With the VFL taking a break for the AAMI State Game as part of the AFL’s Gather Round, 22 Werribee players took to the field in local leagues across Melbourne and Geelong – and they didn’t disappoint.
Read the second edition of our 2025 Local Player Report to see how those next in line are tracking.
Western Football Netball League:
Harry Maguire - Hoppers Crossing
Maguire kicked off his Hoppers Crossing season in style, backing up last year’s Grand Final heroics with a five-goal haul against Caroline Springs in his first senior game of 2025. Named among the best, the key forward was involved in a number of score involvements and stood out with his strong front-on pressure.
Spencer Johnson - Altona
Johnson had a great game off half-back as Altona defeated Parkside in a two-point thriller. Named in the best in his second game back from injury, Johnson provided plenty of good ball use from the backline, took seven marks, including a number of intercept marks, and showed great leadership throughout the day.
Tom Stapleton - Parkside
Stapleton continued his strong start to the season, named in the best for a second straight week in Parkside’s narrow loss to Johnson’s Altona. The big man found plenty of the ball in the ruck and showcased his impressive endurance around the ground.
Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville Seddon
Wil Kliszewski rounded out a clean sweep of Werribee players named in the best in their WFNL matches, impressing in Yarraville’s loss to Werribee Districts. Splitting his time between forward and ruck, he booted two goals and stood out with his contested work around the ground when in the ruck.
Goulburn Valley Football League
Angus Hicks - Shepparton United
Angus Hicks made a strong return in his first game for Shepparton United in eight years, and his first since Werribee’s Grand Final. Playing a half as he returned from injury, Hicks found the ball with ease while rotating between forward and midfield. His ball use was exceptional, and he brought valuable leadership to a young United side. Despite leading at half-time, Shepparton went down to Mansfield by 17 points.
Anthony Depasquale - Kyabram
Depasquale’s forward craft was on full display as Kyabram had a dominant, 128 point win over Tatura. The forward, who booted over 75 goals in 2024, had 13 shots on goal for five majors, found plenty of the ball and presented well the whole day, finishing his afternoon with ten marks.
Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
Dom Gugliotti used the ball well and showed good defensive work for the John Lamont-coached Mooroopna. In a tight affair Mooroopna went down to Rochester by just seven points to start the season 0-2.
Ballarat Football Netball League
Jake Lohmann - Lake Wendouree
Jake Lohmann returned to Lake Wendouree for his first game for the Lakers since 2021. Splitting his time between midfield and forward, Lohmann found plenty of the footy, including gathering 20 contested possessions and nine clearances in a standout performance, despite a heavy loss to Melton. His leadership was a clear highlight in his local return.
Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh
Rye Penny started strongly for Bacchus Marsh, showing real intent and making an impact in the air against a much taller opponent. Unfortunately, his day was cut short due to injury after just four disposals. Bacchus Marsh went on to secure a 19-point win over Redan.
Geelong Football Netball League
Ben Kellett - South Barwon
Kellett was superb for South Barwon in their dominant win over Grovedale, delivering a well-rounded performance across all areas of his game. He was excellent in ruck contests, clearances and his follow up work to end with 21 disposals. The ruckmen also hit the scoreboard for a goal.
Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell
Byrne produced another reliable performance down back as Newtown & Chilwell bounced back from an opening-round loss with an 11-point win over Bell Park. The defender played a key role in the WIN, taking on a tough assignment against a VFL-listed forward
Ovens & Murray Football Netball League
Jedd Longmire - Corowa-Rutherglen
Jedd Longmire was among the best for Corowa-Rutherglen in their season opener, playing a strong game through the midfield despite a five-goal loss to Wangaratta. His work in close was a standout, consistently winning contested ball and showing fight to clear the ball by hand.
Raymond Murphy - Corowa-Rutherglen
It was a highlight as Ray Murphy returned for his first competitive game for four points since May last year. He got through the game as Corowa could not get the job done against Wangaratta.
Archer Gardiner - North Albury
North Albury kicked off their season with a loss to the Wangaratta Rovers, coming up against retiree Nathan Cooper, with the Rovers coming out on top by 26 points. Archer Gardiner competed hard all day, working through a tag to find 16 disposals, where he went at an efficient 75%.
Foster Gardiner - North Albury
Lining up alongside his twin brother, Foster Gardiner brought strong effort and fight to North Albury’s midfield. He laid nine tackles and won the majority of his possessions in contested situations
Victorian Amateur Football Association
Harrison Miller - Williamstown CYMS
Miller continued to hit the scoreboard and impress for the CYs, once again named among the best in Williamstown’s loss to Old Trinity. Trailing by over four goals at half-time, Miller sparked a second-half surge with three goals, proving a constant threat up forward. He also applied solid pressure throughout the day.
Sam Allen - Old Ivanhoe
Sam Allen played a key role in Old Ivanhoe’s continued unbeaten start to the 2025 season. The defender was swung forward and made an immediate impact, hitting the scoreboard early. When Old Carey pushed out to a five-goal lead in the third quarter, Allen responded with two crucial goals to help swing the momentum back Old Ivanhoe’s way, with the side eventually running out 27-point winners. Competing all day was also a highlight of his game, and he took several contested marks on the day.
Essendon District Football League
Hayden Gill - Deer Park
Hayden Gill made an impressive return in his first game of the season, playing a key role in Deer Park’s dominant 68-point win over Greenvale. He was praised for his unselfish play, worked hard defensively, and used the ball with 100% efficiency. Gill capped off a strong performance by finishing with four goals to his name.
Cam McLeod - Aberfeldie
McLeod played on the wing as Aberfleide won a thriller against Essendon Doutta Stars by seven points. The wingmen went at an efficient 78% with the ball and laid three tackles in the win.
Hampden Football Netball League
Jackson Grundy - North Warrnambool
Jackson Grundy returned to North Warrnambool for the Hampden FL Grand Final rematch, in his first game for the Eagles since their Grand Final victory after making his VFL debut. Grundy starred in the midfield, and made an impact on the scoreboard with two goals in the thrilling win. His leadership and bodywork at stoppages was a real feature and marked the ball extremely well ahead of the footy.
Bellarine Football Netball League
Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads
Jack Henderson continued his goal-kicking form in Barwon Heads’ thrilling six-point win. Following a four-goal haul last week, he added another two majors on Saturday and played a key role in the tight contest. He also took nine marks for the day, including several strong contested grabs, proving a reliable target up forward.
Luke Preece - Drysdale
Luke Preece had another strong game to continue his form to start the 2025 season for Drysdale. He was very strong defensively, with his one on one defending and was strong in the air. In the second half as Drysdale kicked away to a 75 point win over Modewarre he provided strong offensive in the second half, and gave some real drive for the Hawks.
