At VFL level, Werribee extended its winning streak to seven matches on Saturday after Tom Simpson became the hero, kicking a goal after the siren to snatch a dramatic one-point victory over St Kilda at RSEA Park.

The thrilling 10.6 (66) to 9.11 (65) win improved Werribee's record to 10-3-1 and maintained the club's hold on second place on the VFL ladder.

It was another busy weekend across local football, with several Werribee-listed players producing standout performances. Rani Pavlidis enjoyed the best senior game of his career, Ollie Bridgewater made a successful return from injury, while Tom Webster stunned with a career-best six goals in an unfamiliar forward role.

Read how the 17 Werribee boys fared in this week's edition of the Weekly Local Player Report for 2026.

Western Football Netball League:

Emerson Jeka - Altona
Jeka backed up his successful return from injury with another impressive display despite Altona going down by 26 points to Newport. Named among the Vikings' best players, the key defender gathered 28 disposals, 11 marks, including three intercept marks, and eight rebound 50s while providing plenty of drive from half back. He also spent time through the midfield in the final quarter, where his toughness and willingness to win the football stood out on a difficult day for his side.

Daly Andrews - Yarraville Seddon Eagles
Andrews continued his excellent season as Yarraville Seddon emphatically defeated fellow premiership contender Parkside by 47 points in a top-two clash. The midfielder collected 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances, nine inside 50s and five tackles while helping the Eagles move eight points clear on top of the ladder. Strong around stoppage and dangerous on the burst, Andrews again played a key role in another dominant team performance.

Rani Pavlidis - Werribee Districts
Pavlidis produced arguably the finest senior performance of his career as Werribee Districts demolished Point Cook Centrals by 138 points. Given increased midfield responsibility, the young forward thrived with 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, six tackles, three goals and 13 score involvements in a dominant all-round display. His clean hands in congestion, ability to burst from the contest and impact both as a midfielder and forward earned him a place among the best players in one of his best senior performances to date.

Bellarine Football Netball League:

Luke Preece - Drysdale
Preece produced another outstanding display as Drysdale defeated Surf Coast by 48 points. Named among the Hawks' best players, the defender collected 28 disposals at 86% efficiency, nine marks, including seven intercept marks, a massive 15 intercept possessions, five rebound 50s and five tackles. Playing as the spare behind the ball in tricky conditions, he repeatedly repelled opposition attacks and was once again a dominant aerial presence.

Archer Hanegraaf - Geelong Amateurs
Hanegraaf helped Geelong Amateurs edge Newcomb by a thrilling single point in one of the games of the weekend. The midfielder finished with 24 disposals, nine contested possessions, 10 tackles, nine intercept possessions and five clearances in another industrious display. His offensive game continues to impress as he puts together an excellent season at local level.

Tom Webster - Newcomb
On the other side of the one-point thriller against Hanegraaf's Geelong Amateurs, Webster enjoyed a memorable afternoon despite Newcomb falling just short. Normally used in defence, he was thrown forward and responded with a career-best six goals from 19 disposals and 10 marks, including four contested grabs, while recording 13 score involvements. Named his side's best player, Webster showcased his versatility with one of the standout individual performances of the weekend.

Geelong Football Netball League:

Micah Robb - Colac
Robb continued his outstanding local form as Colac defeated Grovedale by 64 points. Named among the best players, the midfielder collected 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 13 tackles, nine intercept possessions, seven inside 50s, five clearances and seven score involvements. It was another outstanding all-round performance built on an excellent balance between attack and defence.

Ollie Bridgewater - Bell Park
Bridgewater made a successful return from a broken wrist in his first match since April, helping Bell Park to a 181-point smashing of North Shore. Spending most of the afternoon forward, with stints in the ruck and on the wing, he gathered 12 disposals, 14 hitouts and eight score involvements. After several months on the sidelines, including a trip to Europe during his recovery, his confidence steadily grew as the game progressed.

Josh Sanders - St Mary's
Sanders played an important role in St Mary's 17-point victory over South Barwon. Starting through the midfield before shifting to half back, he finished with 14 disposals, six tackles and five intercept possessions. The move into defence proved beneficial, with his strong contest work and defensive mindset helping steady the backline during the second half.

Essendon District Football League:

Tom Cappellari - Essendon Doutta Stars
Cappellari continued his strong season despite Essendon Doutta Stars falling by 33 points to Strathmore. Named among the best players, the midfielder finished with 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five tackles, four clearances, six intercept possessions and a goal. His ability to consistently win the football around the contest again made him an important contributor despite the defeat.

Massimo Raso - Deer Park
Raso was one of Deer Park's better contributors despite a 21-point loss to Hillside. Splitting his time between high half forward and the midfield, he gathered 20 disposals, seven contested possessions, seven score involvements and booted two goals. His work rate and ability to impact in multiple roles saw him named among the Lions' best players.

Hampden Football Netball League:

Myles McCluggage - South Warrnambool
McCluggage battled strongly despite South Warrnambool's 10-point loss to Port Fairy in extremely muddy conditions. Playing as an inside midfielder, he finished with 20 disposals, 12 tackles and four inside 50s. His clean hands and willingness to do the basics well were standout features on a difficult day for everyone involved.

Archie Taylor - Cobden
Taylor was again among Cobden's best despite a 33-point loss to Terang Mortlake. The midfielder collected 20 disposals, six clearances and 12 tackles while continuing to handle increased opposition attention with maturity. It marked the ninth time in 10 matches this season he has been named among Cobden's best players.

Tylar Watts - Portland
Watts returned from a groin complaint as Portland recorded a hard-fought 27-21 victory over Hamilton in a low-scoring affair. On managed minutes, the ruckman collected 16 disposals, 23 hitouts, nine contested possessions and four tackles while battling hard in difficult conditions. The outing was an important step in building confidence after his injury layoff.

Ovens & Murray Football Netball League:

Nick Newton - Lavington Panthers
Newton produced his best performance of the season despite Lavington's 38-point loss to Wodonga in the standalone Hall of Fame Showdown match in the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League. Named his side's best player, he collected 33 disposals, nine rebound 50s and four intercept possessions while consistently breaking lines with the football. He also defended strongly despite the six-goal defeat, making it comfortably his strongest local performance of the season.

Cooper Hall - Lavington Panthers
Hall battled hard alongside Newton despite Lavington's defeat to Wodonga. The midfielder finished with 11 disposals, nine contested possessions, five clearances and five tackles. His pressure and competitiveness around the contest remained important positives despite the result.

Wimmera Football League:
Cody Bryan - Horsham Saints

Bryan continued his strong run of form as Horsham defeated Southern Mallee by 34 points in wet conditions. The versatile big man finished with 11 disposals, 26 hitouts, 10 contested possessions, five score involvements and a goal. His work both in the air and at ground level proved invaluable in the difficult conditions as the Saints recorded another important victory.