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

Saad El-Hawli – Altona

Among the top players for an undermanned Vikings who inflicted Caroline Spring’s first loss of the season. Again, had plenty of responsibility down back and bounced back well from some first half errors to play a crucial role when the game was in the balance. Had 28 disposals and four tackles.  

Akol Deng – Yarraville Seddon

Had a good day in an eight-point win over Point Cook. Finished with 44 hit-outs and 16 disposals while providing some excellent contests up forward, two of which resulted in goals and helped swing the momentum of the game.

Lochie Smart – Deer Park

Played as a permanent forward and had no problems getting shots on goal. Missed a few gettable chances but finished with two majors and 16 disposals along with three tackles as the Lions defeated Hopper Crossing by 31 points.

Harrison White- Werribee Districts (Local Player of the Week)

Best on ground in a losing effort versus Spotswood. With several key midfielders missing moved inside and impressed, reading the ball well off hands at stoppages while providing penetration from the contest. Tallied 24 disposals, six clearances, 10 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s and four tackles.

Connor Thar – Werribee Districts

Had his day end early after getting some pain in his ankle in the opening exchanges against the Woodsmen.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Clohesy – St Joseph’s

Worked hard up and down the ground all game and was strong in the air in a 50-point victory over North Shore. Collected 17 disposals and kicked a goal in win number eight for the Joeys.

Sam Witherden – North Shore

Found a lot of the ball in the loss to St Joseph’s. Was one of his team’s best with a consistent four quarter showing that culminated in 28 disposals along with nine clearances and eight inside 50s.

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West

Again played above the level to be amongst the best players for the Giants in their loss to Grovedale. Impacted the game well gathering 21 disposals and four tackles.

Matt Keast – St Mary’s

Played a negating role on former AFL player Darcy Lang and limited his influence to help the Saints overcome a higher placed Colac side by two goals. Was disciplined with his task but also impacted the game offensively using his 20 disposals well.   

Joe Maishman – St Mary’s

Copped a knock to the hip early and was limited for the remainder of the game against the Tigers.

Toby Mahoney – Bell Park

Worked his way into the match after a slow start and was a solid contributor in the second half finishing the day with 17 disposals and five tackles as the Dragons topped St Albans by 70 points.

Gennaro Bove – Newtown & Chilwell

Played his role in a crucial five-point triumph over Leopold. Kicked a goal from his 12 possessions and pressured the opposition with five tackles.

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Daniel Sharrock – Wangaratta Magpies

Won a lot of the ball in a big win over Corowa-Rutherglen. Collected 30 disposals at 86% efficiency with some great entries inside 50. Also laid eight tackles in the 117-point triumph.  

BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Brady Rowles – Eaglehawk

Embraced a move from the wing into the midfield and was a strong contributor with 23 disposals, seven marks and goal as the Two Blues enjoyed an impressive win against Kangaroo Flat.

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ariek Lual – Melton Centrals

Featured prominently in a 73-point win over Lancefield. Kicked a goal and was named in the top two players for Blues for the third straight match.  

After two home games Werribee is back on the road in Round 17 facing Box Hill on Saturday in the annual contest for the Beyond Blue Cup.

After collected an eighth win of the campaign Werribee has moved ahead of Box Hill on the ladder for the first time this season with the Big W currently occupying sixth spot with five games to play.

Box Hill (7-6) will be out to get their season back on track having fallen to ninth following three straight losses - the latest to Southport, and no doubt will prove a tough task at home.

Werribee members are entitled to half-price entry at away games so be sure to present your 2022 membership at the gate, otherwise tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for valid concessions, with kids under 15 free.

Patrons can enter via the main gate on Whitehorse Road or at the rear of the venue off Bolton Street.

Visit match centre on afl.com.au.

ROUND 17
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday July 16, 2.05pm
Box Hill City Oval

Werribee recorded its fourth straight home win and eighth victory of the season by defeating Coburg by 62 points.

The Round 16 win was set up on the back of a big first quarter with the result helping to move Werribee into sixth spot on the ladder after 13 games.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 6.5 9.9 13.16 15.21 (111)
Coburg: 0.1 2.3 4.3 7.7 (49)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 3, K. Declase 2, T. McCaffrey 2, L. Wagener 2, J. Dahlhaus, N. Hayes, M. Hanson, M. Brennan, T. Gribble, S. Paea. Mannagh.
Coburg: C. Thompson 2, L. Nelson 2, E. Sibbald, J. D'Intinosante, J. Kemp.

