Werribee extended their winning streak to seven with a 14-point victory over Sydney, to remain at the top of the VFL ladder.

At Tramway Oval in Sydney on Sunday in trying conditions, Werribee made it three wins from three interstate trips for the 2024 season, defeating the Swans 5.15.45 to 9.5.59. 

In rainy conditions and a strong wind advantage Werribee got off to a fast start with Angus Hicks, for the third time this season, kicking the first goal of the game with a left foot snap. That was followed shortly after by a well converted Zac Banch set shot to take a 12-point lead halfway through the first quarter. After a scrappy 15-minute spell where both teams struggled to score, Sydney managed to kick their first goal just before quarter time, narrowing the margin to six points heading into the first break. 

Jack Henderson found plenty of the ball in the first term, with nine disposals and four clearances, while Dom Brew was Dom Brew with six disposals and four tackles.  

The second quarter mirrored the first in its scrappiness. Sydney failed to capitalise on the wind advantage kicking only the four behinds. Despite losing the inside 50 battle 15-6 for the quarter, Werribee was able to kick the sole goal for the term, with Zac Banch converting truly for his second goal of the game. This saw Werribee take an eight point lead into half-time. 

Werribee’s defenders were showing the way at the main break. Louis Pinnuck was the leading possession winner on the field, with 16 disposals and six marks.Nick Coughlan in his first game since Round 4 hadn’t missed a beat gathering 14 disposals in the first half.

Werribee dominated the third quarter kicking five goals to none. Hudson Garoni opened the quarter with back-to-back goals which continued his streak of kicking a goal in each game this year. To go with his two goals, Garoni also gathered a season-high 19 disposals and took nine marks, enjoying a strong afternoon despite the conditions.

After being awarded a 50 metre penalty Jesse Clark converted from 30 metres out forWerribee’s third goal of the quarter and the first goal of his VFL career. Since joining the club in 2020 and making his debut in 2021, Clark had played 41 games before finally notching this first goal in his 42nd game.

Following Clark’s goal, Kobe Annand, who played the majority of the game forward alongside fellow ruckman Sam Conway won a free kick inside 50 and kicked truly for his second goal of the season. Jack Riding then caught Sydney’s Indhi Kirk holding the ball and converted the set shot after the siren to take a 38-point lead into three-quarter time. 

With the wind advantage in the last quarter Sydney kicked the first three goals, however, Zac Banch found the big sticks, for a career high third goal, which proved crucial in slowing down Sydney's momentum. Banch also had 10 disposals and four tackles to go with his three goals in what was the small forward’s best game since signing for Werribee for the 2024 season.

It was a hotly contested final ten minutes with Sydney kicking a late goal but Werribee held on for a 14-point victory away from home.

Dom Brew ended the day as the leading disposal getter on the field, with 27 disposals, to go with 16 tackles and nine clearances. Louis Pinnuck also collected 27 disposals, with the in-form defender adding another ten marks to his tally, the fifth most in the VFL. 

Fellow defenders Jaelen Pavlidis,17 disposals and nine marks, and Nathan Cooper were named in the best. Riley Bice, 25 disposals, ten rebound 50s and seven marks, and Nick Coughlan, 22 disposals, eight rebound 50s and five marks, also offered plenty of run and carry off the back line. 

Werribee extended their winning streak to six with a 20-point victory over rivals Williamstown at home.

On Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval Werribee overcame a 10-point deficit at three-quarter time to deliver a dominant six-goal-to-one final quarter and secure a 12.11.83 to 9.9.63 win.

It was a memorable day as the club celebrated Diversity Day and competed for the John Pyne Memorial Trophy.

John Pyne made a significant 14-year contribution to Werribee, starting as a player in 1975/76, then coaching from 1977 to 1980, and serving as Secretary (1982-1985) and Vice President (1986-1989), contributing until his passing in 1989. Members of the Pyne family presented Dom Brew with the trophy after the match.

The team donned a special diversity guernsey designed by local South Sudanese artist John Mathet. Avalon Airport Oval was decked out with flags of the world and international food trucks to mark the occasion.  

Williamstown fired the first shot of the match nine minutes into the game and it was goal for goal for the quarter from there. Werribee’s two leading goal kickers Hudson Garoni and Jay Dahlhaus both hit the scoreboard in the first term but Williamstown took a five point lead into the first break.

Dom Brew was leading the way with nine disposals and four clearances. 

Half-back Louis Pinnuck continued his goal kicking form of 2024 with one from beyond the 50 metre arc to kick off the second quarter. The long range goal was Pinnuck’s third of the last five weeks and fourth for the season. 

Williamstown were on top for the majority of the second quarter kicking the next three goals while Werribee missed several key opportunities. Jack Riding calmly converted a set shot from 40 metres out to halt Williamstown’s momentum and reduce the half-time margin to nine points. Riding had 13 first-half disposals and four tackles to go with his goal.

Williamstown through Blake Coleman kicked the first goal of the third quarter then for 17 minutes neither side was able to find the big sticks. Flynn Young and Aidan Johnson broke the deadlock with their first goals of the day, narrowing the margin to less than a goal. Williamstown went into the last quarter holding a ten point lead.  

Werribee came hard out of the blocks in the last quarter kicking three goals in the space of six minutes and ultimately going on a six goal unanswered run. Cooper Whyte started the run converting a set shot and in his best game for the club ended with 18 disposals, five marks to go with his goal. The in-form Jack Riding kicked his second set shot finishing the day with 26 disposals, seven marks, five clearances and had five shots on goal. Zac Banch kicked his first goal to extend the lead to more than one straight kick. Flynn Young booted his second courtesy of some quick hands from Jay Dahlhaus. Jack Henderson snapped a goal to make it six goals in the midfielder’s past month of football.

Daly Andrews then kicked our sixth goal of the quarter to seal the game against his former side with the final margin  20 points. 

Dom Brew, once again, was the leading possession getter for Werribee, finishing with 27 disposals to go with 11 clearances.

Defenders Jesse Clark and Nathan Cooper were outstanding. After gathering a career-high 21 disposals and 14 marks last game against Frankston, Clark bettered that  finishing with 26 disposals and 14 marks.