Werribee chief executive officer Mark Penaluna has been awarded Life Membership of the VFL. 

Penaluna received the honour for ‘special service to the VFL or to football in general’ during the competition’s 2021 Awards Ceremony on Thursday night.  

A renowned football administrator for over 25 years, Penaluna’s time in the VFL landscape began in October 2003 when he took on the General Manager position at the Werribee Football Club. 

He is currently the longest-serving CEO of a VFL club, and even after the events of the past 18 months, the man affectionately known as Pena, continues to work tirelessly to ensure the sustained success of his 57-year-old club, while continuing to advocate for the VFL and Australian Rules football. 

Penaluna has compiled a significant list of achievements in his 18 years of administration at VFL level. 

His most recent feat was playing an instrumental role in securing $975,000 in funding for VFL clubs this year, to assist with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Other milestones under Penaluna’s leadership include Werribee being the first VFL club to employ a full-time Community Development Officer, a role which promotes AFL to thousands across the Wyndham community every year. 

Additionally, he was one of the driving forces behind the $11.75 million Avalon Airport Oval redevelopment which transformed the venue from a small, outdated facility to one of best amongst state-level sporting clubs.  

The ground has since hosted an AFLW match, an AFL pre-season match and the 2021 NAB League Girls Grand Final.  

Penaluna has also fostered a stronger relationship with the Western Regional Football League with Avalon Airport Oval becoming the unofficial home of local football finals in the west. 

Werribee president Martin Carter said the Penaluna’s life membership with the league was much deserved.

“Mark’s longevity in the VFL and at Werribee FC particularly for 18 years is testament to his character, loyalty persistence, respect, honesty and commitment to the cause,” he said.

“Mark is a hands-on administrator that has done everything from CEO down to umpire’s escort, there’s nothing he hasn’t done to make sure that Werribee FC was and is in a better place.

“Often the catalyst for liaison with a myriad of stakeholders, from the AFL, VFL and Football Vic to local government he typifies everything that is positive about community football and community sport.

“He is a most deserving humble VFL Life Member that is respected by anyone and everyone that is lucky enough to work with him.”

Penaluna joins Simon Atkins, David Lyons, Donald McDonald, John Nicol James Podsiadly, Len 'Tiger' Ryan, Nathan Saunders and Ray Smith as figures associated with Werribee to have earnt VFL Life Membership.  

Werribee had pounced to secure mid-season draftee Charlie Ham for 2022.   

Ham started the 2021 season with the Geelong Falcons before joining North Melbourne via the Mid-Season Draft with the Roos picking the small defender with their second selection, pick 16 overall.  

The 19-year-old spent the remainder of the campaign at Ardern Street, playing four games in the VFL, including the round 11 matchup against Werribee.  

A running half-back with a racking left foot, Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said, Ham would be a quality addition to the team.     

“After spending the second half of the season with North Melbourne as a Mid-Season draftee we’re delighted to add Charlie to our program,” he said. 

“Charlie is an attacking half-back with a penetrating left foot kick but is also someone who will spend time playing on a wing.  

“We think he fits well with our group and being from the Geelong region he already knows a lot of the guys here.”  

Ham hopes to have a big impact in his first full season at VFL level and said he was thrilled to be joining a top-class environment.  

“I’m so happy to make a decision and sign with Werribee and get stuck into training again with a team,” he said. 

“I haven’t trained with a team for a while so it’s good to get started with the boys, I know a lot of faces here already so I’m feeling pretty comfortable. 

“I’m really impressed with the professionalism of the club.

"I came here probably two years ago to check it out and to now be here and see the staff and everyone so invested with the players, it’s top tier especially for a standalone club. 

“I’m excited for next year and just want to continue to use my strengths which is my running and kicking, and see where things can go from there.”  

Werribee Football Club is delighted to welcome Brooke Lochland in the role of Community Manager. 

Lochland, an AFLW player with the Western Bulldogs, will oversee the club’s football development programs and work closely with organisations such as Wyndham City Council, Western Region Football League, AFL Victoria, The Salvation Army, Reclink Victoria and local schools.

She arrives in the role having most recently worked as a coach with the Simon Black Football Academy and has previous experience in the fitness industry alongside a lengthy career as a professional athlete, first as a long track speed skater before joining the ranks of AFLW in 2016.  

Brooke said she was thrilled to accept the position and looks forward to helping grow football participation across Wyndham.  

“This is always something I wanted to do, and Werribee is a great club with great people involved and I can’t wait to really get stuck into the role,” she said. 

