Werribee's season record is now balanced at five wins and five losses following a 41-point defeat to North Melbourne on Saturday.

Back at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for the first time since Round 7, Werribee was overrun in the second half, with the Roos booting seven goals to two to secure a 13.7 (85) to 6.8 (44) victory.

The match saw Werribee unveil their 2025 Indigenous guernsey designed by local Indigenous artist John Lambley and his family.

Werribee faced some late changes before the match, with Hudson Garoni (injury), Angus Hicks, and Jake Lohmann (illness) all withdrawn. Hayden Gill, for his club debut, along with Jedd Longmire and Mace Cousins, were called in as late inclusions, joining Foster Gardiner as the second debutant of the day and Ben Kellett, who had been selected earlier in the week.

On a tough afternoon, Bior Malual stood tall, earning the Totally Workwear Hoppers Crossing Player of the Match honours for a classy 18-disposal, seven-mark performance. Speaking on Malual’s impact, senior coach Jimmy Allan said, “Bior was one of our few winners on the day. He made good decisions with ball in hand and looked to take the game on, which gave us a chance to score.”

Just ten days after being drafted from Werribee, North Melbourne’s new recruit Zac Banch made a statement in his club debut with the first two goals of the game.

Jay Dahlhaus answered with a set shot after Longmire found him inside 50 for Werribee’s first of the day, but the Roos fired back late in the quarter to take a 20-point lead into the first break.

Werribee hit back to begin the second quarter, kicking three goals in the opening half of the quarter to cut the margin back to just one point.

Late inclusion Hayden Gill opened the scoring with his first goal for the club, before Anthony Depasquale followed up less than a minute later. Myles McCluggage added a third to bring Werribee right back into the contest.

North Melbourne steadied through Oliver Lowe, and soon after Zac Banch added his third of the day to restore a 14-point advantage at half time.

The third quarter was all North Melbourne, as they slammed on five unanswered goals while Werribee managed just three behinds, missing multiple opportunities and falling 43 points behind at the final change.

Werribee finally broke through ten minutes into the last quarter, with Louis Pinnuck opening his account for the season with a well-struck goal from outside 50.

Jay Dahlhaus added his second later in the term to finish as Werribee’s only multiple goal scorer, but it was North Melbourne who finished the stronger, running out 41-point winners.

Werribee now turns its attention to another home game, hosting Geelong this Saturday in what shapes as a big day at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, with VFLW action to follow as the North Melbourne Werribee Kangaroos also face the Cats.

ROUND 11 PHOTO GALLERY - Click here

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 1.0 4.1 4.4 6.8 (44)
North Melbourne: 4.2 6.3 11.5 13.7 (85)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: Bior Malual, Sam Conway, Jack Riding, Dominic Brew, Spencer Johnson, Ryan Eyers
North Melbourne: Will Phillips, Darcy Macpherson, Bailey Scott, Zac Banch, Wil Dawson, Callum Coleman-Jones

GOAL SCORERS:
Werribee: J. Dahlhaus (2), A. Depasquale, H. Gill, M. McCluggage, L. Pinnuck
North Melbourne: Z. Banch (3), B. George (2), N. Sulzberger (2), W. Dawson, Z. Duursma, T. Goad, O. Lowe, R. Stevens, L. Urquhart