Werribee secured its first win of 2025, defeating the Northern Bullants in the VFL Standalone Carnival at Ballarat.

In the club’s second practice match Werribee faced the Bullants at Mars Stadium. After a tightly contested first half, Werribee pulled away to claim a 33-point victory, 14.6 (90) to 8.9 (57).

Following last week's hitout against the Dolphins, where over 35 players rotated through, this match provided a better opportunity for a full four-quarter effort, with 26 players taking the field.

The Bullants started strongly, but Werribee quickly steadied. Zac Banch, in his first game of the pre-season, showed courage to earn a 50-metre penalty and converted for Werribee’s opening goal. Soon after, Harry Maguire continued his strong form, slotting another first-quarter set shot.

The second quarter was an arm wrestle with the Bullants holding a one-point lead at halftime in a low-scoring contest.

The usual suspects up forward hit the scoreboard in the second term, with Hudson Garoni marking inside 50 to convert a set shot, while Flynn Young finished off a passage of play he started on the wing late in the term.

The match also marked the return of Tylar Watts in Werribee colours. In his first game back after six years, Watts impressed while rotating in the ruck with Sam Conway.

Werribee lifted in the second half, with 20-year-old Darley recruit Brady Wright emerging as a standout. The young tall took several contested marks and finished with two goals by the final break.

At three-quarter time, Werribee had stretched its lead to two goals, with Young slotting his second major and Maguire adding another set shot.

A dominant five-goal final quarter sealed a comfortable 33-point win. Jack Riding, playing through the midfield on his local home ground at Mars Stadium, capped off a strong performance with two last-quarter goals, including a 45-metre strike after the siren.

The midfield continued to hit the scoreboard, with Jake Smith slotting a final-quarter goal and North Warrnambool recruit Jackson Grundy converting a set shot for his first in Werribee colours.

Harry Maguire continues to be a highlight for Werribee this pre-season, adding two more goals in the final term to finish with four for the day and six for the pre-season so far.

Werribee now looks ahead to its final two practice matches before the Grand Final rematch against Southport in Round 1. Next up is Williamstown in six days, followed by Footscray in the last pre-season hitout.

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 2.0 4.3 8.6 14.6 (90)
Northern Bullants: 3.3 4.4 6.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS:
Werribee: H. Maguire (4), J. Riding (2), B. Wright (2), F. Young (2), Z. Banch, H. Garoni, J. Grundy, J. Smith