In their third practice match of the pre-season, Werribee fell to Williamstown on Friday night at Deakin University.

After trailing by 21 points at the main break, the young Werribee side went down 1.2 (8) to 10.16 (76). The squad featured 27 players, including 22 new faces for the 2025 season, as Werribee continues to rotate its list leading up to Round 1.

The game saw the return of Dom Brew in The Big W for his first hit-out since training with the Western Bulldogs over the pre-season.

Premiership player Harry Grintell also returned and recruit Jake Lohmann, who brings VFL experience, pulled on the Werribee jumper for the first time.

Werribee and Williamstown were level at quarter-time with one goal each, as new recruit Cam Wild from Port Melbourne, pounced on a loose ball to finish truly for Werribee’s first-quarter goal.

Werribee’s defence held up well in the first half, restricting Williamstown to just three goals. Ryan Eyers, who has impressed throughout the pre-season since joining from Geelong, was a standout down back before being rested for the second half.

More rotations came after half-time, but Williamstown broke away with a seven-goal second half.

Senior coach Jimmy Allan praised the young side, bringing out positives from the day despite the margin, “Despite the scoreline, there is no doubt that it was a positive night for the footy club. We were able to expose 22 players who are new into our program to VFL and the experience they gained from testing themselves against a really strong Williamstown outfit is invaluable.”

Allan added, “The majority of our senior regulars who had the week off, will play this week and they can’t wait to crack in on Saturday.”

Werribee now turns its attention to the final practice match against Footscray at Whitten Oval on Saturday, with the Smithy’s VFL season just 12 days away.

MATCH GALLERY – VIEW HERE

Next Match – Practice Match 4
Werribee vs Footscray
Saturday March 15, 3:00PM
Whitten Oval, Footscray

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Jesse Clark has been appointed captain of the reigning Premiers for season 2025.

Entering his sixth season at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, 24-year-old Clark has served his leadership apprenticeship under some of the club’s finest leaders and comes to the role with strong support on and off the field.

Clark will have the vastly experienced pair of Dom Brew (vice-captain) and Louis Pinnuck (deputy vice-captain) beside him, plus Angus Hicks and Jay Dahlhaus in the main leadership group.

Senior coach Jimmy Allan sees Clark’s appointment as a natural progression.

"Jesse ticks every box on the leadership checklist. He is a team first player, who is calm under pressure, and has a way of connecting with all club stakeholders. Most importantly, he can be trusted to do his job.”

“We are in a fortunate position that Jesse will receive fantastic support from Dom, Louis, Angus and Jay, who have all developed into terrific leaders in their own right.”

Club President Martin Carter said the Board 100% approved the appointment and acknowledged the rich position the club finds itself in.

“Jesse, Dom and Louis would be great captains at any club in this competition, such are their talents. Their commitment, selflessness and vision will unite the club for the challenges of 2025.”       

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Werribee is set to play their third practice match in preparation for the 2025 VFL season, with a trip south to Geelong this Friday night.

Following a 33-point victory over the Northern Bullants at Mars Stadium last weekend, Werribee will look to build momentum and make it two in a row when they take on Williamstown on Friday.

The match will be held at Deakin University in Geelong, featuring four 25-minute quarters with no time-on. The first bounce is scheduled for 6:30pm.

With four practice matches in the lead-up to the Smithy’s VFL season, Werribee will continue rotating its squad after fielding 26 players last week, ensuring valuable minutes for all in preparation for the season ahead.

Williamstown will also play its third practice match in as many weeks, following wins over the Northern Bullants and then Coburg in the VFL standalone carnival.

PRACTICE MATCH 3
Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday March 7, 6:30pm
Deakin Geelong Stadium, Geelong

See Werribee's 27-man squad for Friday's third practice match below.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Werribee secured its first win of 2025, defeating the Northern Bullants in the VFL Standalone Carnival at Ballarat.

In the club’s second practice match Werribee faced the Bullants at Mars Stadium. After a tightly contested first half, Werribee pulled away to claim a 33-point victory, 14.6 (90) to 8.9 (57).

Following last week's hitout against the Dolphins, where over 35 players rotated through, this match provided a better opportunity for a full four-quarter effort, with 26 players taking the field.

The Bullants started strongly, but Werribee quickly steadied. Zac Banch, in his first game of the pre-season, showed courage to earn a 50-metre penalty and converted for Werribee’s opening goal. Soon after, Harry Maguire continued his strong form, slotting another first-quarter set shot.

The second quarter was an arm wrestle with the Bullants holding a one-point lead at halftime in a low-scoring contest.

The usual suspects up forward hit the scoreboard in the second term, with Hudson Garoni marking inside 50 to convert a set shot, while Flynn Young finished off a passage of play he started on the wing late in the term.

The match also marked the return of Tylar Watts in Werribee colours. In his first game back after six years, Watts impressed while rotating in the ruck with Sam Conway.

Werribee lifted in the second half, with 20-year-old Darley recruit Brady Wright emerging as a standout. The young tall took several contested marks and finished with two goals by the final break.

At three-quarter time, Werribee had stretched its lead to two goals, with Young slotting his second major and Maguire adding another set shot.

A dominant five-goal final quarter sealed a comfortable 33-point win. Jack Riding, playing through the midfield on his local home ground at Mars Stadium, capped off a strong performance with two last-quarter goals, including a 45-metre strike after the siren.

The midfield continued to hit the scoreboard, with Jake Smith slotting a final-quarter goal and North Warrnambool recruit Jackson Grundy converting a set shot for his first in Werribee colours.

Harry Maguire continues to be a highlight for Werribee this pre-season, adding two more goals in the final term to finish with four for the day and six for the pre-season so far.

Werribee now looks ahead to its final two practice matches before the Grand Final rematch against Southport in Round 1. Next up is Williamstown in six days, followed by Footscray in the last pre-season hitout.

FINAL SCORE:
Werribee: 2.0 4.3 8.6 14.6 (90)
Northern Bullants: 3.3 4.4 6.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS:
Werribee: H. Maguire (4), J. Riding (2), B. Wright (2), F. Young (2), Z. Banch, H. Garoni, J. Grundy, J. Smith

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.