Written by Jordan Baxter

As Werribee returned home to Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for the first time in 2026, a 43-point opening term from Geelong proved the difference, with the visitors running out 44-point winners.

Recording their third win of the season, the Cats regained top spot on the ladder as Werribee’s record moved to 1–2 following the 12.13 (90) to 6.10 (36) result.

Despite the loss, Ryan Eyers continued to show why he is one of the competition’s premier key defenders, taking out Werribee’s Totally Workwear Hoppers Crossing Player of the Match. Eyers produced a huge defensive performance, finishing with 10 spoils and 12 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency.

Charlie Lazzaro was again among the best for the home side, gathering a team-high 30 disposals and eight clearances to continue his impressive start to life in the black and gold.

Ajang Kuol mun stood tall in the ruck against AFL-experienced Rhys Stanley, winning both the disposal and hitout battle while also recording six clearances. Jesse Clark collected a career-high 27 disposals, while Jake Smith (29 disposals) and Massimo Raso rounded out Werribee’s best.

Jamieson Ballantyne opened the scoring inside the first three minutes, setting the tone for a dominant Geelong start. The Cats controlled the contest early, with their slick ball movement proving difficult to contain as Werribee’s backline came under constant pressure.

Geelong’s opening quarter dominance resulted in six goals from 21 inside 50 entries, while Werribee was held scoreless in the opening term.

Werribee responded early in the second term through Jay Dahlhaus, whose tackle pressure earned a holding the ball free kick before converting truly from the set shot.

The momentum continued as Cooper Whyte finished a handball chain on the outside of the stoppage, bringing Werribee’s second goal in quick succession.

Geelong steadied late in the quarter, kicking two of the final three goals, but Werribee had reduced the margin from a game-high 49 points to 38 at the main break.

The second term saw Werribee lift their intensity, turning the game into more of an arm wrestle and winning the quarter 24 to 19.

Missed opportunities from Geelong early in the third quarter kept Werribee within reach, with the Cats managing 1.4 to start the term.

Lachlan Charleson read the play brilliantly, running into an open goal and finishing off the ground, before Noah Tullio ignited the crowd with a clever snap on the run after winning the footy at ground level.

The third quarter remained tightly contested, with Werribee kicking two goals to one to stay within striking distance at the final change, trailing by 36 points.

Dahlhaus became Werribee’s first multiple goalkicker of the day with a long-range set shot in the final term, but Ballantyne’s fourth goal soon after put the result beyond doubt, restoring the margin to 44 points.

Werribee now heads into the state league bye, with six players named in the initial 43-man squad. Attention will then turn to a return home against Frankston in Round 4.

ROUND 3 PHOTO GALLERY: View here

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 0.0 3.6 5.8 6.10 (46)
Geelong: 6.7 9.8 10.14 12.18 (90)

GOALS:
Werribee: J. Dahlhaus (2), L. Charleson, W. Elliott, N. Tullio, C. Whyte
Geelong: J. Ballantyne (4), M. Herbert (2), J. Mellor (2), D. Capiron, J. Pike, W. White, M. Williams