Werribee's fate was decided in Round 21 with a five-point loss to Essendon on Sunday rulling the Big W out of finals contention in 2022.

Needing to beat the Bombers at Windy Hill, Werribee's finals hopes looked to still be alive at the 29-minute mark of the final quarter as Marty Brennan put the visitors two-points up, but the hosts stole victory late scoring the final goal of the game.

The result leaves Werribee (8-9) two games outside the top eight with one round to play, with Carlton or Richmond the only sides capable of claiming the last finals spot.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 4.1 4.2 8.7 10.9 (69)
Essendon: 0.3 4.9 6.10 10.14 (74)

GOALS
Werribee: O. Hanrahan 2, J. Dahlhaus 2, H. Garoni, J. Porter, M. Brennan, K. Declase, T. Gribble, M. Keast.
Essendon: J. Menzie 2, P. Voss, A. Waterman, T. Cutler, A. Davey, A. Lord, Z. Reid, H. Jones.

BEST
Werribee: N. Coughlan, O. Hanrahan, S. Mannagh, T. Gribble, J. Dahlhaus, D. Brew.
Essendon:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite a late change with star on-baller Matt Hanson ruled out of the match, and the remainder of the season with a broken hand, Werribee jumped from the blocks opening up a 19-point buffer early as Ollie Hanrahan, Josh Porter and Hudson Garoni all goaled inside the opening eight minutes. Kye Declase gave Werribee a fourth goal at the 16-minute mark, but that was all the scoring the Big W would muster with the aid of the breeze as the Bombers controlled the footy for much of the second half of the term.

The second quarter saw Werribee record the highest possession count of the match but most of that was in the back half of the ground as the visitors battled to contain the Bombers who would go inside 50 a total of 22 times. The hosts took the lead at the 27-minute mark with their fourth goal and Werribee went to the main break seven points down.

Essendon stretched their advantage to 13 points with the first goal of the second half, but Werrribe replied quickly through Matt Keast and Hanrahan, with two majors in the space of two minutes cutting the deficit to a point. The Bombers added a second goal 12 minutes in, but back-to-back Jay Dahlhaus goals would see Werribee regain the initiative at the 22-minute mark. The visitors had to settle for a nine-point lead at three quarter time lead after missing three late shots on goal.

With three Essendon goals coming inside the first 10 minutes of the final term Werribee needed a response, and it came from the boot of co-captain Tom Gribble at the 11-minute mark. The next 16 minutes would fail to produce a major with five behinds added to the scoreboard, before Marty Brennan’s 29th minute goal put the visitors two-points ahead. With Werribee's 2022 campaign looking like being decided on the last weekend of the home and away season, Big W hearts were broken with two minutes to go when Essendon intercepted the ball on Werribee’s half-forward line and quickly transitioned forward to score the match winner.

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 30 disposals (15 K), 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 3 tackles, 6 score involvements, 1 goal.
Nick Coughlan: 26 disposals (24 K) at 88% efficiency, 4 marks (2 IM), 14 rebound 3 score involvements.
Dom Brew: 25 disposals (16 K), 13 contested possessions, 11 groundball gets, 10 tackles, 3 inside 50s.
Ollie Hanrahan: 23 disposals (15 K), 13 contested possessions, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.
Shaun Mannagh: 21 disposals (14 K), 10 contested possesions, 6 clearnaces, 4 inside 50s, 5 tackles.
Bior Malual: 16 disposals at 81% efficiency, 5 intercept possessions, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 tackles.
Jay Dahlhaus: 13 disposals (11 K), 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 score involvements, 2 goals.

ROUND 21 IMAGE GALLERY

NEXT MATCH
Round 22
Werribee vs Northern Bullants
Saturday August 20, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval

Several players continue to push their case for VFL selection with strong displays at local level. See who all the top performers were and who enjoyed wins with their community clubs last weekend. 

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Lochie Smart – Deer Park
Was paid close attention by St Albans but managed 16 disposals and a goal in an 83-point victory, which moved the Lions into third place.

Spencer Johnson – Altona
Had 18 disposals and four tackles as the Vikings claimed their 14th win of the season with a 47-point triumph over Hoppers Crossing.

Sam Clifford – Hoppers Crossing
Third best for the Warriors in their 47-point loss to Altona, playing at halfback. Looked comfortable with some good body work and used the footy well.

Akol Deng – Yarraville Seddon
A hard slog for the Eagles in Round 16 with Werribee Districts inflicting a hefty loss. Broke even in the middle of the ground, finishing the game with 31 hit-outs.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Logan Wagener – Leopold (Local Player of the Week)
A big game in a big win over South Barwon. Won the ball 41 times, was clean around contest and lowered his eyes well going inside 50. Again highly invested in team defence, most notably working from one end of the ground to the other to affect a spoil on the opposition’s key forward.

