Werribee will make its final interstate trip of the year in Round 20 with the team to journey north to face Brisbane this weekend.

After back-to-back losses, a win over the third placed Lions will be a big boost to Werribee's hopes of playing finals in 2022 as the home and away season draws to its conclusion with three rounds remaining.

Brisbane has been in the top half of the top eight all year long and now has 11 victories from 15 games following a return to the winners list last week, with a 25-point triumph over Richmond at Punt Road.

TEAM NEWS

Matt Hanson, Nick Hayes, Josh Porter and Jay Dahlhaus all come back in after not playing against Footscray .

Joining them is Nathan Cooper, who is back for his first game since Round 12 after a hamstring injury, while under 22 players Matt Keast and Saad El-Hawli also return to the side.

Making way are Lucas Rocci, Reuben William, Logan Wagener, Tom McCaffrey, Darcy Cassar, Ariek Lual and Sam Paea.

Round 20 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

ROUND 20
Werribee vs Brisbane
Saturday August 6, 11:05am
Moreton Bay Sports Complex

Werribee has suffered its first loss at home since May going down to Footscray by 26 points at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 19.

A four goal to one opening term saw Werribee lead by 18 points at the first break but it was the visitors that controlled the match for the  final three quarters kicking 11 of the last 16 goals to retain the HealthWest Cup. 

Werribee's Hudson Garoni was the standout forward on the ground booting five goals with the hosts also well served by Kye Declase, playing in his 50th game for the club, and leaders Dom Brew and Nick Coughlan.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 4.1 6.1 7.2 9.4 (58)
Footscray: 1.1 6.4 7.9 12.12 (84)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 5, K. Declase 2, N.Coughlan, T. Gribble.
Footscray: J. Schache 3, C. Raak 3, L, Sullivan 2, A. Jones, J. Sweet, D. Bendendo, R. Smith.

BEST
Werribee: H. Garoni, K. Declase, D. Brew, L. Pinnuck, N Coughlan, L. Rocci.
Footscray:

VIEW ROUND 19 IMAGE GALLERY

HOW IT HAPPENED
It took little more than a minute for Werribee to kick the first goal of the game with Kye Declase in his 50^th match for the club, converting on the run from just inside 50. Things only got better from there with back-to-back Hudson Garoni goals seeing Werribee out to a 19-point lead at the 16-minute mark. Footscray registered their only goal of the term 21 minutes in before Declase provided a swift reply with his second. Werribee was efficient in attack adding its 4.1 from seven inside 50 entries while in defence the hosts conceded just two scores from a total of 15 entries by the Bulldogs. Having already entered the clash without a host of key players Werribee lost a rotation with a first quarter ankle injury to Darcy Cassar.

The lead changed several times in the second term. Like Werribee had done in the opening stanza, Footscray had the first four scoring shots of the quarter with their third goal putting them ahead for the first time 12 minutes in. Hudson Garoni twice restored the lead for Werribee, with the key forward initially doing so at the 17-minute mark and then on a second occasion after 25 minutes. However, the hosts went into half-time three points down after conceding a late goal. Dom Brew, Nick Coughlan and Jack Henderson were all prominent for Werribee across the first two quarters with the trio gathering 14 disposals apiece in the opening half.

Footscray dominated the early exchanges of the third quarter but their inability to convert, kicking 1.6 in the first 18 minutes, meant Werribee remained within striking distance. With Dom Brew continuing to toil away in midfield and Ollie Hanrahan working his way into the game Werribee was able to ease the pressure on its defence by enjoying a good period of possession in the back end of the term. And the hosts were finally rewarded late on with the margin reduced to seven points as Garoni bagged his fifth of the afternoon two minutes out from the three-quarter time siren.

Having lacked tall forward options with Josh Porter and Nick Hayes out of the side, Coughlan started the final quarter in attack. The move proved a good one too when he produced Werribee’s first major 12 minutes into the last after the Bulldogs had goaled five minutes earlier. Unfortunately for Werribee it was the Bulldogs with the next couple of crucial scores as the hosts fell 20 points behind following consecutive goals to the opposition. Tom Gribble reduced the deficit to 15 points with seven minutes left on the clock but that’s as close as Werribee got as the Bulldogs added two late goals to confine the Big W to a seventh loss of the season.

KEY PLAYERS
Ollie Hanrahan: 26 disposals (10 K), 4 marks, 10 handball receives, 4 clearances, 4 tackles.
Dom Brew: 25 disposals (11 K), 20 contested possessions, 3 marks (2 contested), 9 clearances, 15 tackles.
Tom Gribble: 23 disposals (11 K), 6 marks, 10 handball receives, 3 clearances,
Nick Coughlan: 21 disposals (16 K) at 86% efficiency, 8 marks (2 IM), 6 tackles, 5 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.
Jack Henderson: 19 disposals (11 K), 5 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 10 tackles. 
Lou Pinnuck: 18 disposals (12 K), 6 marks, 8 intercept possessions, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 4 score involvements rebound 50s.
Hudson Garoni: 12 disposals, 6 marks (2 CM), 8 score involvements, 5 goals.
Lucas Rocci: 11 disposals (9 K), 6 marks (2 IM), 5 rebound 50s.

