Werribee continued its rich vein of form in Round 17, defeating the Northern Bullants by 141 points to claim its 12th win of the VFL season.

On a wet afternoon at Avalon Airport Oval the hosts dominated from the outset, extending their lead at every break to record their biggest win of the season with a 23.23 (171) to 2.5 (17) result.

With Gold Coast and Brisbane having the week off the win elevated Werribee to second on the ladder with the Big W now only trailing the top placed Suns by percentage.

Jack Henderson and Matt Keast were Werribee’s leading ball winners on the day with 31 and 30 disposals respectively, with Keast also limiting Bullants star Jean-Luc Velissaris to just 18 touches.

Meanwhile Hudson Garoni, one of 15 individual goal scorers for Werribee, completing his best return since Round 5, kicking five majors.

It was all one-way traffic in the first quarter with goals to Bior Malual, Garoni and Kye Declase giving Werribee a 21-point buffer before the visitors had even gone inside 50.

Three more majors by the home team while restricting the Bullants to just three forward entries and a scoreless opening term saw the Big W with a 43-point quarter time lead.

Things wouldn’t be as easy for Werribee to start the second stanza with the visitors limiting the Big W to just a single behind in the first 11 minutes of play.

However, the hosts would eventually break the shackles with Declase, Garoni and Tom Gribble nailing majors in the space of three minutes.

The Bullants got their first goal at the 18-minute mark, before back-to-back majors from Dom Brew and Henderson to end the half, lifted the margin to 70 points at the main break.

It took little time for Werribee to open the scoring in the second half with Garoni marking on the lead and then converting his set shot inside the first minute.

Further goals followed from Shaun Mannagh and Sam Paea before a running finish deep in the pocket from Sam Clohesy brought up triple figures for Werribee.

Louis Pinnuck and Jack Boyd soon got in on the action with Clohesy’s second and a late Nick Hayes goal giving the hosts their best quarter of the match.

Lucas Rocci was first on the board in the final term slotting home a free kick just two minutes in with Garoni adding Werribee’s next two goals, the key forward’s fifth coming via a soccer assist from Malual.

The home team’s final major came courtesy of Wardell Lual with the defender booting the Big W’s 23rd goal at the 24-minute mark of the last.

Werribee: 6.7 11.10 19.7 23.23 (161)
Northern Bullants: 0.0 1.0 1.2 2.5 (17)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 5, K. Declase 2, S. Clohesy 2, J. Henderson 2, B. Malual, S. Mannagh, S. Paea, N. Hayes, J. Boyd, T. Gribble, L. Rocci, D. Brew, N. Lever, W. Lual, L. Pinnuck.
Northern Bullants: J. Barling, S. El-Hawli. 

BEST
Werribee: J. Henderson, K. Annand, H. Garoni, D. Brew, B. Malual, M. Keast.

KEY PLAYERS
Jack Henderson: 31 disposals (20 K, 11 HB), 12 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 15 score involvements, 2 goals.
Matt Keast: 30 disposals (16 K, 12 HB), 7 marks, 11 handball receives, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 8 score involvements.
Tom Gribble: 28 disposals (15 K, 14 HB), 12 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 1 goal.
Dom Brew: 26 disposals (17 K, 9 HB), 18 contested possessions, 5 tackles, 13 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 9 score involvements, 1 goal.
Kye Declase: 24 disposals (13 K, 11 HB), 13 contested possessions, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 2 goals.
Nick Coughlan: 16 disposals (15 K, 1 HB), 10 intercept possessions, 9 marks (6 intercept), 3 tackles, 6 rebound 50s.
Hudson Garoni: 16 disposals (11 K, 5 HB), 5 marks (1 contested), 2 clearances, 11 score involvements, 5 goals.
Bior Malual: 16 disposals (13 K, 3 HB), 11 marks (2 intercept), 4 inside 50s, 8 score involvements, 2 goals.
Kobe Annand: 12 disposals (8 K, 4 HB), 3 marks (1 contested), 39 hit-outs, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 score involvements.

