Seven rounds into the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season, Werribee is pleased to announce the signing of Emerson Jeka, who joins the club after five seasons at AFL level.

Jeka spent time with both Hawthorn and Geelong during his AFL career.

Hawthorn drafted the 198cm key position player with the club’s first pick in the 2019 Rookie Draft. Once considered a potential first-round selection, a knee injury in his draft year saw him slide to the rookie draft.

After spending his first season developing through scratch matches during the COVID-impacted 2020 campaign, Jeka earned his AFL debut in Round 7 in the 2021 season. He played four AFL games in 2021, including a two-goal performance against Fremantle in just his third appearance. He also impressed at VFL level, kicking 23 goals across the season.

Although used primarily as a forward in the VFL, Jeka was swung into defence in 2022, where he featured in three AFL games.

In 2024, Jeka joined Geelong and played 19 games for their VFL side, bringing his total VFL experience to 52 games. He averaged 18 disposals and six marks per game across the season.

A Werribee local, Jeka played all his junior football for the Altona Vikings and was drafted from the Western Jets. He returned to Altona (WFNL) at the conclusion of his AFL stint.

Football Manager Kyle Hartigan said, “It’s great to have such a quality local Wyndham person and player join our football club. We are really excited to see what he can bring.” Emerson is super talented, and he will be a great addition to our group. Having played at the highest level, he can add value in so many ways.”

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.

A seven-goal final quarter wasn’t enough for Werribee, who fell to Box Hill by 16 points.

Werribee went down to the Hawks who reclaimed the Beyond Blue Cup in the annual match to raise awareness around anxiety and depression in the community.

On the field, Box Hill proved too strong, running out 14.9 (93) to 11.11 (77) winners.

Box Hill started brightly, kicking the first two goals of the match before Jack Riding capitalised on a 50-metre penalty to kick Werribee’s opener. Werribee’s inaccuracy hurt them early, finishing the first term with 1.5 and trailing by three points at quarter-time.

The visitors took control in the second quarter, booting four unanswered goals before Anthony Depasquale intercepted a switch kick and slotted his first VFL goal in his third game. Box Hill held a 23-point lead at the main break.

Flynn Young gave Werribee a spark early in the third, converting a long-range set shot after catching a defender holding the ball. Harry Maguire followed up just 90 seconds later with another set shot goal, trimming the margin to under two goals.

However, a six-goal run either side of three-quarter time saw Box Hill surge to a 42-point lead. Werribee responded with their best football of the day, piling on seven goals in a 20-minute burst during the final term, but the damage had been done.

Hudson Garoni added a late goal in the 24th minute to continue his streak of 30 consecutive games with a goal, while defender Spencer Johnson kicked his first career major in his 27th VFL appearance, courtesy of a 50-metre penalty.

Flynn Young’s strong day at half-forward, which included nine score involvements and eight inside 50s, earned him Werribee’s Totally Workwear Player of the Match. Bior Malual continued his excellent 2025 form, finishing with 17 disposals, eight marks and a last-quarter goal.

Down back, Jesse Clark and Ryan Eyers stood up defensively, while Dom Brew (35 disposals, nine tackles) and Angus Hicks (23 disposals, eight tackles) battled hard in the contest.

After kicking his first VFL goal in the second quarter, Anthony Depasquale proved Werribee’s most dangerous forward on the scoresheet, finishing with a team-high three goals. Key forward Harry Maguire was the only other multiple goalkicker, contributing two of his own.

PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 1.5 2.6 4.7 11.11 (77)
Box Hill: 2.2 6.5 10.9 14.9 (93)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: Flynn Young, Bior Malual, Angus Hicks, Jesse Clark
Box Hill: Max Ramsden, Seamus Mitchell, Bodie Ryan, Jai Serong, Kye Declase, Matthew Hill

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: A. Depasquale (3), H. Maguire (2), J. Dahlhaus, H. Garoni, S, Johnson, B. Malual, J. Riding, F. Young
Box Hill: M. Hill (3), J. Scaife (3), J. Arundell, C. Dear, K. Declase, M. Donohue, W. McCabe, M. Ramsden, J. Serong, B. Simondson

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.

Written by Jordan Baxter

This week, Werribee faces the Box Hill Hawks in the 15th annual Beyond Blue Cup, with the current tally standing at nine wins to Werribee and five to Box Hill.

The match serves as a platform to foster conversations about addressing anxiety and depression within the community.

Highlighting the significance of the Beyond Blue Cup, Werribee’s Jake Lohmann, who also works as a mental health facilitator, said in a video posted on Werribee’s socials promoting the game, “A problem shared is a problem halved, and playing for the Beyond Blue round is really important.”

Werribee have started the season 3-3, coming off strong back-to-back wins over Williamstown and Frankston that have lifted the Tigers into the top eight for the first time this year.

Comparatively, Box Hill have also had a strong start to 2025, sitting third on the ladder with four wins from their opening five matches.

The first bounce is at 12:05pm, with the game also streamed live and free on the AFL app and AFL.com.au. Click here to watch the game live. Click here to pre-purchase your tickets to the game.

MATCH DEATAILS - ROUND 7
Werribee vs Box Hill Hawks
Saturday, May 10, 12:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 7 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

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.

On Saturday, Werribee broke into the top eight with their first consecutive win of 2025, defeating Frankston by 39 points, while 17 of the club’s own were putting together impressive performances at local level.

Catch up on how those 17 Werribee boys fared across eight leagues in the fifth edition of the 2025 Weekly Local Player Report.

