The last time Werribee Centrals won a premiership, they weren't unbeaten after 10 rounds.
In fact, none of the four premiership teams that built the club's modern dynasty were unbeaten after 10 rounds.
Yet the 2026 Centurions head into this weekend's clash against Geelong West at 9-0, giving them the opportunity to achieve something none of those flag-winning sides managed.
Forward target Brandon Houlihan will return as the Centurions attempt to start a season 10-0 for the first time since 2010.
Here is how the side looks compared to their past four premiership winning seasons.
2026
RECORD SO FAR: 9-0
Rd 1: def Winchelsea 12.13 (85) to 9.12 (66) (+19)
Rd 2: def Bannockburn 10.15 (75) to 11.7 (73) (+2)
Rd 3: def Bell Post Hill 11.18 (84) to 7.10 (52) (+32)
Rd 4: def Thomson 11.12 (78) to 8.10 (58) (+20)
Rd 5: def Belmont Lions 22.15 (147) to 8.10 (58) (+89)
Rd 6: def North Geelong 12.14 (86) to 11.9 (75) (+11)
Rd 7: def East Geelong 14.9 (93) to 11.8 (74) (+19)
Rd 8: def Inverleigh 14.18 (102) to 8.11 (59) (+43)
Rd 9: def Corio 21.11 (137) to 11.7 (73) (+64)
Captain – Michael Culliver
Coach – Rhyce Prismall
Biggest win - Rd 5: def Belmont Lions 22.15 (147) to 8.10 (58)
Worst result - Rd 2: def Bannockburn 10.15 (75) to 11.7 (73)
PLAYER TO WATCH – Tate Camilleri. He helped guide Paul Lynch’s line-up to a 106-point Interleague win against Colac DFNL and is in the box seat to win the 2026 Routleys Mark of the Year following his hangar against North Geelong in Round 6.
1999
RECORD AFTER ROUND 10: 8-2
Rd 1: def Belmont Lions 24.16 (160) to 13.6 (84) (+76)
Rd 2: def Geelong West 29.17 (191) to 8.10 (58) (+133)
Rd 3: def Bannockburn 19.14 (128) to 6.16 (52) (+76)
Rd 4: def North Geelong 27.15 (177) to 5.10 (40) (+137)
Rd 5: def Thomson 12.24 (96) to 9.13 (67) (+29)
Rd 6: def East Suburbs 15.15 (105) to 8.12 (60) (+45)
Rd 7: def Anakie 18.12 (120) to 10.8 (68) (+52)
Rd 8: lost to Bell Post Hill 9.4 (58) to 9.6 (60) (-2)
Rd 9: lost to Corio 11.20 (86) to 15.14 (104) (-18)
Rd 10: def Belmont Lions 20.16 (136) to 11.9 (75) (+61)
Coach: Andrew Howlett (former Williamstown VFL)
Captain: Shaun Stewart
Biggest Win: Rd 4 v North Geelong (+137)
Worst Result: Rd 9 v Corio (-18)
How the season went –
Werribee Centrals looked destined for heartbreak when Whitley medallist Barry Delaney suffered a career-ending injury against Eastern Suburbs after the club's 5-0 start.
However the Centurions fought back.
After a semi-final loss to Bannockburn and a preliminary final win against Bell Post Hill, Werribee Centrals celebrated a memorable 12.13 (85) to 9.11 (65) grand final win over the Tigers.
A fortnight after pipping teammate Shaun Stewart by a single vote, first year recruit Jason Fastuca received the VCFL medal for best on ground in the grand final while commentators Jason Doherty, Laurie De Goldi and Eric Nicholls selected Adrian Brunato.
Watch here - GF Werribee Centrals v Bannockburn 4th Qtr + Cel 11 9 99 - YouTube
2000
RECORD AFTER ROUND 10: 9-1
Rd 1: def East Geelong 15.15 (105) to 9.11 (65) (+40)
Rd 2: def Bannockburn 18.21 (129) to 12.11 (83) (+46)
Rd 3: lost to Bell Post Hill 16.13 (109) to 19.20 (134) (-25)
Rd 4: def Belmont Lions 16.11 (107) to 9.9 (63) (+44)
Rd 5: def Anakie 28.23 (191) to 6.4 (40) (+151)
Rd 6: def Geelong West 20.19 (139) to 6.12 (48) (+91)
Rd 7: def North Geelong 15.11 (101) to 7.13 (55) (+46)
Rd 8: def Corio 18.4 (112) to 13.10 (88) (+24)
Rd 9: def Belmont Lions 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) (+17)
Rd 10: def Geelong West 14.9 (93) to 6.6 (42) (+51)
Coach: Andrew Howlett (former Williamstown VFL)
Captain: Matt Hallam
Biggest Win: Rd 5 v Anakie (+151)
Worst Result: Rd 3 v Bell Post Hill (-25)
How the season went –
Legend has it that reigning Whitley medallist Jason Fastuca was not going to feature in season 2000 after his foot was crushed in an offield accident.