“From what I’ve seen the club values the community and what they do in the community and I’m excited to continue the great work that Hamish and Mar have done over the last few years.”  

Outgoing manager Hamish MacInnes will remain with the club and fulfil a part-time position in the community space while Mar Gattek continues in his role as Multicultural Development Officer.  

Werribee remains the only VFL club with a full-time Community Manager which it’s had since 2006.  

Werribee Football Club CEO Mark Penaluna said he anticipates Lochland having a significant impact in her new role.   

“We’re very excited to have Brooke join us and I’m sure she will do an outstanding job,” he said. 

“She comes here with a significant sporting background but also has a strong community feel and a lot of great ideas and really wants to assist the club grow in all areas.” 

During our round 14 match against Port Melbourne a player was racially vilified by a member of the crowd. We have been working with the Port Melbourne Football Club and the AFL to investigate this incident.

If you were at Friday’s match and heard this comment or others please report it via the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility form at eafl.austfoot.com.au/afl-makeareport/#/landing or contact our CEO Mark Penaluna by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Werribee Football Club is an inclusive and community-based club that works diligently to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our players, officials, staff, members, supporters, spectators and patrons supporting our team or our opponents.

Vilification, racial or otherwise, has absolutely no place in our club, nor do the people who perpetuate or accept this behaviour.

These are not empty words or hollow sentiments. Enough is enough.

The Werribee Football Club is thrilled to announce that 2022 co-captains Tom Gribble and Dom Brew have both re-signed for next season.   

The duo took over the Werribee captaincy this year in place of long-time skipper Michael Sodomaco. 

In 2022, Gribble joined the list of 100 game players at the club before going on to win both the J.J Liston Trophy and Bruce Montgomery Trophy for the second time in his career. 

Brew embarked on his sixth year with the club this past season and averaged a career high 20.1 disposals per game while again finishing as one of the competition’s leading tacklers.  

Football manager Mark Micallef said the pair led well together and grew in the role over the course of the season. 

“Both Tom and Dom displayed strong leadership this year and we’re excited to see their continued development as leaders in 2023 and beyond,” he said. 

“Tom obviously had an outstanding year on the field winning a number of individual accolades and has a strong desire to add to his football CV with team success at Werribee. 

“Dom wears his heart on his sleeve with his passion close to unrivalled, he’s not only a key player on the field but the empathy he has for his teammates off it is just as big an asset.” 

Like the playing list at Werribee in 2022 the club’s coaching make-up sees the return of many of the key faces that have been a part of the program in recent seasons.

With Michael Barlow entering year two as senior coach he returns two of his three assistants from a year ago in Nick Daffy and Tom Perrett.

The team’s third assistant James Saker joins VFL coaching ranks for the first time but is familiar with Werribee having played four seasons with the club, two of those alongside Barlow.

Saker comes in as club’s backline and team defence coach which means both Perrett and Daffy will head up new areas of the field this season.

Perrett’s focus shifts from the back half of the ground to the front half taking charge of a young forward group as well as overseeing ball movement.

Daffy turns his attention to the midfield and stoppages working closely with the senior coach.

The four will again be surrounded by three development coaches headed by Hamish MacInnes with Luke Gallaher and Wassim Rafihi resuming their roles from last year.

Additionally, Gallaher and Rafihi will assist Perrett and Saker with their respective positions.

“I’ve said a number of times we are an aspirational group and what really does help with that is consistency around the coaching department,” Barlow said.

“I think everyone brings something different and from my point of view we coach, we teach and we challenge.

“One of my big take-aways or understandings from my first year in the job was to just allow those coaches to take the reins and flourish by utilising their respective skillsets.”

Even with the changes amongst assistant coaches Barlow said everyone is incredibly well suited to their designated position in 2022.

“Sakes just loves defending, we often joke that he wasn’t great with ball in hand but was one of the great players to play with at because of his effort and commitment to defending,” he said.

“His knowledge around, in particular team defence has already advanced us.

“Tom is just so reliable in terms of what he produces and is so consistent in his day-to-day involvement.

“He’s a school teacher by trade which really translates well to him working with a forward line group that is definitely our youngest area on the ground.

“Daff has no problems adjusting his role from forward line coach to the midfield.

“He’s built a really good rapport with our senior players with many of those guys part of the midfield and is tremendous at critically challenging them and finding different avenues for learning for them.

“Our development coaches have a big role to play too, running our development program for our under 22 players of which there are 16 players on the list and a similar number of train-ons.

