Fast Start Sets Up Home Win for Werribee
18 April 2026
Written by Jordan Baxter
Werribee held off a valiant Frankston side at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, with a dominant 10-goal-to-five first half setting up a 22-point victory.
The win sees Werribee move to 2-2 for the season, climbing to eleventh on the ladder following the 15.12 (102) to 11.14 (80) result.
Jake Smith set the tone early with a blistering first half, racking up 24 disposals before finishing with a career-high 36 touches and eight marks in a standout performance on the outside.
Small forward Noah Tullio also produced a career-best display, booting four goals, including three in the first half, as Werribee surged to a 30-point lead by the main break.
In the ruck, Ajang Kuol mun delivered his most dominant performance in the black and gold, finishing with 29 hitouts, well clear of the next best on 17, to go with eight clearances and 13 disposals.
They were well supported by Ryan Eyers, Louis Pinnuck, who collected a season-high 30 disposals, and Jack Riding, who added 26 disposals and a goal, with the trio building on their strong showing in the VFL’s win over the SANFL to produce their best performances of the season.
Noah Tullio opened proceedings, running into an open goal after strong forward pressure created the opportunity.
Jack Riding then produced a moment of brilliance for Werribee’s second, crumbing the pack and snapping a left-foot dribbler from 30 metres.
Frankston responded with two of the next three goals to take their first lead of the day, edging ahead by two points.
Tullio popped up again soon after, earning a free kick for a strong tackle inside 50 before converting to hand the lead back to Werribee.
Missed chances from both sides saw the first quarter end with scores level at 22 apiece.
It took just 10 seconds into the second term for Sam Donegan to hit the scoreboard, gathering a loose ball and finishing from 40 metres.
Jaelen Pavlidis then added his second career goal for Werribee in his 37th game, making the most of a 50-metre penalty.
Xavier Ivisic followed with his first goal in Werribee colours, the debutant finishing classily on the run after coming into the side following Round 1.
Sparked by an exquisite handball from Charlie Lazzaro, Werribee went coast to coast with slick ball movement, ending in a Jay Dahlhaus major as the momentum continued to build.
After seven straight behinds, Frankston finally broke through for their first goal of the term from the goal square.
Tullio responded in style, launching a long goal from 50 to bring up his third, as Werribee kicked five of the last six majors.
Harry Maguire piled on further pain just before half-time, converting after the siren in his first game of the season.
A six-goal-to-two second quarter gave Werribee a 30-point lead at the main break.
After a 10-minute goal drought to start the second half, Frankston struck with back-to-back goals to cut the margin to 19 points.
A risky switch across goal from Frankston was intercepted by the Werribee forwards, with Tullio again on hand to snap through his fourth.
Mace Cousins then denied Frankston a certain goal with a desperate goal-line spoil, punching the ball through for a behind.
Dom Brew delivered a pinpoint pass to Harry Maguire on the lead, who converted for his second and gave Werribee some breathing room.
Werribee steadied late in the third term to take a 21-point lead into the final break, after Frankston had briefly reduced the margin to 15.
Frankston struck first in the final quarter, but Brady Wright responded in his return from a Round 1 concussion, earning a free kick for a strong tackle and converting the set shot.
Lachlan Charleson combined with Ajang Kuol Mun to put the result beyond doubt, finishing on the run from 50 to seal the win.
Werribee will now turn its attention to its Round 5 ANZAC Day clash against Williamstown at DSV Stadium on Saturday April 25, with the first bounce at 7:05pm.
ROUND 4 PHOTO GALLERY: View here
FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 3.4 10.7 12.8 15.12 (102)
Frankston: 3.4 5.7 8.11 11.14 (80)
GOALS:
Werribee: N. Tullio (4), H. Maguire (3), L. Charleson (2), J. Dahlhaus, S. Donegan, X. Ivisic, J. Pavlidis, J. Riding, B. Wright
Frankston: B. Lambert (3), H. Coe (2), G. Grey (2), C. Ellison, C. Gay, T. Mynott, S. Quirk
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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