This meant the likes of Shaun Stewart, Chris Delaney and Luke Luttick continued to step up to give the Centurions a 9-1 start.
For the second straight year Bannockburn dismantled the Centurions in the second semi final 18.10 (118) to 10.6 (66). Perhaps this was because 1999 grand final hero Warren Foley was suspended?
The Centurions made history the next week when scoring 30.10 (190) to 9.14 (68) in their preliminary final win over Thomson. Eventual best and fairest Heath Buck stepped up to the plate with seven goals.
Once again, the premiership cup returned up the highway as Howlett’s line-up stormed home to capture a 13.10 (88) to 11.9 (75) grand final win.
The grand final was held earlier than usual on August 27 due to the upcoming Sydney Olympic Games.
Watch here - GF Bannockburn v Werribee Centrals 4th Qtr 27 8 00
2001
RECORD AFTER ROUND 10: 8-2
Rd 1: lost to Corio 16.14 (110) to 14.14 (98) (-12)
Rd 2: def East Geelong 8.9 (57) to 4.16 (40) (+13)
Rd 3: def Belmont Lions 21.13 (139) to 13.8 (86) (53)
Rd 4: def Geelong West 14.11 (95) to 14.9 (93) (+2)
Rd 5: def North Geelong 19.16 (130) to 16.13 (109) (+21)
Rd 6: def Bell Post Hill 17.9 (111) to 11.13 (79) (+32)
Rd 7: def Thomson 24.14 (158) to 11.8 (74) (+84)
Rd 8: lost to Bannockburn 17.12 (114) to 16.10 (106) (-8)
Rd 9: def Anakie 17.8 (110) to 12.9 (81) (+29)
Rd 10: def Corio 18.12 (120) to 14.6 (90) (+30)
Coach: Andrew Howlett (former Williamstown VFL)
Captain: Heath Buck
Biggest Win: Rd 7 v Thomson (+84)
Worst Result: Rd 1 v Corio (-12)
How the season went –
Many predicted Werribee Centrals would fall short of the premiership, with Corio and undefeated Bannockburn considered the competition benchmarks.
After a narrow qualifying final loss to Corio, the Centurions made a third straight grand final thanks to wins over Thomson and Corio.
They then handed Bannockburn a third straight grand final loss, the Tigers’ first and only defeat for the year.
Final scores Werribee Centrals 19.7 (121) to Bannockburn 7.14 (56)….
Could anyone stop the Centurions in the new millennium?
Watch here - GF Bannockburn v Werribee Centrals 4th Qtr + Cels 15 9 01 - YouTube
2004
RECORD AFTER ROUND 10: 9-1
Rd 1: def Winchelsea 21.2 (128) to 15.10 (100) (+28)
Rd 2: def Bannockburn 19.15 (129) to 5.5 (35) (+94)
Rd 3: def North Geelong 18.21 (129) to 10.10 (70) (+59)
Rd 4: lost to Thomson 16.15 (111) to 12.11 (83) (-28)
Rd 5: def Belmont Lions 37.19 (241) to 7.5 (47) (+194)
Rd 6: def Bell Post Hill 24.15 (159) to 9.14 (68) (+91)
Rd 7: def East Geelong 22.22 (154) to 12.7 (79) (+75)
Rd 8: def Inverleigh 31.17 (203) to 7.3 (45) (+158)
Rd 9: def Corio 24.16 (160) to 17.13 (115) (+45)
Rd 10: def Geelong West 24.23 (167) to 5.4 (34) (+133)
Coach: Chris Gilham (former Werribee VFL)
Captain: Jason Fastuca
Biggest Win: Rd 5 v Belmont Lions (+194)
Worst Result: Rd 4 v Thomson (-28)
How the season went –
Of the four premiership teams, the 2004 Centurions were arguably the most devastating attacking side.
By Round 10 they had recorded wins of 94, 194, 91, 75, 158 and 133 points.
The numbers were extraordinary.
Then, come grand final day – A DRAW!
After a wet weather draw against Corio, the Centurions returned the following week with a 10-goal opening term to secure a 21.9 (135) to 8.9 (57) win in the replay.
2004 Whitley medallist and premiership captain Jason Fastuca credited the entire season to his coach Chris Gilham.
Watch here - GDFL Grand Final Replay Werribee Centrals v Corio 4th Qtr + Cels 19 904 - YouTube
Twenty-two years later, the 2026 Centurions have given themselves the opportunity to join that list of premiership sides. The first challenge is a Geelong West line-up known to catch top sides off guard. The reward is a place in club history as the first Werribee Centrals team since 2010 to begin a season 10-0.
