Werribee is set to unveil its 14th debutant of the 2025 season, with Archer Gardiner to play his first VFL game this Sunday at ETU Stadium.

The 20-year-old is one of two inclusions for the midseason draft departures Flynn Young and Zac Banch, with Brady Wright also returning for his eighth game of the year.

Gardiner, in his first season at Werribee, arrived at the club alongside his twin brother Foster from North Albury, the home club of premiership players Dom Brew and Sam Azzi.

He earns his debut after an impressive start to the season, playing both as an inside midfielder and on the wing. He was a standout in last weekend’s Ovens and Murray interleague win over Goulburn Valley, collecting 27 disposals and finishing with the most clearances on the ground.

Gardiner joined Werribee ahead of 2025 with more than three years of senior football experience, having made his debut for the Hoppers in 2021 at just 16 years of age. Since then, he has played consistently at senior level and earned several individual honours.

In 2022, he was named Best First Year Player at North Albury, and he went on to win the club’s Best Under 21 Player award in both 2023 and 2024.

Speaking ahead of his debut, Werribee’s Football Manager Kyle Hartigan said “We’re really excited for Arch. He’s come down from North Albury, where we’ve had a lot of talent come through, like Dom and Sam.”

Hartigan added, “We’re really looking forward to what he will bring, with plenty of run and carry. He has been performing at a high level, and his outstanding performance in the interleague last week has led to this exciting opportunity.”

Sunday’s match kicks off at 2:05 pm at ETU Stadium, marking Werribee’s second consecutive game on the road following a dominant 51-point win over Sandringham in Round 8.

Werribee enters the Round 10 clash sitting ninth on the ladder and will be looking to improve on their even 4-4 record from the first half of the season.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 10
Werribee vs Port Melbourne
Sunday, June 1, 2:05 pm
ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne