WFNL: Yarraville Seddon move close to securing double chance

A rising Western Football Netball League young gun has been rewarded for strong local footy form with a VFL debut this weekend.

Will Kliszewski will make his VFL debut with Werribee. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

UPDATE: Yarraville Seddon’s week has got even better after it was confirmed young gun Will Kliszewski would make his VFL debut for Werribee.

The 19-year-old will slot into the reigning premiers side after an impressive run of form in the Western Football Netball League since returning from injury.

Kliszewski had joined Werribee as a train-on player in pre-season and will be one of two first gamers alongside Luke Preece.

“Wil is a developing tall,” Werribee football manager Kyle Hartigan said.

“He came down halfway through pre-season, and we’ve seen him develop and flourish, grow into his body, work into his frame, and he’s been playing some really good footy at Yarraville.

“He deserves to play at a higher level.”

EARLIER

Saturday was the perfect example of what Yarraville Seddon is all about in 2025 — contending and looking to the future.

The Eagles secured a 20-point win over Caroline Springs in the race to secure a top-three finish and the double chance.

And they did it while blooding three first gamers.

Pat Shrestha was one of the new faces, as a man who hadn’t played footy for a couple years, as he earned an opportunity after strong form in the reserves.

“He was one of those guys who just came in off the street looking to get back into footy,” Eagles coach Brad Julier said.

There were also debuts for Adam Williamson who played alongside his brother Ethan, who has been a senior regular the last couple of seasons.

Former Newport junior Josh Kingston earned his opportunity as the 23rd player.

“He’s super versatile and came in and played a role as another tall with Akol (Deng) out,” Julier said of Kingston.

“It was a really nice moment for the Williamson family to have the two boys play together. All of the guys were rewarded for some really strong form in the development team.

“We’re still a young side and we’re trying to get the kids in when we can. I call them the older kids, but some of those guys have 50 games now and they’re really building towards where we want to go.”

Yarraville Seddon finds itself in the middle of a massive fortnight where they will next take on ladder leader and premiership favourite Werribee Districts.

“They’ve been the benchmark for the last couple of years,” Julier said.

“We really set ourselves for these two games and to get the win against Caro who have troubled us in the past is a really good win for the confidence.

“We got close against Werribee last time and we’ll be looking to take another scalp.”

Inside Newport’s greatest ever win

Newport coach Ali Hamad describes Saturday’s win as the best in club history but it’s come as no surprise to him.

The Panthers stunned reigning WFNL Division 1 premier Hoppers Crossing 11.3 (69) to 7.21 (63) to secure their fourth win of the season.

It came just a week after a huge 137-point loss to ladder leader Werribee Districts and Hamad said his side had been building.

“We had been taking it week by week,” he said.

“This is a win the community will win for a very long time. Even at training on Tuesday night, the spirit and energy was up despite the loss.

“For us, it was about getting it all to come together which we thought it would on the weekend. We knew they’d getting scoring opportunities and it was just about making the most of our chances.”

One player who is enjoying a brilliant season for Newport is star midfielder Nayef Hamad who returned to the club after a stint with East Keilor.

He picked up 44 disposals and eight clearances in the win but it’s another area of his game which is impressing his coach the most.

“He’s really worked on his defensive game,” Hamad said.

“He’s the ultimate professional and loves the honesty and challenges the coaching staff provide him with. He had 19 rebound-50s on the weekend which shows how much growth he’s had in that area of his game.

“Always setting the standards for the rest of the group.”

Part of Newport’s arrival in Division 1 this season has been an opportunity to play for the future.

On Saturday, the senior side included 14 players under the age of 21 and two from the under-18s, Becker Abdou and Charles Francis.

“We’ve been on a journey since round 1 and we’re a completely different side since then,” Hamad said.

“That’s stylistically and personnel.”

The Panthers will next take on Spotswood as they eye a potential finals place.

KYRIAZIS FINDS HIS GOALKICKING BEST

Caroline Springs gun Steven Kyriazis might be a surprising name to some on the Division 1 goalkicking charts. He’s got 38 goals to sit third on the leaderboard. In the last two seasons he’s kicked 18 goals. But it’s not shock to see him hitting the scoreboard well after the former Western Jet kicked over 50 in 2022.

BIG GUNS FIRE AS SHARKS UNVEILED NEW FACE

Point Cook Centrals moved closed to climbing off the bottom of the ladder, picking up its second win of the season. The Sharks overcame Sunshine by 12 points as Mitch Palma was named best on ground. There was a special moment for Lucas Bugeja who kicked a goal on debut. He had crossed from St Bernard’s in the VAFA where he suffered a horror injury in round 1.

SERAFIN STARS ON MILESTONE

North Footscray forward Michael Serafin filled his boots with 10 goals as the Devils recorded a big win over Western Rams. It was an effort which took him to second in the goalkicking. North Footscray hosted its first Beyond Blue Mental Health match which was organised by Lee Spry. The Devils also wore a special guernsey to celebrate their 90th anniversary.

SUNS NEW FACE IMPRESSES

Brayden Schibeci is enjoying playing against Albanvale this season. He was best afield as the Suns recorded a 41-point win over the Cobras on the weekend. It’s the second time he’s been named in the best against them.