Werribee’s second home game of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season will see the club take on western suburbs rivals Williamstown, with the John Pyne Memorial Trophy on the line.

The matchup also doubles as the league’s only ANZAC Day fixture, continuing a long-standing tradition between the two sides.

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:52pm to witness the on-field ANZAC Day ceremony.

BE THERE FOR ROUND 5 >>> Get your tickets now

The memorial trophy honours the late John Pyne — a Werribee Hall of Fame member who made a significant 14-year contribution to the club. Pyne began as a player in 1975/76, later coached from 1977 to 1980, and served as Secretary (1982–85) and Vice President (1986–89), remaining involved until his passing in 1989.

In recognition of his contribution, Werribee and Williamstown play for the John Pyne Memorial Trophy whenever the two sides meet during the season. Werribee currently leads the head-to-head tally 18–14.

John’s son, Adam Pyne, will represent the Pyne family and present the trophy to the winning captain following Friday’s match.

Another close contest looms, with the two sides sitting side-by-side on the ladder.

Both clubs played finals last season but have started 2025 with 1–3 records and will be eager to bounce back following tough Round 4 losses.

Werribee is coming off consecutive narrow losses, falling by two points to Sydney and four points to Footscray. Williamstown, meanwhile, suffered a 51-point loss to Coburg last week, following their opening win of the season in Round 3 over Frankston.

First bounce is at 1:05pm, with the game streamed live and free on afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for fans back home. Click here to watch live.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 5
Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday, April 25, 1:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval

Round 5 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.

As many leagues had a league-wide bye for the Easter weekend, Werribee had 11 players play at local level, with some big performances in some marquee matches across six leagues.

Read the third edition of our 2025 Local Player Report to see how those next in line are tracking.

Goulburn Valley Football League

Anthony Depasquale - Kyabram

Depasquale continued his strong form to start the season, again being named in the best as Kyabram enjoyed a comfortable 105-point win over Benalla. Playing a mix of forward and midfield, he was a standout with 36 disposals, including a number of clearances whilst in the midfield, and then kicked four goals when up forward. In an improvement to his five goals from 13 shots on goal last week, he went at 75% effiency with the football against Benalla.

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna

Gugliotti was solid in defence during Mooroopna’s 28-point loss to top-four side Shepparton Swans. The reliable defender competed strongly all day, found plenty of the ball, and took six marks in a consistent showing down back.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League

Archer Gardiner - North Albury

Archer Gardiner was named North Albury’s Player of the Day in their 15-point Good Friday win over Wodonga. He made the most of his speed in a standout performance, getting on the end of three goals from the midfield. Gardiner continually took the game on and finished with six clearances and five inside 50s in a strong all-round showing.

Foster Gardiner - North Albury

Archer’s twin, Foster was also named in the best in the strong North Albury win. As usual his pressure was a highlight, which showed through his six tackles. Foster was also dangerous up forward, hitting the scoreboard for a goal, in a historical game where all four Gradiner brother booted a goal for the Hoppers.

Ray Murphy - Corowa-Rutherglen

Ray Murphy produced his best performance since returning from a year-long injury, starring in Corowa’s ten-goal win over the Wodonga Raiders. Named best afield for the Roos, Murphy was a standout through the midfield, finishing with 22 disposals and nine clearances. His ability to work through traffic and use the ball well were highlights of his day, going at an efficient 86% with the ball.

Bellarine Football Netball League

Jack Henderson - Barwon Heads

Jack Henderson competed well in a tough, 73-point loss for Barwon Heads to the reigning premiers Torquay. After halftime the key forward moved into the midfield, where he made an impact, looked good in the traffic, and picked up 12 contested possessions, including several clearances.

Western Football Netball League

Tom Stapleton - Parkside

Despite Parkside falling to a second straight loss by under a goal, Tom Stapleton was named the Magpies’ best. The versatile big man had an impact across the ground, impressing in the ruck and hitting the scoreboard to boot three goals.

Ballarat Football Netball League

Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh

After an early injury cut his game short last week, Rye Penny returned to play a full match in Bacchus Marsh's 17-point loss to East Point. Rotating between forward and defence, Penny used the ball well, hit the scoreboard with a goal, and was strong in one-on-one contests down back. He competed well at both ends and finished with five marks for the day.

Geelong Football Netball League

Tylar Watts - Leopold

Watts made his debut for Leopold in a Grand Final rematch against St Joseph’s after crossing from Geelong West. Despite the Lions going down, the big man impressed in the ruck, getting on top in hitouts and centre bounces while also recording multiple clearances and inside 50s. He provided strong support around the ground, particularly following stoppages.

Liam Kershaw - St. Josephs

Kershaw played another solid game on the wing in St. Joseph’s win, impressing on both sides of the ball. He finished with seven marks, including a few timely intercepts, and made smart decisions with ball in hand, using it well by foot across his 13 kicks.

Cooper Ward - St. Josephs

Lining up against Watts’ Leopold Lions, Ward’s St. Joseph’s got the win by eight goals. Ward played a team focused role off the ball, had good pressure, with strong tackle numbers.

