The VFL side couldn’t make it back-to-back wins, going down to Richmond by 45 points, but it was a promising week on the local front, with several listed players putting together strong performances across their respective competitions as we edge closer to local footy finals.

Read how the 13 Werribee boys fared and see how their teams are tracking for finals in the 17th edition of the Weekly Player Report.

Geelong Football Netball League:

Tylar Watts - Leopold
Named in Leopold’s best, Watts produced one of his strongest performances of the season in their 39-point win over Geelong West. Rucking for around 70 percent of the game, he finished with 41 hitouts, and added 16 disposals and six tackles. His clean skills and ball use by foot were a highlight, and he was effective as an extra on-baller around the ground. The win moved Leopold into seventh, keeping their finals hopes alive.

Josh Sanders - Lara
Sanders was again a shining light in a tough day for Lara, collecting 37 disposals, including a massive 30 kicks and 12 rebound 50s, and made good decisions with the ball in hand to drive Lara out of the back line.

Ben Kellett - South Barwon
Kellett thrived in the wet, contested conditions against Bell Park, playing a major role in South Barwon’s 23-point win. He dominated the ruck battle, finishing with 39 hitouts to go with 12 contested possessions and eight clearances. His follow-up work and physicality at ground level stood out, helping the Swans rise to fifth on the ladder.

Hampden Football Netball League:

Jackson Grundy - North Warrnambool
Returning to local footy after a VFL appearance the previous week, Grundy was named in North Warrnambool’s best as they defeated Portland by ten goals to go 12 points clear on top of the ladder. He collected 25 disposals and kicked two goals, playing a key role linking up through the midfield and delivering inside 50 in another composed performance.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:

Archer Gardiner - North Albury
Named in North Albury’s best, Archer Gardiner impressed in his second game back from injury in a massive 109-point win over Wodonga Raiders. Gardiner gathered 26 disposals at 81% efficiency, with 10 contested possessions, six inside 50s and a goal. He was clean in the wet, moved well and continues to build confidence after a disrupted season. North Albury sit fourth on the ladder in a tight top four.

Jedd Longmire - Corowa Rutherglen
Longmire continued his strong run of form with another impactful outing, finishing with 24 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five clearances, five inside 50s and two goals in a 45-point loss to Myrtleford to remain ninth on the O&M ladder. He hit the scoreboard for the second week in a row from the midfield and was involved in a number of scoring chains.

Ray Murphy - Corowa Rutherglen
Murphy played a solid supporting role in the midfield, finishing with 16 disposals, nine contested possessions and three tackles. His effort and competitiveness around the footy were again a feature, being praised for his desire to take the game on.

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League:

Dom Gugliotti - Mooroopna
Gugliotti was named in Mooroopna’s best in a 63-point loss to Shepparton, one of few to handle the conditions well. He collected 23 disposals and was composed under pressure throughout the day. Mooroopna remain ninth on the ladder.

Northern Football Netball League:

Cam Wild - Hurstbridge
Wild was again busy in the midfield during Hurstbridge’s narrow two-point loss to Banyule, their second close defeat in recent weeks. He finished with 22 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six marks and five inside 50s, with a particularly strong first half. Despite another tight loss, Hurstbridge remain fifth with four matches to play.

Western Football Netball League:

Harry Maguire - Hoppers Crossing
Maguire played a key role up forward as Hoppers Crossing stunned Werribee Districts with their first loss of the season, running out 49-point winners. He kicked two goals and four behinds from 12 disposals and four marks, with his forward pressure being exceptional for a key forward. The result keeps Hoppers in second position and in good form going into finals as they look to go back-to-back.

Essendon District Football League:

Hayden Gill - Deer Park
Hayden Gill battled hard in tough conditions and was faced with the task of rucking against former AFL-listed big man Sam Hayes, as Deer Park went down to Strathmore by 76 points in a rough day. He had eight disposals and kicked a goal after moving forward late in the game. Deer Park remains cushioned in fourth position, with an eight-point buffer between both third and fifth.

Ballarat Football Netball League:

Rye Penny - Bacchus Marsh
Penny was again named in the best for Bacchus Marsh and continued his consistent form in defence. It wasn’t a big day statistically, but he was dependable down back and played his role with desperation and composure. He was clean in the wet and used the ball well from his eight touches, helping set up several rebound efforts. He’s now strung together a number of standout performances as Bacchus Marsh went down to East Point by 32 points but holds onto fifth position on the ladder.

Isaac Nixon - Bacchus Marsh
Nixon made the most of limited opportunities playing deep forward in a low-scoring contest. His attack on the contest stood out, and he applied strong forward pressure with five tackles. He finished with a smart goal in tricky conditions in the Cobras’ loss.