Also working with the development group will be experienced pair Michael Sodomaco, Tom Gribble and recruit Ollie Hanrahan.

Outgoing captain Sodomaco will share his knowledge mentoring a group of small defenders, with Gribble taking on a similar role with the team’s young midfielders while former Hawthorn player Hanrahan will work wholistically with the under 22 group.

Analysis will be headed up by Luke Rosenstengel and a team of interns who will oversee the collation of keys stats. Meanwhile, David Supek takes on the responsibility of opposition scouting.

Werribee has finalised its coaching line-up for the upcoming season, the first under new mentor Jimmy Allan.

Allan, who played 27 games for the club across two seasons before a brilliant career in the SANFL, will be assisted by fellow Werribee alums Kyle Hartigan and Jarrod Young with Matt Dowling promoted from his role as a development coach.

Assuming the position of backline coach is Hartigan who after three years at Werribee went on to play 135 games with Adelaide and Hawthorn.

The former AFL defender isn’t unfamiliar with the current Werribee playing group after providing specialist coaching with the team during the 2023 season.

Young, a former teammate to Allan, has been appointed midfield coach and is back at Werribee for the first time since a four-year stint as a player from 2005-08.

After a decade of football in the VFL, SANFL and NTFL, Young has been an assistant coach at Grovedale and a playing coach at Geelong Amateur. He wrapped up his playing days by leading Inverleigh to a Geelong and District premiership this year.

Meanwhile, Dowling has been elevated and will now oversee the forwards following an outstanding first 12 months working with the line as a development coach.

The club’s development manager remains Hamish MacInnes who heads up the position for a third straight year, while Mario Mathuranayagam resumes his role as a development coach with the defenders.  

Joining the club as a development coach is Mark Hanson who arrives following a successful playing career and more recently coaching roles with Point Cook Centrals.

Werribee football manager Ash Collins said the club was delighted with its coaches for the upcoming campaign.

“We’re really happy with the support we’ve put around Jimmy as he prepares for his first season,” Collins said.

“With 10 years in the AFL system Kyle will be an invaluable resource for all of us and will be huge for not only the defenders but the entire playing list.

“Youngy returns to the place he started his senior career and brings a wealth of experience from his time playing and coaching, so he’ll be great for our midfielders.

“We’re excited to see Matt step-up as he is an impressive young coach. He’s eager to improve his coaching skillset and will continue to provide great guidance to our forwards.

“Hamish will continue to play a key role with the young and emerging talent at the club and has already played a big part this preseason leading training while Jimmy made the move from Adelaide.

“The development coaches under him in Mario and Mark are terrific guys to have onboard. Mario has a great connection with our players and staff and Mark comes in ready to share his knowledge.”


IMAGE: (L-R) Jimmy Allan, Matt Dowling, Jarrrod Young and Hamish MacInnes.

Werribee has added another mid-season draftee but this time a familiar face in Kye Declase who is back at the club for 2022.

Picked by Melbourne with the 15th selection in June’s Mid-Season Draft, the classy 195cm winger returns to Avalon Airport Oval with more strings to his bow and a point to prove after finishing 2021 with the AFL premiers.   

Having joined Werribee in 2018 the 25-year-old is set to embark on his fifth season at the club.   

“Werribee helped me get to AFL level, so it was an easy decision to come back to the club that got me there,” Declase said.    

“I definitely feel I come back as a better player after being in a full-time environment where you’re working on your strengths and weaknesses…I’ve learnt a lot.   

“The physicality and the quickness of the AFL game is very different to VFL and just training at that level has put me in good stead to play good VFL footy and perform at my best.   

“As a team, the goal is to succeed on the field and bring home some silverware at the end of the year, and for me personally I want to play good footy and get back on an AFL list.”   

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said regaining Declase had provided a significant boost to the list ahead of next season.   

“We’re really excited to have Kye back at the club, obviously he was picked up by Melbourne in the mid-season draft this past season and gained some really good experience,” he said.   

“As a player Kye is extremely athletic and can get up and down the ground really well, and then with his size he can go forward and take a strong overhead mark.  

“He’s a great character and was keen to come back to Werribee where he knows what the group’s ambitions are and we look forward to his contribution in 2022.”  

Werribee has suffered its first loss at home since May going down to Footscray by 26 points at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 19.

A four goal to one opening term saw Werribee lead by 18 points at the first break but it was the visitors that controlled the match for the  final three quarters kicking 11 of the last 16 goals to retain the HealthWest Cup. 

