The second of back-to-back away games pits Werribee against Richmond in Round 12 of the VFL season.

After taking on the Lions at Coburg last weekend the Big W face the Tigers at Punt Road Oval this Sunday where they will be hunting an eighth victory of 2023. Werribee were in impressive winners in this same fixture a year ago, triumphing by 37 points on a Wednesday night last June.

Richmond is currently ninth on the ladder with a 5-1-1 record and are unbeaten in their last three following a draw with Geelong and consecutive two-point wins over Essendon and then GWS.  

GAME DAY DETAILS
Gates open at 12:30pm with entry to the ground via Gate 1 next to the Roar Store on Brunton Avenue. Note, there will be no seating available for the public in the Jack Dyer stand or the bleachers in front of the stand.

Werribee members receive half-price entry with the cost for non-members, $10 for adults and $5 for concession. Kids under 16 are free. 

ROUND 12
Werribee vs Richmond
Sunday 11th June, 1:05pm
Punt Road Oval, Richmond

Round 12 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

A first away game in almost a month saw Werribee overcome fellow standalone club Coburg by 60 points in Round 11 of the Smithy's VFL season.

The 13.19 (97) to 5.7 (37) result against the Lions took the Big W’s winning run to six games and see's them maintain fourth position on the ladder courtesy of the club's seventh win of the year.

Werribee regained defenders Michael Sodomaco and Jesse Clark for the contest along with veteran bigman Josh Porter who was important in the ruck in his first VFL game since Round 7.

With Kobe Annand missing through injury, Porter helped the visitors dominate in the middle of the ground with the likes of Tom Gribble, Dom Brew and Jack Henderson again finding plenty of footy.

Werribee had 10 different goal kickers on the day with Bior Malual and Keegan Gray proving their effectiveness as forwards each kicking two goals, a number that was matched by Sam Paea.

A low score against after another strong display from captain Nick Coughlan and Co. down back, now has Werribee with the second-best defensive record in the competition with Box Hill the only team to have conceded less points than the Big W.

The visitors recorded a season-high 416 disposals and 110 marks at Coburg City Oval but failed to fully capitalise on the scoreboard in muddy conditions, and in game that had plenty of congestion at times.  

Early goals to Jack Boyd and Kye Declase had Werribee leading by 14 points after a little more than six minutes, but it took another 10 minutes for the Big W to add a third major which came through Bior Malual, before Emmanuel Ajang slotted his first VFL goal soon after.

The visitors ended the opening quarter with the four straight behinds and that inaccuracy continued in the second term with four more behinds before Coburg made the most of their first opportunity at the other end. But three goals in as many minutes had Werribee on top by 42 points at the 19-minute mark with the Big W then going to halftime with a 43-point buffer.

Werribee had the first five scoring shots of the third term with Paea’s second goal and a first to Shaun Mannagh pushing the margin out to 58 points. However, the Big W’s advantage was cut to 45 points at the end of three quarters with Coburg fighting hard and adding two majors of their own.

Some of Werribee’s best football came in the opening 17 minutes of the final stanza with majors to Noah Lever, Keegan Gray and Nick Hayes extending the visitors’ lead to a game-high 11 goals before it was reduced to an even 10 at the end of the game.

At the final siren Werribee was +108 for disposals, +24 in contested possessions, +31 for inside 50s, +18 in clearances, and +9 for tackles.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 4.7 8.12 10.15 13.19 (97)
Coburg: 0.3 2.5 4.6 5.7 (37)

GOALS
Werribee: K. Gray 2, B. Malual 2, S. Paea 2, S. Mannagh, H. Garoni, K. Declase, N. Hayes, E. Ajang, J. Boyd, M. Keast.
Coburg: A. Clarke 2, J. D'Intinosante, T. Jepson, J. Kemp.

BEST
Werribee: T. Gribble, N. Hayes, J. Henderson, N. Cooper, B. Malual, K. Gray.

PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 40 disposals (17 K, 23 HB)at 83% efficiency, 15 contested possessions, 11 marks (1 contested) 9 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 tackles, 15 score involvements.
Jack Henderson: 33 disposals (14 K, 19 HB), 17 handball receives, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 tackles, 12 score involvements.
Dom Brew: 30 disposals (17 K, 13 HB), 19 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 10 tackles, 7 score involvements.
Kye Declase: 27 disposals (13 K, 14 HB) at 81% efficiency, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 3 tackles, 1 goal.
Louis Pinnuck: 21 disposals (21 K, 1 HB), 14 marks (3 intercept), 7 intercept possessions, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.
Josh Porter: 20 disposals (8 K, 12 HB), 6 marks, 23 hit-outs, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 tackles.
Bior Malual: 20 disposals (11 K, 9 HB), 6 marks (2 contested), 11 score involvements, 3 score assists, 2 goals.
Nick Hayes: 17 disposals (10 K, 7 HB), 6 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 6 score involvements, 1 goal.
Keegan Gray: 16 disposals (12 K, 4 HB) 4 marks, 2 clearances, 9 score involvements, 3 score assists, 2 goals.