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West
Returned after a month out injured and his offensive output was right back to where it had been previously. Had 26 disposals at 85% efficiency, nine marks and three tackles in a loss to St Joseph’s.

Joe Maishman – St Mary’s
Played on the wing and through the middle of ground collecting 19 disposals in a 17-point victory over Newtown and Chilwell. Used his speed to his advantage and was clean with the ball.

Gennaro Bove – Newtown & Chilwell
Didn’t waste many of his 15 disposals in the defeat to competition front runners St Mary’s.

Toby Mahoney – Bell Park
Back to his best back in the middle as the Dragons upset Grovedale with a 47-point triumph at home. Found time when space was tight and finished the day with 22 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

Flynn Young – Grovedale
Had limited opportunities early against Bell Park but got better as the game went on. Presented well and took some good contested marks. Booted another three goals to go with 15 disposals.

Sam Witherden – North Shore
Played as a key defender in a comfortable win over St Albans. Made some adjustments to his game after quarter time to good effect, and again provided drive and link up with 22 disposals and 91% efficiency.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Paea - Aberfeldie
Kicked three goals from 10 disposals to help the Abers defeat Pascoe Vale by eight points in a match-up between first and third. Had a good opponent but was able to win some important free kicks on the back of his work-rate.

Reuben William - Airport West
Ball use and clearance work was fantastic in his side’s Round 17 encounter with Sunbury Kangaroos. Also added a goal in a 50-point win.

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Harry Stubbings – Old Scotch 
Earned best-on-ground honours for teh Cardinals with an all-round performance in a 34-point defeat to league leaders St Kevins. Working hard both ways and used his pace to run and carry with purpose. Collected 31 disposals (25 kicks) and put the ball inside 50 on 11 occasions.

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jack Driscoll – Lavington
One of the best for the Panthers in a wet 39-point win over North Albury. Had an advantage in the ruck and capitalised with 33 hit-outs. Had 19 disposals and followed up well at the contest for seven clearances and six tackles.

Daniel Sharrock – Wangaratta Magpies
In swamp-like conditions at Myrtleford competed hard and won plenty of contested ball in 43-36 win over the Saints. Finished the day with 20 disposals and four tackles.

Tom Boyd – Wangaratta Rovers
Played in conditions not conducive for talls and had 10 disposals as Rovers went down to Wodonga Bulldogs by 42 points.

BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Brady Rowles – Eaglehawk
Did some good things for the Two Blues who suffered a 23-point loss away to Kyneton. Collected 18 disposals with six inside 50s.

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ariek Lual – Melton Centrals
Entered the Round 17 clash with Romsey under the weather, but after a slow first half worked his way into the game. One of the better performers for the Blues in a 73-point loss.

The Werribee Football Club is proud to continue its support of the Werribee Hospital Foundation with a donation for specialist medical equipment.

A recent $5,000 contribution by the club will go towards purchasing a GlideScope for use in the Paediatrics and Special Care Nursery at Werribee Mercy Hospital.

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said the club was thrilled to help fund an important hospital asset.

“The club is committed to supporting local groups and organisations and it’s fantastic to be able to give a donation to the Werribee Hospital Foundation,” he said.

“We hope this piece of equipment benefits the Werribee Mercy Hospital and its patients, people of the city Wyndham.”

The GlideScope is a video laryngoscope that can provide clear vison of the airway to help intubate a patient to assist their breathing in critical situations.

Werribee Hospital Foundation CEO Leanne Down said the GlideScope would be a welcome addition for the hospital.

“Our mission at the Foundation is to continue to support our growing community of Wyndham with the public health care services needed in our area,” she said.

“It is wonderful coming together with other likeminded organisations in our region to make a real impact for our community.

“The Werribee Hospital Foundation is grateful for the partnership with Mark and the Werribee Football Club and is extremely thankful for the generous donation.”

Werribee Football Club's annual online auction is back in 2022, taking place in August.

This year the major fundraiser will run for the 31st time. Bidding will open at 6pm Wednesday 10 August and close at 6pm Sunday 21 August.

Items available in this year's auction include:
- A landscaping and gardening package courtesy of Creative Gardens
- Home electronics and appliances
- Garmin Vivomove Smartwatches
- Vouchers to spend at local Wyndham restaurants and businesses
- Gym memberships, advertising packages, memorabilia & merchandise

CLINK HERE TO ACCESS THE AUCTION

Donations of items are still be accepted by the club. If you would like contribute to the auction you can email Zach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.