ROUND 17 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

NEXT GAME
Round 18
Werribee vs Frankston
Saturday 22th July, 1:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Fifteen Werribee players took to the field in local competitions this past weekend with several players returning from injury and a number of others producing notable performances.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Witherden – North Shore
Played a big part in North Shore’s second win of the season, a 16-point triumph over St Albans in very windy conditions. Moved into the midfield after quarter time and was influential with some strong stoppage work and good run and carry. Had 25 disposals with five inside 50s and five tackles.

Connor Thar – Lara
Made his Lara debut his first match since suffering an ankle injury against Footscray in Round 8. In an encouraging return against reigning premiers St Mary’s, played with confidence and good energy, gathering 15 disposals (12 kicks) while adding a goal in just a half of footy.

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West
Was the most prominent Giant in a 31-point loss to third placed Colac. Totalled 38 disposals (8 inside 50s, 5 clearances) and nine tackles to receive best afield honours.

Noah Gribble – Geelong West
Taking to the field in his first game in almost a month it wasn’t the return anyone would have hoped for with shoulder and foot issues bringing his day to a premature end. Played predominately as a forward.

Charlie Byrne – Newtown & Chilwell
One of the best for the Eagles as they overcame Grovdeale by 50 points for their in their 11th win of the season. Collected 29 disposals off halfback and kicked two nice goals. Also had 11 marks and three tackles.

Flynn Young – Newtown & Chilwell
Had an impact in attack but some inaccurate goal kicking (three behinds) was the difference in not having a greater influence on the game. His one major was an impressive one amongst 14 disposals and two tackles in the win over the Tigers. 

Mitch Burgess – Leopold
Enjoyed a solid return to footy and played his part in helping the Lions seperate themselves from South Barwon thanks to a 36-point victory over the Swans. Showed good acceleration when in possession.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
Was the top performer for the Eagles in a 46-point victory over Spotswood with his best game in several weeks. Dominated in the ruck with 57 hit-outs and was good around the ground collecting 24 disposals (13 contested, 8 clearances). Showed plenty of physicality across the day.

Michael Selsby – Yarraville Seddon
Also amongst the better players against the Woodsmen with 30 disposals, eight clearances and goal. Set the tone early and won a good amount of the ball both inside and on the outside.

Aidan Johnson – Yarraville Seddon
Spent the majority of the day in defence where he played an important role in the Eagles’ fourth win. Was strong in the contest and used the ball well, tallying 17 disposals along with nine one-percenters.

Sam Clifford – Hoppers Crossing
Played well to be named in the best for the Warriors in a 23-point loss to Point Cook Centrals. Provided some good rebound and didn’t waste many of his 15 disposals.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cam McLeod – Avondale Heights
One of the best for Heights in a 58-point defeat away to Greenvale. Used mainly in defence, but also swung forward in the third term to try and provide an avenue to goal. Had 16 disposals and three contested marks. 

Lachlan Smart – Deer Park
Was a strong performer in a narrow five-point loss to West Coburg. Finished with 23 disposals, nine tackles and two goals in the second matchup this year between the Lions and Burgers to be decided by less than a goal.


BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Bailey Henderson – Castlemaine (Local Player of the Week)
Was comfortably Castlemaine’s best player in their loss to Gisborne accumulating 45 disposals (5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s) and 11 tackles. Showed great leadership also, offering encouragement and direction for his teammates.

OVENS & MURRAY FOOTBAL LEAGUE

Sam Azzi – North Albury
Suffered a hamstring injury early in the game, in the Hoppers’ Round 12 contest against Albury.

Werribee continues a run of three straight standalone matchups in Round 17, playing host to the Northern Bullants on Saturday.

Having now won 10 straight games over a 12-week span, Werribee (11-2) will look to continue their recent dominance over the rebuilding Bullants, which includes two victories of more than 160 points.

