The Werribee Football Club answered a call to help VFL rivals field sides over the weekend after AFL clubs from Sydney and Queensland were forced to relocate to Victoria due to COVID outbreaks and travel restrictions.

With the Swans, Giants, Lions and Suns not having access to their usual pool of top-up players, a loan system was introduced and with Werribee having a bye several Big W players took up the opportunity to run out for a couple of opposition clubs in round 13.

Aiden Domic, Archi Manton and Logan Wagener all suited up for the Gold Coast on Saturday before Tom Body, Darcy Chirgwin, Nathan Cooper and Tylar Watts joined Sydney on Sunday.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said all seven players jumped at the chance to gain match time at VFL level.

“The boys enjoyed the opportunity and all thought it was really good to play with AFL-listed players and personally just see where they are at from a VFL perspective,” he said.

“It also offered us as coaches and match committee members a chance to gain some good insights. We had football staff at both games and we also received really good feedback from both Sydney and the Gold Coast on how the boys performed.”

Despite Gold Coast being well-beaten at Box Hill the trio of Domic, Manton and Wagener all made contributions with Wagener named among the best for the Suns.

“Logan Wagener played as an inside-mid for Gold Coast and displayed his ability to win the ball and his in and under capabilities,” Micallef said.

“Archi Manton played up forward and was able to take some strong marks on the lead while Aiden Domic played on a wing, lining up on AFL-listed talent which was really good exposure and development for him.”

The four who played with Sydney did so on familiar soil with the match between the Swans and Frankston taking place at Werribee with the Dolphins victorious by 28 points.

“For Sydney, Tylar Watts played in the ruck and as a key forward, he competed extremely well, not only in the air as he displayed some good movement at ground level too and also kicked a nice goal,” Micallef said.

“Darcy Chirgwin played as a high half-forward and looked to push up into the midfield. He showed really good work rate and the ability to get it on the outside being involved in a quite a few chains of play.

“Nathan Cooper played his usual role as a key defender where his ability to shut-down his direct opponent was a highlight, and Tom Boyd played as a third tall defender where his intercept ability and athleticism at ground level were features of his game.”

The Werribee Football Club has filled one if its available list spots signing talented forward Aidan Johson from Lavington Panthers in the Ovens and Murray Football League.

Johnson is a premiership teammate of Shaun Mannagh who has starred for Werribee this season.  The pair played together in Lavington’s 2019 premiership triumph with Johnson bagging 53 goals in his first season in the strong Ovens and Murray competition – the third best haul in the league.

A key forward who stands at 192cm and 97kg, Johnson is also capable of pinch hitting in the ruck.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was fantastic to add Johnson to the squad with the 21-year-old on the club's radar since last year.

“We’re delighted to welcome Aidan Johnson to the club,” Micallef said.

“Aidan is a big key forward/ruckman who has got really good hands and a natural eye for goal.  “He’s someone we’ve kept close tabs on for the past 18 months with our recruiting team doing a great job of identifying Aidan.

“He’s recently relocated to Melbourne and we’re looking forward to him putting his best foot forward for the reminder of the 2021 season.”

Werribee entered the season with one free list spot and could now look to add another signature before the current campaign is out after a second opening became available when Kye Declase was taken by Melbourne in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft at the end of May.

Johnson will wear the number 25, a guernsey previously worn by Dane McFarlane who played 66 games for Werribee from 2016-2019.

Werribee had 17 squad members play locally over the past weekend and there were a couple of dominant displays by some of our forwards while several players performed well in their return to the field.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Archi Manton and Dan Nielson both continue to star in the Western Region Football League with both players kicking bags to propel their respective sides to victory on the weekend.

Manton kicked a season-best five goals and had 13 marks to propel Yarraville Seddon to a come from behind victory over Caroline Springs. Down 28 points at three-quarter time the Eagles came home with wet sail booting six goals to one in final term to triumph by two points. Manton struggled in front of goal early but kicked four straight in the second half to earn best on ground honours.

James Edmonds was another key catalyst for Yarraville Seddon, and he too got better as the game went on with his run and carry and ability to break the lines crucial in his team’s fightback. Edmonds finished as one of the Eagles’ best while Liam Holtz Fitz played his part, working well with Manton in attack as well as displaying an improved work rate which allowed him to find more ball.

Manton wasn’t the only player to tally a season-high in front of goal with Dan Nielson booting six majors in a best on ground performance to lead Werribee and Districts to a comfortable victory over Point Cook for their third straight win. Nielson’s set shot goal kicking and marking again stood out.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The Round 11 matchup between St Mary’s and Geelong West saw four Werribee-listed players in action however only one of those finished on the winning side.  Max Augerinos’s St Mary’s came out on top in a thriller as the Saints defeated the Giants by five points at Athony Costa Oval. Augerinos stepped up late kicking a crucial goal to put St Mary’s ahead and would eventually finish with 26 possessions and five tackles.

For Geelong West, Emmanuel Ajang was again among the team’s main contributors. While Ajang wasn’t as prominent as recent weeks his tackle pressure was enormous laying nine for the match. Phillip Moi Moi showed more positive signs at half forward and with the occasional burst through the midfield. He finished with a goal and also had a late opportunity to put Geelong West in front but wasn’t able to convert.

Meanwhile, Lachie Taylor was one of the best early in the match gathering 16 disposals in the first half. Taylor slowed in the second half but his overall game was solid providing strong offensive run and good defensive support.

Darcy Chirgwin made a successful return from injury for St Mary’s in the reserves in a 90-pojnt win over Geelong West. Chirgwin kicked the first three goals of the match and despite only playing the opening 10 minutes of every quarter finished with five goals and as the best player on the ground.

In his second game back Aiden Domic helped Bell Park to a 33-point win over Lara and a place back in the top six. Domic was best-on for the Dragons gathering 28 possessions. He marked one of the opposition’s best players at stoppages but was the more damaging of the two with nine clearances

BELLARINE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Logan Wagener suited up for Newcomb for the first time in more than a month. Unfortunately, it was a losing return with the Power falling to Modewarre by seven goals. Wagener had a solid outing linking up well with the midfield from defence and was clean with his disposal in tough conditions.

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Darcy Bennett’s ruck dominance continued for Fitzroy, but the Roys were no match for Old Haileyburians going down by 44 points. Bennett was among best players once more after another big day in the ruck while impressing with his attack on the footy at ground level and crashing packs.

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Seymour remained unbeaten in the Goulburn Valley FL with Ariek Lual performing well in their victory over Mansfield. Lual was strong defensively and opened the game up offensively a few times.

Tom Boyd helped Shepparton secure a thrilling win over Mooroopna after they trailed by eight points at the last change. Boyd tallied a number of intercept marks as well as providing good support to his fellow defenders.

OVENS & MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New recruit Aidan Johnson was impacted by a pectoral muscle suffered in the first half of Lavington’s clash with Wangaratta Magpies. The key forward played three quarters before sitting out the last and finished with one goal while also spending some time at centre bounces in the ruck.

BALLARAT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Werribee’s two players in the Ballarat Football League were both on the wrong side of hefty defeats with Ryan Pendlebury’s Melton South losing by 75 points and Matt Brett’s Darley going down by 88.

Brett was one of Darley’s best in the loss to East Point playing mainly in defence. The Devils were under pressure a lot of the day however Brett was strong in the air and with ball in hand.

Pendlebury played in all three areas on the ground against Ballarat. After starting down back before moving into the midfield and eventually forward where he looked dangerous at times.