Tom Simpson has written his name into Werribee Football Club folklore, kicking a goal after the siren to deliver a thrilling one-point victory over St Kilda at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon.

The dramatic win extended Werribee's unbeaten run to seven matches and strengthened the club's hold on second spot on the VFL ladder, opening up a six-point gap to third-placed GWS in one of Werribee's most memorable home-and-away victories.

Remarkably, Simpson's match-winning goal came at the very same venue as Werribee's previous after-the-siren winner. Thirty-three years earlier, Jack Aziz kicked his sixth goal of the 1993 preliminary final after the siren at Moorabbin to send Werribee into its first-ever VFL Grand Final. The following week, Werribee defeated Port Melbourne to claim the first premiership in club history, making Simpson's heroics at the same ground an extraordinary piece of club history.

Playing just his ninth VFL match, Simpson finished with 13 disposals and two goals, while several teammates also produced standout performances.

Ryan Eyers was immense in defence with 13 disposals, five marks, six tackles, 11 spoils and six intercepts, while captain Jesse Clark continued his outstanding season with 18 disposals, six marks and nine intercepts.

Cooper Whyte produced arguably his best game of the season with 23 disposals, seven marks and two goals, while Lachie Charleson kicked a VFL career-high three goals, including two in the opening three minutes of the final quarter to get Werribee back into the contest.

Jack Riding amassed a team-high 31 disposals, 10 tackles and eight inside 50s, while his booming goal from beyond 50 metres late in the final quarter briefly gave Werribee the lead. Will Elliott battled superbly as Werribee's lone key forward following Brady Wright's late withdrawal, while Ajang Kuol Mun was enormous through the middle with 24 disposals, 23 contested possessions and 34 hitouts.

The afternoon presented an early challenge before the opening bounce, with key forward Brady Wright and winger Xavier Ivisic both ruled out through injury.

Their absences opened the door for Eli Pearce to return to the side, while Nash King became Werribee's 16th debutant of the 2026 season and the 1002nd player in the club's VFL history.

King earned his opportunity following an outstanding first half of the season with Wallan in the Riddell District Football Netball League and was presented with his No. 38 guernsey before the match by current Werribee teammate Reuben Rode. The pair previously played together at Wallan, with Rode also presenting King with his Calder Cannons guernsey ahead of his NAB League debut in juniors.

Kicking into a strong breeze in the opening quarter, Werribee made the ideal start.

Will Elliott opened the scoring three minutes into the contest before Jay Dahlhaus added another only two minutes later, helping Werribee establish an early advantage despite the conditions. Neither side managed another major for the remainder of the term as Werribee took an 11-point lead into quarter time, 2.1 (13) to 0.2 (2).

Charleson wasted little time extending the margin after the first break, snapping truly inside the opening minute of the second quarter.

St Kilda responded with its first goal of the afternoon midway through the term, but Simpson and Whyte both found the scoreboard before half time to help Werribee take a 16-point lead into the main break.

With the breeze at its back after half time, St Kilda took control.

The Saints piled on 5.5 to Werribee's 1.1 in the third quarter to overturn the deficit and carry a 12-point lead into the final break.

Werribee's only goal of the term came through Whyte after Bior Malual found him inside 50. Whyte converted the set shot to record the first multiple-goal game of his 68-game VFL career, and his first in 48 matches for Werribee.

Needing a fast start to the final quarter, Werribee received exactly that.

Charleson snapped truly inside the opening minute before adding another just two minutes later after a St Kilda reply, dragging the margin back to a single kick.

For the next 15 minutes both sides struggled to capitalise until Riding launched a roost from well beyond 50 metres to edge Werribee in front.

The lead was short-lived.

Isaac Keeler responded for the Saints at the 25-minute mark to restore a six-point advantage and set up a frantic finish.

Pearce then produced a courageous contested mark inside 50 in the 27th minute but could only manage a behind, reducing the margin to five points and ensuring Werribee still had one final opportunity.

St Kilda then turned the ball over exiting defensive 50, with Jay Dahlhaus intercepting the kick after coming from the interchange bench. Dahlhaus sent the ball long towards the top of the goal square where Simpson flew over the back of the pack and was awarded a free kick for a push in the back.

With the final siren sounding before he began his approach, Simpson went back and converted from directly in front to seal a thrilling one-point victory for Werribee.

Speaking to Werribee's media team after the match, Simpson admitted he had "never been more nervous in my entire life" before the kick.

Werribee will now return home this Sunday to host Port Melbourne at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for its annual Past Players and Officials Day, looking to extend its winning streak to eight matches.

FINAL SCORES:
Werribee: 2.1 5.2 6.3 10.66 (66)
St Kilda: 0.2 2.4 7.9 9.11 (65)

BEST PLAYERS:
Werribee: L. Charleson (3), T. Simpson (2), C. Whyte (2), J. Dahlhaus, W. Elliott, J. Riding
St Kilda: P. Said (4), J. Campigli (2), J. Clarke, I. Keller, B. Richardson