Geelong Football Netball League

Tylar Watts - Leopold

Tylar Watts was once again named among Leopold’s best as the Lions cruised to a 183-point win over North Shore. He dominated in the ruck early before an injury scare saw him split his time roughly fifty-fifty between ruck and forward. Up forward, Watts continued to impress, taking several strong pack marks and finishing with four goals.

Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell

Charlie Byrne delivered another strong performance for Newtown, helping them secure their second win of the season with a commanding ten-goal victory over the Geelong West Giants. Byrne was composed off half-back, using the ball well with his 21 disposals and making a big impact in the air with seven marks. His energy and leadership was also a standout in the team’s win.

Liam Kershaw - St. Joseph’s

Liam Kershaw delivered another impressive performance as St. Joseph’s extended their undefeated start to the season. The youngster impressed on the wing before showcasing his versatility by shifting to half-back in the second half, where he continued to provide plenty of drive. Kershaw used the ball efficiently, going at 88% disposal efficiency, and finished with eight marks in a strong all-round display.

Ben Kellett - South Barwon

The young ruckman, Kellett was impressive early, standing out both at the contest, with 11 contested possessions and five clearances, and through his strong follow-up work. Unfortunately, an injury scare cut his game short, and South Barwon ultimately fell to Colac by ten points, marking the reigning Grand Finalists’ second loss of the season.

Cooper Ward - St. Joseph’s

Ward showed promising signs in a ten-goal win over Bell Park. The 18-year-old forward worked hard to hunt the ball higher up the ground and capped off his efforts by showing his class with a goal in the final term.

Murray Football League

Fergus Pinnuck - Cobram

Ferg Pinnuck made an impressive return from injury in his first game of the season, helping Cobram extend their unbeaten start to 5-0 in the Murray Football League. Starting on the wing in the first half before rotating through the midfield and forward line in the second, Pinnuck found plenty of the ball and used it efficiently. He also hit the scoreboard, finishing with two goals, including a standout long-range bomb from 60 metres.

Western Football Netball League

Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville-Seddon

Wil Kliszewski continues to impress at local level since joining Werribee as a train-on player for 2025. The young key forward was named best on ground for Yarraville in their 41-point win over Spotswood, delivering a well-rounded performance. He took six contested marks, worked hard up and down the ground to finish with 12 marks overall, and capped off his efforts by slotting five goals, making it ten goals across the past two weeks.

Bellarine Football Netball League

Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads

Jack Henderson is another young key forward making his mark in his first season at Werribee, delivering his best game of the year in Barwon Heads’ heartbreaking one-point loss to Anglesea. Named among the Seagulls’ best players, Henderson kicked six goals for the day, including a five-goal second quarter that helped drag his side back from a 20-point deficit at quarter time. His strong marking was a highlight, taking multiple big pack grabs and presenting well on the lead throughout the game.

Luke Preece - Drysdale

While Drysdale endured a tough weekend, falling to Tom Gribble’s Geelong Amateurs by 77 points, Luke Preece continues to string together strong performances in the Bellarine league. Preece was named among the best, doing an impressive job containing ex-AFL forward Sam Lloyd and holding his own throughout the contest, as he continues to impress with his defensive work for Drysdale.

Victorian Amateur Football Association

Harry Miller - Williamstown CYMS

Williamstown CYMS fell to top-of-the-ladder Old Ivanhoe but mounted a stirring comeback, kicking the last seven goals of the game to close the gap to just 14 points. Harry Miller hit the scoreboard with two majors, working through close attention from the opposition, and impressed in a new role by collecting 16 disposals for the day.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League

Ray Murphy - Corowa-Rutherglen

Ray Murphy played another good game in the midfield as Corowa went down to Albury by just two points on Saturday. He continues to impress with his contest and stoppage work, evident through his 12 contested possessions and eight tackles, and used the footy extremely well, going at 88% efficiency.

Jedd Longmire - Corowa-Rutherglen

Jedd Longmire played alongside Ray Murphy in Corowa Rutherglen’s heartbreaking two-point loss to Albury, with his work at the contest continuing to stand out as a clear strength. The midfielder put together a solid performance, finishing with 18 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s, and four clearances, showcasing his ability to win the ball in tight and drive it forward.

Archer Gardiner - North Albury

Archer Gardiner showed glimpses of great moments in North Albury’s less than a goal win over Lavington. Lining up primarily on the wing, Gardiner worked hard to find 16 uncontested possessions in what was a tightly congested match, capping off a solid outing for the young midfielder.

Foster Gardiner - North Albury

The other Gardiner twin, Foster, also played his part in North Albury’s narrow win over Lavington. While it was a quieter game up forward for him with 10 disposals, Foster’s pressure and selfless efforts stood out across the day. Laying five tackles and competing hard at the contest.

Essendon District Football League

Reuben Rode - Greenvale

Reuben Rode was named among the best for the second week running in just his second game back from injury, as Greenvale fell to Matt Hanson’s Airport West by 38 points. Playing on-ball, Rode found plenty of the footy and impressed around stoppages, finishing with seven clearances. His pace and sidestep were clear standouts on the day, and he capped off his strong performance by hitting the scoreboard with a goal.

Hayden Gill - Deer Park

Deer Park evened their season record at two wins and two losses with a 27-point victory over Essendon Doutta Stars. While he didn’t hit the scoreboard, Hayden Gill impressed with his work around the ground. The key forward gathered 16 disposals and pulled in seven marks, including several strong contested grabs, around the ground.

Goulburn Valley Football League

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna

Dom Gugliotti put in a solid performance for Mooroopna, as John Lamont’s young side went down to Euroa to start their season with a 0-5 record. The defender impressed with several strong moments and was solid down back, using his 13 disposals efficiently and taking several key intercept marks.

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.