A seven-goal final quarter wasn’t enough to get Werribee over the line against Box Hill on the weekend, but there were plenty of positives at local level, with 18 players representing the club across eight different leagues.
Catch up on how the Werribee boys fared in the sixth edition of the 2025 Weekly Local Player Report.
Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:
Archer Gardiner - North Albury
Archer Gardiner impressed yet again for North Albury in their 73-point win over the Wodonga Raiders. Playing predominantly on the wing with stints through the midfield, Gardiner was named among the best afield after collecting a season-high 35 disposals and using the ball with great efficiency. His pressure around the contest was a standout, and he also hit the scoreboard with two goals in a big day.
Foster Gardiner - North Albury
Foster Gardiner was again influential in North Albury’s big win over the Raiders, named among the best in a selfless performance up forward. His pressure was a standout, as it has been in recent weeks, laying seven tackles, and Foster finished off the game gathering close to 20 disposals. The Gardiner twins continue to stack up strong performances for the Hoppers.
Jedd Longmire - Corowa-Rutherglen
Jedd Longmire produced one of his strongest performances of the season in Corowa-Rutherglen’s clash with Myrtleford. The hard-nosed midfielder was a force at the contest, finishing with nine clearances and 13 contested possessions, while also working hard to have an impact on the outside in a well-rounded display.
Ray Murphy - Corowa-Rutherglen
Ray Murphy continues to build form in the midfield for Corowa-Rutherglen, with his work around the contest once again a highlight. He added six clearances and 17 disposals in another solid performance alongside Longmire, despite the side’s tough day against Myrtleford.
Ballarat Football Netball League:
Joel Cadman - Darley
It was a feel-good story for Joel Cadman over the weekend, making a successful return from injury after 232 days on the sidelines. Easing back into the contest with a mix of forward and wing time, Cadman finished with 23 disposals and five inside 50s in a solid performance during Darley’s 50-point win over Ballarat.
Isaac Nixon - Bacchus Marsh
Isaac Nixon also made a successful return from injury, playing his first game of the 2025 season for Bacchus Marsh, and first since Werribee’s pre-season matches, as the Cobras claimed a 15-point win over North Ballarat. Nixon kicked a goal, showed his class with ball in hand, and worked hard to collect seven marks around the ground, helping his side move up to 3-2 for the year.
Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh
Rye Penny played a key role alongside Nixon in Bacchus Marsh’s win on Saturday, standing out with a well-rounded performance in defence. He provided strong rebound from the back half, using the ball at an elite 87% efficiency, and was rarely beaten in a contest. Penny also took three intercept marks to cap off an impressive all round match down back.
Essendon District Football League:
Hayden Gill - Deer Park
Hayden Gill earned Werribee’s Local Player of the Week after an impressive performance, albeit in Deer Park’s 86-point loss to Strathmore. Splitting his time between ruck and forward, Gill battled hard against a former AFL ruckman, presented well in attack, and worked hard defensively. He finished with 18 disposals and six marks in a strong individual showing.
Reuben Rode - Greenvale
Reuben Rode battled through heavy attention in Greenvale's 48-point loss to Essendon Doutta Stars, following two strong performances since his return from injury. Despite the pressure, Rode still managed to collect 20 disposals and lay five tackles, demonstrating impressive fight throughout the game.
Goulburn Valley Football League:
Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
Dom Gugliotti played a mix of his usual role across half-back and time on the wing in Mooroopna’s first win of the 2025 season, an 18-point victory over Shepparton United. In an improved performance both individually and as a team, Gugliotti was clean with ball in hand, finishing with 15 efficient disposals and four tackles in a solid all-round showing.
Geelong Football Netball League:
Tylar Watts - Leopold
Tylar Watts was a key contributor in Leopold’s 19-point loss to Newtown & Chilwell. Splitting his time between ruck and forward, Watts performed well in both roles, getting on top in the hitouts and consistently providing a strong aerial presence. With the Lions trailing by 30 points at the final break, Watts lifted in the last quarter, dominating at stoppages and giving his side direct momentum. While the late surge wasn’t enough to close the gap, his 35 hitouts and five inside 50s showed a strong individual performance.
Charlie Byrne - Newtown & Chilwell
Charlie Byrne delivered his best performance of the season in Newtown & Chilwell’s upset win over Leopold. The experienced defender was solid down back, taking several intercept marks among his six grabs and using the ball efficiently with 22 disposals. He was deservedly named among the Eagles’ best in the 19-point victory.
Liam Kershaw - St. Joseph’s
Liam Kershaw contributed solidly in St. Joseph’s near 100-point win over St. Albans, helping them maintain their position at the top of the ladder. After several strong performances, Kershaw was effective on the wing until a knee scare in the third quarter ended his day early. Despite the setback, he finished with 11 disposals and four tackles.
Cooper Ward - St. Joseph’s
Cooper Ward was named in the best following St. Joseph’s dominant 100-point win over St. Albans. He played predominantly in the midfield, working hard to accumulate plenty of the ball and also making an impact on the scoreboard with three goals.
Western Football Netball League:
Wil Kliszewski - Yarraville Seddon Eagles
Wil Kliszewski continued his standout start to the season in Yarraville Seddon’s dominant 113-point victory, helping the Eagles rise to second on the WFNL ladder. The key forward was once again among the goal scorers, adding two more goals to his tally and moving into the top ten on the league's goal-kicking leaderboard. His work rate and physicality were also both impressive, as he finished with six contested marks out of a total of ten, delivering another strong performance for the Eagles.
Tom Stapleton - Parkside
Tom Stapleton was everywhere on the weekend, earning a spot in the best as Parkside cruised to a ten-goal win over Point Cook Centrals. The ruckman impressed both in the air and at ground level, finishing with 16 contested possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles in a well-rounded performance that stuffed the stat sheet.
Victorian Amateur Football Association:
Harry Miller - Williamstown CYMS
Harry Miller played a key role in Williamstown CYMS’ thrilling four-point win over the previously 3–1 Old Geelong. The small forward worked tirelessly throughout the day, using his strong work rate to gather 16 disposals around the ground. His pressure was a standout, regularly forcing turnovers and disrupting the opposition’s rebound. Miller also hit the scoreboard once again, taking his season tally to eight goals from five games in what’s been a strong start to 2025.
Bellarine Football Netball League:
Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads
The young key forward continued to hit the scoreboard as Barwon Heads recorded a dominant win over Ocean Grove in the Battle of the Bridge. Henderson looked threatening all day, and if not for a few missed opportunities, he could have had a bigger day on the scoresheet. He also showcased his versatility with a stint in the midfield during the second half, where he was strong around the contest and finished with 16 disposals in an impressive all round performance.
