EDFNL: How Longwarry’s Jason Wells became local footy’s first centurion of 2025

After just 16 seconds Jason Wells was lining up to become local footy’s first 100-goal kicker of the season, and he’s raised $50,000 for a good cause in the process. Watch the milestone moment.

16 seconds was all it took, and Jason Wells was lining up to slot his 100th goal of the season for Longwarry.

The Crows faithful had turned out in droves to see the occasion, with cars three rows deep behind the goals at Longwarry Recreation Reserve.

Wells didn’t disappoint. He started in the goalsquare and lost his man with his quick feet to mark the first clearance of the match with ease, before kicking truly from close range.

He took off in celebration and was immediately swarmed from all directions by punters keen to celebrate local footy’s first 100-goal kicker of 2025.

One long-time Longwarry fan had proudly boasted in the rooms pre-match he was here to see his fourth 100-goal kicker for the Crows. Not since Ryan Donaldson’s astounding 162-goal season (including finals) in 2007 had the feat been achieved at the club.

Longwarry Crows Seniors player Jason Wells kicking his 100th goal. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

Jason Wells celebrates his 100th goal. Picture: Andrew Batsch

He’s off! Picture: Andrew Batsch

Intent on celebrating the occasion in front of his home fans, Wells had taken himself off after kicking four majors the week prior to leave his season tally on 99 heading into Saturday’s clash against the Catani Blues.

Catani defender Brodie White was handed the mighty task of containing Wells. “Good luck number 8, you’re f*****”, was one heckler’s sage advice to him before the first bounce. Wells would finish the day with 108 majors for the season after adding nine more as Longwarry cruised to a commanding 22.13 (145) to 7.4 (46) victory.

Wells’ dad, Bernie, summed up the moment he watched his son kick his 100th goal of the season simply: “It was awesome”.

Jason Wells celebrates with team mates and fans who ran on to the ground. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The achievement — completed with five home and away rounds still to spare — had been a long-time coming for Wells, who finished last season with 91 goals but was swamped in similar fashion when he kicked his 1000th career goal. “The umpires weren’t aware of it and they thought everyone was running on there to bash him!” laughed Longwarry president Annie van der Heyden of the 2024 milestone.

Fortunately, the umpires had plenty of notice this time around and were beaming from ear to ear as they took in the spectacle.

Wells isn’t your typical imposing country footy full forward, rather a fleet-footed and crafty player who can lose his opponent quicker than you can blink.

“Normally they put a big tall fella on him, Jason’s strengths are his leads and his marks,” reflected Bernie of the opposition’s typical downfall when trying to contain his son.

Bernie Wells, a former Longwarry player and coach himself, was beaming with pride after his son Jason kicked his 100th goal of the season. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

Longwarry playing-coach Darren Granger described the man of the hour as a “freak”.

“He’s pretty uncanny, you don’t know what he’s going to do, he’s good in the air, good on the ground,” Granger said.

“It’s not everyday your teammate gets to kick 100 goals, it’s pretty special, small community, big in heart.”

Wells’ contributions to the community extend far beyond kicking goals and giving punters a reason to rush the footy field however.

Jason Wells celebrates with his father Bernie and other family. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

He’s an ambassador for Drouin-based mental health organisation Mindfull Aus, and has raised around $50,000 to date by kicking goals.

“I’ve been doing it for about six years, it came from trying to find an idea to support something that I battled with closely as well,” said Wells, who also dons a special Mindfull Aus warm-up shirt before every game to raise awareness.

“This first thing that came up was kicking goals and reaching out to businesses to donate a certain amount per goal.

“Football clubs need stuff like that, it’s something that gets swept under the rug quite easily. I think we need to shine a light on that and have people feel open to talk about it.”

Longwarry's Jason Wells wearing his Mindfull Aus warm-up shirt pre-match.

As for the money he’s raised? “It’s something I don’t think about too much, it’s something I’ll celebrate when my career’s over,” Wells added.

Wells had first played for Longwarry as a junior back in 2004, and after stints at Kilcunda Bass – where he enjoyed three senior premierships between 2011 and 2013 – Nilma Darnum, Warragul Industrials and Koo Wee Rup, he returned to where it all began last season.

Ever humble, Wells said the 100-goal feat was “definitely not something you play footy for”.

“But when you enjoy your footy at a good club, it tells in the way you play football,” he had said before the game.

“I can’t wait to get it out of the way and celebrate with all the supporters and people behind me.”

The Wells clan came from far and wide to honour the occasion, with uncles and cousins of the 100-goal man flying down from Queensland to be there.

“I had the chance to do it last week but I was always going to do it here at the home club,” Wells said.

“It’s good for them and good for country footy.”