BEST
Werribee: N. Coughlan, K. Declase, M. Hanson, T. Gribble, D. Brew, L. Pinnuck.
Coburg:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Werribee enjoying its best first quarter of the season kicking 6.5 while limiting Coburg to just three inside 50s and a single behind in the opening term. Without key forward Hudson Garoni (illness) - one of three changes for the game - there was five individual goal scorers in the opening stanza with Logan Wagener kicking two for the second week in a row. Werribee did the damage on the scoreboard in the back half of the first term adding four goals in the final 10 minutes of play to lead by 40 points at quarter time.

Coburg grabbed the opening major of the second quarter, but Werribee’s first goal would eventually come from the boot of Tom Gribble from a forward stoppage after nine and half minutes. The home team’s advantage stretched further with back-to-back goals from Sam Paea and Shaun Manngh with the Big W up by 55 points at the 25-minute mark of the second before Coburg goaled late. Gribble (20 disposals, 1 goal) and Matt Hanson (19 disposals) controlled the midfield battle in the first half while Kye Declase was also at his best on the outside with 18 touches and a goal.

Late inclusion Marty Brennan, playing his first game since the opening round of the season got Werribee’s second half off to a good start snapping his first goal at VFL level six minutes into the third quarter and not long after Tom McCaffrey struct another blow with a quality finish from deep. The Big W registered the first nine scoring shots of the third before conceding two goals in the back end of the term. Despite that, Werribee was terrific defensively for the more than 20 minutes finishing the quarter with some of its best defensive numbers of the match with 19 tackles and 28 intercept possessions.

Werribee’s 67-point lead was reduced to 52 points 11 minutes into the last term, however, Nick Hayes and McCaffrey added final quarter goals to see the home team record its second biggest win this season. The defensive duo of Lou Pinnuck and Nick Coughlan, who celebrated his 50th game for Werribee, were again among Werribee's best combining for 18 intercept possessions between them. The pair also provided plenty of drive from the back half including one end-to-end passage in the first quarter which began with Coughlan’s long kick-in to Pinnuck and ended with a goal to Jay Dahlhaus in just 11 seconds. Darcy Cassar finished with 15 disposals and five marks in encouraging VFL debut.  

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 35 disposals (17 kicks), 15 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 tackles, 8 score involvements, 1 goal.
Matt Hanson: 30 disposals (19 kicks), 14 handball receives, 10 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 1 goal. 
Kye Declase: 29 disposals (21 kicks), 7 marks, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 9 score involvements, 2 goals. 
Dom Brew: 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 11 tackles. 
Lou Pinnuck: 23 disposals: (18 kicks), 10 marks (1 contested), 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s 6 score involvements.
Marty Brennan: 22 disposals, 6 marks (2 contested), 3 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 2 tackles, 1 goal.
Tom McCaffrey: 17 disposals (12 kicks), 7 marks (2 contested), 6 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles, 2 goals. 
Nick Coughlan: 15 disposals (13 kicks), 7 marks (5 intercept), 9 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.

NEXT MATCH
Round 17
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday July 16, 2:05pm
Box Hill City 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.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Lucas Rocci – Aberfeldie (Local Player of the Week)

Best on ground with a season-high seven goals and 20 disposals in a 53-point win over Avondale Heights. Impressed with his front and centre work and finishing. Also spent time on the ball and won several clearances. Has booted 16 goals in the past three weeks and now has 25 for the season.

Darcy Cassar - Keilor

Had a solid day in a 66-point victory against Maribyrnong Park. Lined up both inside and outside and worked tirelessly, covering a lot of ground.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Lachie Smart – Deer Park

Built on his first game back with a more confident showing on the weekend against Point Cook. Effort and intensity was at a high level as he totalled 25 disposals and kicked another three goals.

Saad El-Hawli – Altona

Had less creative freedom after the Vikings lost several defenders to injury ahead of their clash with Spotswood. Spent some time in the midfield and finished with 18 disposals in a comfortable win.

Akol Deng – Yarraville Seddon

Broke even in the middle of the ground and again followed up well. Worked hard to be an option around the ground as the Eagles registered a big win over Sunshine.

Ethan Jackson – Sunshine

Had a strong first half before injury ended his day against Yarraville Seddon. Continues to find space at the contest gathering 18 disposals and eight clearances in limited action.

Harrison White- Werribee Districts

One of the better players in a 26-point loss to Hoppers Crossing. Played through the midfield and did some nice things with 20 disposals. Had some good run and carry and burst from stoppages while also kicking a goal. Pressured well too.

Connor Thar – Werribee Districts

Tried hard all day and found plenty of the ball with 25 disposals in the defeat to the Warriors. Overall, another positive step as he works his way back to full fitness.

Cooper Pepi – St Albans

Collected 19 disposals and four clearances in a heavy defeat to league leaders Caroline Springs.