Werribee Starts 2026 in Style
23 March 2026
Werribee kicked off its 2026 Smithy’s VFL campaign in style yesterday, securing an impressive interstate win on the Gold Coast.
A victory in the season opener marked the perfect start to Dan Lowther’s coaching tenure, with Werribee producing 28 scoring shots to Gold Coast’s 18 to run out 15-point winners, 9.19 (73) to 8.10 (58).
With ten debutants named and facing a Suns side stacked with AFL-listed talent and high-end draft picks, Werribee embraced the challenge at People First Stadium, leading at every change in warm 27-degree conditions.
A blend of new recruits and familiar faces drove the result. Will Elliott, who joined from the Northern Bullants in the off-season, finished with three goals from five marks inside 50, while AFL-experienced Charlie Lazzaro was a class above, collecting a team-high 28 disposals and five tackles to earn the Totally Workwear Hoppers Crossing Player of the Round.
Dom Brew (24 disposals, nine clearances) and Ryan Eyers picked up where they left off from their standout 2025 campaigns, with Eyers producing a terrific defensive performance to keep number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan goalless.
Mace Cousins also continued his strong form, gathering 24 disposals and nine marks in an influential display across half-back, backing up a finish to 2025 that saw him recognised as Werribee’s Best Defensive Player.
It took ten minutes for the first goal of the game to arrive, with the Suns striking first, but Werribee responded through Noah Tullio. One day shy of his 20th birthday and 351 days since his last game, Tullio applied strong pressure before finishing off the work alongside Tom Simpson to toe-poke through Werribee’s first goal of the season.
Despite generating opportunities, Werribee couldn’t fully capitalise early, and Gold Coast responded through Jed Walter. Elliott then stayed at ground level from an Ajang Kuol Mun contest, gathering cleanly before booting through his first goal in black and gold to give Werribee a narrow lead at quarter time.
The Suns edged back in front early in the second term, but Tullio again stood tall to convert his second, before Jake Smith added another on the run. Gold Coast hit back shortly after to keep the margin at just four points heading into the main break.
The Suns again struck first after halftime, but Werribee controlled the remainder of the third term, although they left chances on the table with five behinds. Louis Pinnuck launched a long goal from beyond 50, while Massimo Raso capitalised at ground level to kick his first in Werribee colours, helping extend the lead to 12 points at the final change.
Gold Coast once again opened the scoring in the final term, but midway through the quarter it was another of Werribee’s ten debutants, Sam Donegan, who steadied things, snapping through his first goal for the club to restore breathing room.
Elliott added his third late in the game to cap off an impressive debut, and despite finishing with 19 behinds, Werribee secured a 15-point win to open the season and sit sixth on the ladder after Round 1.
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FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 2.5 5.10 7.15 9.19 (73)
Gold Coast: 2.4 5.6 6.9 8.10 (58)
GOALS:
Werribee: W. Elliott (3), N. Tullio (2), S. Donegan, L. Pinnuck, M. Raso, J. Smith
Gold Coast: L. Gulbin (2), C. Collins, K. Coulsen, A. Eastham, Z. Evans, J. Walter
BEST:
Werribee: C. Lazzaro, R. Eyers, W. Elliott, S. Donegan, M. Cousins, J. Busuttil
Gold Coast: N. Holman, L. Gulbin, D. Patterson, K. Coulson, B. Jepson, C. Graham
It is time to write the next chapter in the history of the Werribee Football Club.
As we unveil our range of membership options for the 2026 season, the burning question is:
Are you part of The Next Chapter?
Our board, staff, coaches, players and volunteers are all gearing up for the 2026 season.
Join us today.
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