The Bullants (2-11) are coming of a challenging month having played AFL-aligned clubs, including the league’s top two sides in their past three games, and will be keen for a better showing against a fellow standalone.

TEAM NEWS
The home team will go into Saturday's game unchanged.

ENTRY DETAILS
Entry for Werribee's Round 17 & 18 fixtures will be free for all patrons with the gates at Avalon Airport Oval opening at 12pm this weekend. 

ROUND 17
Werribee vs Northern Bullants
Saturday 15th July, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 17 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee was made to work for its 10th straight win and first at Port Melbourne since 2015, securing a 23-point victory over the Borough in Round 16.

The visitors led at every change on a blustery day at ETU Stadium, but there were some nervous moments for the visitors with Port drawing within 15 points early in the fourth quarter.

It would be as close as the hosts got though, with a couple of late goals securing Werribee’s 11th win of the season, as they continue to keep the pressure on the league's top two sides in Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Kicking into a strong breeze in the first term, Werribee took a four-point advantage into quarter time after two late Shaun Mannagh goals gave the visitors some ascendancy on the scoreboard.

The Big W generated five scoring shots from 11 inside 50 entries in the opening stanza, but it took until the 28-minute mark for Mannagh to bag the team’s first goal before he nailed a second running effort just a minute a later.

Werribee had no trouble getting the ball forward in the second quarter, but Sam Paea’s sixth-minute snap was the team’s only major for the first 20 minutes.

Hudson Garoni eventually added Werribee’s fourth goal of the afternoon before a quick kick out of congestion from Kye Declase stretched the lead to 26 points.

Meanwhile, the visitors were strong defensively gathering 20 intercepts in the term with Jesse Clark and Louis Pinnuck having a significant impact.

Port Melbourne kicked two of the first three majors to start the third quarter before back-to-back goals from Dom Brew and Matt Keast pushed the margin out to 35 points.

However, the Borough weren’t going away as they added two majors from four scoring shots to end the third.

That home team made further inroads with a goal three minutes into the last, but the visitors then dug their heels in for an extended period, only allowing the Borough two more attacking entries for the term.

A Tom Gribble behind was the only score for more than 20 minutes before majors to Declase and Jack Boyd in quick succession put the result beyond doubt.  

Werribee ended the day +36 in disposals and +19 in contested possessions as well as finishing +25 for inside 50s and +12 in tackles.

Werribee: 2.3 5.10 8.12 10.14 (74)
Port Melbourne: 1.5 1.6 5.9 7.9 (51)

GOALS
Werribee: K. Declase 2, S. Mannagh 2, H. Garoni 2, J. Boyd, D. Brew,  M. Keast, S. Paea.
Port Melbourne: J. Gasper 2, A. Manton 2, F. Rosman, K. Viccars, T. Hofert. 

BEST
Werribee: S. Mannagh, K. Declase, T Gribble, J. Clark, D. Brew, N. Lever.

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 34 disposals (13 K, 21 HB), 18 handball receives, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 score involvements.
Shaun Mannagh: 28 disposals (20 K, 8 HB), 14 contested possessions, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 9 score involvements, 2 goals.
Kye Declase: 26 disposals (17 K, 9 HB), 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 score assists, 1 goal.
Jack Henderson: 23 disposals (7 K, 16 HB),5 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 7 score involvements.
Dom Brew: 19 disposals (14 K, 5 HB), 13 contested possessions, 18 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 score involvements, 1 goal.
Louis Pinnuck: 18 disposals (16 K, 2 HB), 7 marks (3 intercept, 3 contested), 2 tackles, 11 inside 50s, 6 score involvements.
Noah Lever: 13 disposals (5 K, 8 HB), 5 marks (2 contested), 7 tackles, 7 score involvements, 3 core assists.
Matt Keast: 13 disposals (6 K, 7 HB), 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 score involvements, 1 goal.
Hudson Garoni: 8 disposals (4 K, 4 HB), 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals.

NEXT GAME
Round 17
Werribee vs Northern Bullants
Saturday 15th July, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee