Daniel Riosa makes surprise return as Hoppers end Districts’ unbeaten run

Hoppers Crossing rediscovered its best to end Werribee Districts unbeaten streak in season 2025 as a former favourite made a surprise return in an influential performance. Plus, why the premiers will get stronger.

Liam McMahon in action for Hoppers Crossing. Picture: Local Legends Photography

Hoppers Crossing coach Jared Polec describes his side’s forward line versatility as a “lesser known strength”.

The unpredictable nature of the Warriors’ front six was there for all to see on Saturday as they produced a WFNL Division 1 premiership statement with a 49-point win over Werribee Districts to end the ladder leaders perfect season.

Polec’s side booted 11.20 from 31 scoring shots as Districts conceded their second highest score of the season.

With last year’s grand final hero, Harry Maguire spending most of the season with Werribee VFL, the Warriors have had to great creative with Ryan Kitchen currently his side’s leading goalkicker with 38.

Gun midfielder Josh Pickess is next best with 28.

“A few too many behinds but we were really able to get our game going in the forward half and generate turnovers,” Polec said.

“Having multiple goalkickers has been a bit of a lesser known strength of ours but something we’ve really embraced.”

After the biggest win of their season so far, the next challenge for Hoppers is to put a big final month of the season together.

“It’s been an inconsistent year for us,” Polec said.

“Our good footy has been really good but our bad footy has been average. It was a good four quarter effort.

“We’ve really started to put some games together, even against Caroline Springs even though we lost, we’re starting to play more of the way we want to.”

Daniel Riosa (left) is back at Portarlington. Picture: Mark Wilson

Among the goalkickers on the weekend was Daniel Riosa who returned to the club before the clearance deadline.

Riosa, who last played for the Warriors in 2022, had spent the last year-and-a-half with Portarlington in the Bellarine league.

He was swung forward against Districts with Polec applauding his performance.

Riosa played a season with Werribee in 2011 when they were still in the VAFA.

“He’s such a good leader out there with the direction he gives his teammates,” Polec said.
“He bleeds blue and white. It’s probably forgotten how young our list is this year and to have someone of his experience in and around the group is big for us.

“He’s not the fastest guy but he always knows how to put himself in the right positions. He kicked 1.4 so it could have been a big day.”

Hoppers will be boosted by some important names in coming weeks including Chase Guy, Corey Muscat, Klyde Milroy and Jason Pongracic.

“We’ve used 41 players in the senior side this year, the depth has been tested,” Polec said.

“We’ll get those guys in and they will help us to get more speed on the ball.”

POINT COOK OWN THE TOWN

Point Cook claimed a superb 84-point win over local rivals Point Cook Centrals in arguably its most impressive performance of the season. Zayne Galea who joined the club at the start of the year produced arguably his best performance with three goals to be named among the best. Heath Schiavello, Tyler Kolyniuk and Cameron Kizan were also impressive.

THE TON IS IN SIGHT

Lewis Stanton is now just four goals away from reaching triple figures. The Wyndhamvale gun booted eight goals in his side’s 71-point win over Tarneit who continue to show improvement. Stanton joined the Falcons this year from Yarraville Seddon.

HEIGHTS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Sunshine Heights sits just outside of the Division 2 top-five on percentage after picking up a 51-point win over Laverton. Jackson Viola filled his boots with seven goals while Elliot Rosado was named best afield.