NEXT MATCH
Round 20
Werribee vs Brisbane
Saturday August 6, 11:05am
Moreton Bay Sports Complex

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. 

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Joe Maishman – St Mary’s

Tallied 20 disposals with five clearances and five tackles in thrilling win over South Barwon. Had some pivotal moments in the last quarter as the Saints fought back from 20 points down at three-quarter time to claim victory by a point.

Matt Keast – St Mary’s

Also, a strong contributor in the win over the Swans with a consistent four quarter performance. Had 26 disposals, eight tackles and kicked a goal as St Mary’s moved to 14-1 on the year.

Gennaro Bove – Newtown & Chilwell (Local Player of the Week)

Had his best game of the season in trying conditions against St Albans. Collected 26 disposals, three tackles and a goal to be one of the best for the Eagles in a big win.

Sam Clohesy – St Joseph’s

Impacted by some hip soreness after quarter-time but still managed 15 disposals and four tackles in a 40-point victory over Grovedale.

Marty Brennan – Grovedale

Second best for the Tigers in their loss to St Joseph’s. Won his own ball and used it well in ordinary conditions. Also linked up well with his ruckman at stoppages. Had 24 disposals including six clearances and defended well when the opposition had possession.

Flynn Young – Grovedale

Found the going tough in his first outing in a month. Despite struggling with the conditions his work-rate couldn’t be questioned with five tackles the most notable feature of his game.

Logan Wagener – Leopold

Spent time in the midfield and as a high half-forward in a 32-point loss to Colac. Did some good things in both roles totallying 26 disposals and nine clearances.

Toby Mahoney – Bell Park

Started in the middle before moving on to the wing against North Shore. Had 14 disposals, four tackles and a goal in a 26-point triumph.

Sam Witherden – North Shore

Being a bigger body helped in heavy conditions as he gathering 25 disposals, with six clearances and five inside 50s. Was one of the best for the Seagulls for the fifth straight week.

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Paea - Aberfeldie

Played well in conditions that didn’t favour key forwards. Despite not pulling in as many marks as usual still contributed two goals and some good pressure as the Abers downed Glenroy by 96 points.

Reuben William – Airport West

Played two strong quarters on the wing before moving into the midfield later in the match. Bagged two goals and finished with 22 disposals and four tackles in a 79-point win over Tullamarine.    

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Harry Stubbings – Old Scotch

An encouraging performance doing a bit of everything in a 25-point loss to Collegians. Kicked two goals from his 18 disposals and laid 10 tackles.  

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jack Driscoll – Lavington

Played a big role in an important victory over Corowa Rutherglen. Tested his opponent running him around the ground and took some impressive pack marks. Finished with 17 disposals, 8 marks, 15 hit-outs and a goal to be one of the Panthers’ best.

Daniel Sharrock – Wangaratta Magpies

Led the way in the midfield against Albury and also played behind the ball at times where he got in some good spots as an extra. Tallied 27 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s and four tackles in a 40-point win.

Tom Boyd – Wangaratta Rovers

One of his quieter games this season for the Rovers with just nine disposals and four marks in a close loss to Myrtleford.

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Bior Malual - Seymour

Best on ground in a 33-point defeat of Kyabram with 30 disposals and nine marks. Played mostly on the wing with some stints on the ball in the each of the first three quarters. Also helped provide direction for Seymour’s younger players.

BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Brady Rowles – Eaglehawk

Had 19 disposals, nine marks and five tackles in an 84-point triumph over bottom placed Maryborough to remain fifth on the ladder.

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ariek Lual – Melton Centrals

Started at full forward but moved into the midfield where he was a class above offering plenty of run and carry. Also marked well overhead in slippery conditions to be amongst the best players in a 59-point win over Western Rams.

Werribee will begin the final leg of the home and away season with a return to Avalon Airport Oval to face Footscray on Saturday.

The two teams from the west and former alignment partners will play for the HealthWest Cup in the first meeting for premiership points since Round 7, 2019.

After losing late to Box Hill two weeks ago Werribee (8-6) will return from the bye ready to recapture its winning form and hopefully push back into the top eight.

Footscray were downed by league leaders Casey in Round 18 but enjoyed a strong month prior to last week’s loss and currently sit 13th on the ladder at 6-9.

TEAM NEWS

Werribee has made five changes for the Round 19 clash headlined by the return of Bior Malual and Keegan Gray. Also joining them are mature midfielder Marty Brennan and key position players Ariek Lual and Sam Paea.

Out of the side this week are several notable names with the majority of omissions forced due to injury and illness with Matt Hanson, Nick Hayes, Josh Porter, Jay Dahlhaus and Tom Boyd all making way.

MATCH DAY DETAILS

Gates will open at 12:30pm. Home members get in free while away members receive half-price entry. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults and $5 for concession. Kids under 16 free.

Visit match centre on afl.com.au

ROUND 19
Werribee vs Footscray
Saturday July 30, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee