. Myles McCluggage added a third to bring Werribee right back into the contest.

North Melbourne steadied through Oliver Lowe, and soon after Zac Banch added his third of the day to restore a 14-point advantage at half time.

The third quarter was all North Melbourne, as they slammed on five unanswered goals while Werribee managed just three behinds, missing multiple opportunities and falling 43 points behind at the final change.

Werribee finally broke through ten minutes into the last quarter, with Louis Pinnuck opening his account for the season with a well-struck goal from outside 50.

Jay Dahlhaus added his second later in the term to finish as Werribee’s only multiple goal scorer, but it was North Melbourne who finished the stronger, running out 41-point winners.

Werribee now turns its attention to another home game, hosting Geelong this Saturday in what shapes as a big day at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, with VFLW action to follow as the North Melbourne Werribee Kangaroos also face the Cats.

ROUND 11 PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 1.0 4.1 4.4 6.8 (44)
North Melbourne: 4.2 6.3 11.5 13.7 (85)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: Bior Malual, Sam Conway, Jack Riding, Dominic Brew, Spencer Johnson, Ryan Eyers
North Melbourne: Will Phillips, Darcy Macpherson, Bailey Scott, Zac Banch, Wil Dawson, Callum Coleman-Jones

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: J. Dahlhaus (2), A. Depasquale, H. Gill, M. McCluggage, L. Pinnuck
North Melbourne: Z. Banch (3), B. George (2), N. Sulzberger (2), W. Dawson, Z. Duursma, T. Goad, O. Lowe, R. Stevens, L. Urquhart

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.

With less than one week to go until Werribee’s 60th Year Celebration, the club is proud to announce the fourth and fifth of seven inductees into its Hall of Fame, who will be honoured on the day.

Two longstanding volunteers and life members, George Riddiford and Jimmy Masterson, will be formally recognised for their decades of service to the club.

The event will be held at Club Tarneit on June 15, with tickets available here.

The pair have been familiar faces at the club for the past 21 years. Both have been heavily involved since 2004 and continue their service to this day.

CEO Mark Penaluna, who also joined the club in 2004, spoke glowingly of their contributions; ‘Both George and Jimmy have been absolutely wonderful servants of the Werribee Football Club. Each has played, coached and volunteered at local football before joining WFC, and yet their enthusiasm for serving the community has been unwavering.”

Penaluna added, “In my opinion, individuals who are recognised for Life Membership, let alone the Hall of Fame, do not wait to ‘be asked’ to help, they just do it. Jimmy and George absolutely epitomize this ethos. Congratulations and thank you, George and Jimmy.”

Jimmy Masterson first joined Werribee in 2004 and began by taking charge of the barbecue at the club. Over time, he stepped up his involvement, most notably through his long-standing role as property manager, a position he still holds today and is widely recognised for.

He’s become a key part of Werribee’s matchday, travelling, and training operations, and his commitment has seen him awarded the Ray Smith Award for Best Club Person on three occasions — in 2008, 2019, and again in 2025 — making him the only three-time recipient of the award.

The best club person award was named after the late-great, Werribee legend Ray Smith, who served in multiple roles, including as the club’s inaugural secretary from 1965-1975.

Masterson was awarded life membership in 2017, and now, after another seven seasons of service to the club, he has been elevated to the Hall of Fame.

George Riddiford’s involvement with the club spans across two separate stints.

His first came in the mid-1970s when he joined in 1976 as Open Age Reserves Captain-Coach, before moving into administration. By 1982, he had served as Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Match Committee.

After a period away, Riddiford returned in 2004 and has been involved ever since, primarily in his role as Maintenance Manager. Now 83, George still helps out multiple mornings a week and on game day, taking on tasks such as umpire escort.

His efforts have been recognised with the Ray Smith Award in 2006 and 2022, and he was made a life member in 2015.

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.