Written by Jordan Baxter

Forward Jay Dahlhaus is set to play his 50th game for Werribee when he returns to the side for Saturday’s Round 18 clash against Richmond at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, with the first bounce at 1:05pm.

In career-best form across the past two seasons, Dahlhaus’ 14th appearance of the year will see him notch up his 50th career game in what shapes as a crucial match, as Werribee looks to secure its seventh win of the season.

Dahlhaus joined the club in 2021 as an under-22 player and made his debut in Round 1 against Collingwood, recording 10 disposals, six kicks, and three inside-50 tackles. He was presented his guernsey by club life member and former coach Simon Atkins and debuted alongside fellow future 50-gamers Nathan Cooper, Nick Hayes, and close friend and now captain Jesse Clark.

After one more appearance in 2021, Dahlhaus earned promotion to the primary list for the 2022 season, claiming the final spot in Werribee’s 42-man squad.

Werribee Football Manager Mark Micallef credited Dahlhaus for the work he put in to earn his place.

“Jay had to work really hard to earn his spot on the list in terms of his conditioning and
getting his body ready for the rigours of VFL footy,” he said.

“We set some targets for him at the end of last year and he’s gone out and achieved
those with great enthusiasm.”
Dahlhaus enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, playing 14 games and averaging over a goal and 13 disposals per match.

He opened the 2023 season in the Round 1 side but was sidelined for the rest of the year due to injury. He returned in 2024 to play 19 games in a career-best season, finishing with 33 goals, almost doubling his previous best, and averaging 11 disposals, four marks, and three tackles a game.

Dahlhaus played a key role in the 2024 Grand Final victory over Southport, finishing with 13 disposals and kicking two crucial second-half goals in the six-point comeback win.

Reflecting on the win, Dahlhaus said:
“We rallied together at halftime and we really put the pressure on in that third quarter and used our speed and got out the back and we ended up getting on the end of a few goals.”

Dahlhaus was inducted into the club’s leadership group for the first time ahead of the 2025 season and has continued his brilliant form from 2024, having already notched up 17 goals across 13 games. Among them was a career-best five-goal haul in the club’s win over Frankston at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

Werribee will be looking to make it two wins in a row as they return home to face Richmond at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval this week. The 1:05pm game still has limited tickets remaining for the pre-game President’s Function, which can be purchased here.

MATCH DETAILS – ROUND 18
Werribee vs Richmond
Saturday, July 26, 1:05pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Pre-purchase your tickets to the game via this link.