Werribee extended their winning streak to seven with a 14-point victory over Sydney, to remain at the top of the VFL ladder.

At Tramway Oval in Sydney on Sunday in trying conditions, Werribee made it three wins from three interstate trips for the 2024 season, defeating the Swans 5.15.45 to 9.5.59. 

In rainy conditions and a strong wind advantage Werribee got off to a fast start with Angus Hicks, for the third time this season, kicking the first goal of the game with a left foot snap. That was followed shortly after by a well converted Zac Banch set shot to take a 12-point lead halfway through the first quarter. After a scrappy 15-minute spell where both teams struggled to score, Sydney managed to kick their first goal just before quarter time, narrowing the margin to six points heading into the first break. 

Jack Henderson found plenty of the ball in the first term, with nine disposals and four clearances, while Dom Brew was Dom Brew with six disposals and four tackles.  

The second quarter mirrored the first in its scrappiness. Sydney failed to capitalise on the wind advantage kicking only the four behinds. Despite losing the inside 50 battle 15-6 for the quarter, Werribee was able to kick the sole goal for the term, with Zac Banch converting truly for his second goal of the game. This saw Werribee take an eight point lead into half-time. 

Werribee’s defenders were showing the way at the main break. Louis Pinnuck was the leading possession winner on the field, with 16 disposals and six marks.Nick Coughlan in his first game since Round 4 hadn’t missed a beat gathering 14 disposals in the first half.

Werribee dominated the third quarter kicking five goals to none. Hudson Garoni opened the quarter with back-to-back goals which continued his streak of kicking a goal in each game this year. To go with his two goals, Garoni also gathered a season-high 19 disposals and took nine marks, enjoying a strong afternoon despite the conditions.

After being awarded a 50 metre penalty Jesse Clark converted from 30 metres out forWerribee’s third goal of the quarter and the first goal of his VFL career. Since joining the club in 2020 and making his debut in 2021, Clark had played 41 games before finally notching this first goal in his 42nd game.

Following Clark’s goal, Kobe Annand, who played the majority of the game forward alongside fellow ruckman Sam Conway won a free kick inside 50 and kicked truly for his second goal of the season. Jack Riding then caught Sydney’s Indhi Kirk holding the ball and converted the set shot after the siren to take a 38-point lead into three-quarter time. 

With the wind advantage in the last quarter Sydney kicked the first three goals, however, Zac Banch found the big sticks, for a career high third goal, which proved crucial in slowing down Sydney's momentum. Banch also had 10 disposals and four tackles to go with his three goals in what was the small forward’s best game since signing for Werribee for the 2024 season.

It was a hotly contested final ten minutes with Sydney kicking a late goal but Werribee held on for a 14-point victory away from home.

Dom Brew ended the day as the leading disposal getter on the field, with 27 disposals, to go with 16 tackles and nine clearances. Louis Pinnuck also collected 27 disposals, with the in-form defender adding another ten marks to his tally, the fifth most in the VFL. 

Fellow defenders Jaelen Pavlidis,17 disposals and nine marks, and Nathan Cooper were named in the best. Riley Bice, 25 disposals, ten rebound 50s and seven marks, and Nick Coughlan, 22 disposals, eight rebound 50s and five marks, also offered plenty of run and carry off the back line.