ROUND 11 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

NEXT GAME
Round 12
Werribee vs Richmond
Sunday 11th June, 1:05pm
Punt Road Oval

A league-wide bye in the Geelong Football League meant the Big W had just eight players turn out in local competitions last weekend. Despite the limited numbers there were plenty of good performances across the board.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Akol Deng - Yarraville Seddon
Another strong showing and one of his side’s best in a good win over Hoppers Crossing. With the opposition looking to be physical against him, he responded well both in the ruck and around the ground tallying 38 hit-outs (10 to advantage) and 23 disposals including 11 clearances.

Michael Selsby - Yarraville Seddon
A selfless and team orientated performance in the Eagles’ second straight win. Had 26 disposals (nine clearances, six inside 50s) at 80 percent efficiency. His organisation and blocking at stoppages stood out and made those around him better. Hit the scoreboard too, leading the way with three majors.

Sam Clifford - Hoppers Crossing
Didn’t get a lot of good looks as the Warriors were well beaten by Yarraville Seddon but used his 15 disposals well going at 93 percent efficiency in his role off half-back.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Lachlan Smart - Deer Park (Local Player of the Week)
Best on ground in top three clash against Hillside with the Lions saluting by 26 points. Played deep forward and bagged seven goals from 10 scoring shots while bringing great forward pressure with eight tackles. Finished with 22 disposals in his most complete game this season.

Darcy Cassar - Keilor
A good showing in a comfortable win over Greenvale accumulating 25 disposals (17 kicks) at 84 percent efficiency. Lowered his eyes well to hit up his teammates across the day.

Josh Porter - Greenvale
One of the best for the Jets against the Keilor. Dominated around the ground with 26 disposals and was dangerous up forward booting a team-leading four goals. Had 12 marks for the day, five contested and tallied 35 hit-outs in the ruck.

Cam McLeod - Avondale Heights
Played a different role in Round 7, lining up in the backline against East Keilor. Used the ball well across 25 touches to go with five marks and three tackles in the defeat.

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBAL LEAGUE

Zayne Galea - Williamstown CYMS
Continuing his upward trajectory with another solid outing. Exuded confidence off half-back with 20 disposals and three intercept marks. Impressed offensively in the team’s narrow loss to De La Salle.

By Gerald Lynch

Every Werribee player through time will now be forever recognised with their own personal number with the club pleased to announce the official list of players that have represented the club in a senior VFA/VFL match. 

Almost 1000 players have lined up for Werribee in a senior game in the club’s 59-year existence, but it’s taken several years of research led by board member Ian Hovey, to piece together the list. 

With no official records from the club’s first four decades citing the round and/or date when players debuted, Hovey and others were tasked with combing through numerous club and league archives. 

With countless hours of research now complete, Brian Holcombe, who coached and captained Werribee in its inaugural season in 1965, is credited with being the club’s first ever player. 

After 10 rounds of the 2023 VFL season 953 players have now represented Werribee at senior level. 

Some of the notable names and their numbers include John Comben who was Werribee’s 62^nd overall player while Australian Test bowler Merv Hughes who appeared in 95 games was No. 214. 

Donald McDonald, Werribee’s only premiership coach was the 428th player to represent the club with his son, current North Melbourne captain Luke McDonald becoming the club’s 780th when he debuted 20 years after his father in 2013. 

Games record holder Robbie Castello was the 609th player for Werribee with leading goal kicker Kevin Leece listed at 102, while current senior coach Michael Barlow’s number is 670. 

The only Brownlow Medallist to have pulled on a Werribee jumper Adam Cooney, who played two games in 2004 during the club’s alignment with the Western Bulldogs, is player 606. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was great to now have the full list of player numbers on hand.    

“It’s been a big project with a lot of hours dedicated to it by Ian and Micki Hovey and Narelle Penaluna,” he said. 

“For a lot of our past players it’s not something many will be aware of, but we hope it creates a bit of interest amongst those that have previously played here.

“Going forward it’s something that they we can tell players when they debut and is hopefully something they will remember from their time at the club.”

To discover the full list of Werribee player history CLICK HERE

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Image: The first Werribee team in 1965.