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 final interstate trip of the season ended in disappointing fashion with a four point loss to Sydney over the Easter weekend.

At Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday, Werribee were trailing by 38 points after a five-goal second quarter from Sydney, but came out firing in the second half to claw their way back, falling just two points short by the final siren.

A four-goal-to-one final quarter wasn’t quite enough, with Werribee going down 11.7 (73) to Sydney’s 11.9 (75).

Ryan Eyers claimed his second consecutive Totally Workwear Player of the Match, with his key lockdown role while notching career-highs in both marks and disposals. Senior coach Jimmy Allan said post match “Ryan played on a very good player and nullified his influence. He understands his role and is committed to doing what it takes to help the team. Some of his contest wins were huge.”

In warm conditions at Blacktown, Werribee started strongly, slotting four first-quarter goals to take a 15-point lead into the first break.

In his first game back since the Grand Final, Angus Hicks kicked the opening goal of the game. Harry Maguire, debuting in his home state, added Werribee’s next, taking full advantage of a 50-metre penalty to slot a set shot from the goal square. Hudson Garoni and Zac Banch also hitting the scoreboard to close out the first term.

The second quarter was costly, as the Swans piled on five unanswered goals and kept Werribee scoreless, flipping the margin to take a 20-point lead into half time.

Sydney continued their run early in the third, booting the first three goals to stretch the lead to a game-high 38 points. But two goals in as many minutes from star small forward Zac Banch late in the term sparked a shift in momentum, helping Werribee close the gap to 23 points at the final change.

Jack Riding marked his return from a shoulder injury with his first goal of the season to kick off the final term. Although Sydney responded through Jack Buller—his third of the day—Werribee dominated general play from there.

Hudson Garoni followed up his 150th career goal with two more in quick succession, and Riding added his second of the quarter to bring the margin under a goal.

Werribee then had their chances but could not kick that go-ahead goal, falling short by two points to start the season at 1-3.

ROUND 4 PHOTO GALLERY - CLICK HERE

FINAL SCORE:
Sydney: 1.5 6.8 10.9 11.9 (75)
Werribee: 4.0 4.0 7.4 11.7 (73)

GOAL SCORERS:
Sydney: J. Buller (3), M. Lloyd (3), P. Ladhams (2), B. Edwards, J. Kluske, L. McDonald
Werribee: Z. Banch (3), H. Garoni (3), J. Riding, J. Dahlhaus, A. Hicks, H. Maguire

BEST PLAYERS:
Sydney: B. Edwards, N. Shipley, P. Ladhams, G. Sheldrick, M. Lloyd, J. Buller
Werribee: R. Eyers, B. Malual, Z. Banch, H. Garoni

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 four key inclusions for Sydney in Round 4, two former teammates will run out together for their Werribee debuts.

Spencer Johnson and Harry Maguire will become Werribee players #974 and #975 when the side takes on Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

It will not be the first time Johnson and Maguire feature in the same VFL side, with the pair both lining up for Port Melbourne last season. They played six and eleven games respectively, sharing the field in Rounds 12 and 21. Saturday’s Round 4 clash will mark their third VFL game together, and their first in Werribee colours.

A debut in Sydney is a fitting milestone for Maguire, who came through the Swans Academy and played 10 state league games across the NEAFL and VFL before relocating to Victoria. He also split his time with Pennant Hills locally, where he shone in 2023, winning the AFL Sydney Premier Division League Best and Fairest and earning a spot in the Team of the Year.

The key forward, standing at over 190cm, joined Port Melbourne in 2024 after relocating to Victoria and aligned with local club Hoppers Crossing. He’s no stranger to Werribee’s home at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, having booted four goals to lead Hoppers Crossing to a thrilling one-point grand final win over Werribee Districts in the 2024 Western Football Netball League decider.

Johnson’s 24th VFL appearance will be his first in the Big W, returning to the club after a rookie-listed season with Werribee in 2022.

2023 saw Johnson make a move to the Northern Bullants, which was a breakout campaign, playing 17 games, averaging over 21 disposals and five marks per match. He finished third in the Bullants’ best and fairest and was a finalist for the league’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, finishing behind eventual winner, Werribee’s Sam Clohesy. 2024 saw Johnson change to Port Melbourne, playing six games.

Johnson is also a product of the Western Football Netball League, currently lining up for Altona, the club where he played all his junior football. He impressed last weekend with 23 disposals and seven marks in a two-point win over Parkside, and now earns his Werribee debut, replacing the injured Mace Cousins off half-back.

In other changes, premiership duo Angus Hicks and Jack Riding return to the side, with Noah Tullio, Jackson Grundy, Tylar Watts, and Mace Cousins making way.

First bounce is at 12:05pm, with the game streamed live and free on afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for fans back home. Click here to watch live.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 4
Werribee vs Sydney
Saturday, April 19, 12:05pm
Blacktown International Sportspark

Round 4 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.