Werribee's Hudson Garoni was the standout forward on the ground booting five goals with the hosts also well served by Kye Declase, playing in his 50th game for the club, and leaders Dom Brew and Nick Coughlan.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 4.1 6.1 7.2 9.4 (58)
Footscray: 1.1 6.4 7.9 12.12 (84)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 5, K. Declase 2, N.Coughlan, T. Gribble.
Footscray: J. Schache 3, C. Raak 3, L, Sullivan 2, A. Jones, J. Sweet, D. Bendendo, R. Smith.

BEST
Werribee: H. Garoni, K. Declase, D. Brew, L. Pinnuck, N Coughlan, L. Rocci.
Footscray:

VIEW ROUND 19 IMAGE GALLERY

HOW IT HAPPENED
It took little more than a minute for Werribee to kick the first goal of the game with Kye Declase in his 50^th match for the club, converting on the run from just inside 50. Things only got better from there with back-to-back Hudson Garoni goals seeing Werribee out to a 19-point lead at the 16-minute mark. Footscray registered their only goal of the term 21 minutes in before Declase provided a swift reply with his second. Werribee was efficient in attack adding its 4.1 from seven inside 50 entries while in defence the hosts conceded just two scores from a total of 15 entries by the Bulldogs. Having already entered the clash without a host of key players Werribee lost a rotation with a first quarter ankle injury to Darcy Cassar.

The lead changed several times in the second term. Like Werribee had done in the opening stanza, Footscray had the first four scoring shots of the quarter with their third goal putting them ahead for the first time 12 minutes in. Hudson Garoni twice restored the lead for Werribee, with the key forward initially doing so at the 17-minute mark and then on a second occasion after 25 minutes. However, the hosts went into half-time three points down after conceding a late goal. Dom Brew, Nick Coughlan and Jack Henderson were all prominent for Werribee across the first two quarters with the trio gathering 14 disposals apiece in the opening half.

Footscray dominated the early exchanges of the third quarter but their inability to convert, kicking 1.6 in the first 18 minutes, meant Werribee remained within striking distance. With Dom Brew continuing to toil away in midfield and Ollie Hanrahan working his way into the game Werribee was able to ease the pressure on its defence by enjoying a good period of possession in the back end of the term. And the hosts were finally rewarded late on with the margin reduced to seven points as Garoni bagged his fifth of the afternoon two minutes out from the three-quarter time siren.

Having lacked tall forward options with Josh Porter and Nick Hayes out of the side, Coughlan started the final quarter in attack. The move proved a good one too when he produced Werribee’s first major 12 minutes into the last after the Bulldogs had goaled five minutes earlier. Unfortunately for Werribee it was the Bulldogs with the next couple of crucial scores as the hosts fell 20 points behind following consecutive goals to the opposition. Tom Gribble reduced the deficit to 15 points with seven minutes left on the clock but that’s as close as Werribee got as the Bulldogs added two late goals to confine the Big W to a seventh loss of the season.

KEY PLAYERS
Ollie Hanrahan:26 disposals (10 K), 4 marks, 10 handball receives, 4 clearances, 4 tackles.
Dom Brew: 25 disposals (11 K), 20 contested possessions, 3 marks (2 contested), 9 clearances, 15 tackles.
Tom Gribble: 23 disposals (11 K), 6 marks, 10 handball receives, 3 clearances,
Nick Coughlan: 21 disposals (16 K) at 86% efficiency, 8 marks (2 IM), 6 tackles, 5 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.
Jack Henderson: 19 disposals (11 K), 5 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 10 tackles. 
Lou Pinnuck: 18 disposals (12 K), 6 marks, 8 intercept possessions, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 4 score involvements rebound 50s.
Hudson Garoni:12 disposals, 6 marks (2 CM), 8 score involvements, 5 goals.
Lucas Rocci: 11 disposals (9 K), 6 marks (2 IM), 5 rebound 50s.

NEXT MATCH
Round 20
Werribee vs Brisbane
Saturday August 6, 11:05am
Moreton Bay Sports Complex

Werribee has moved to the top of the VFL ladder thanks to a club record 14th straight win achieved with a 35-point victory over Collingwood in Round 20.

With a 14.9 (93) to 8.10 (58) result over the Magpies the Big W surpassed their previous longest win streak of 13 set in 1998, doing so in the team’s final game at Avalon Airport Oval for the home and away season.

The victory was also Werribee’s ninth consecutive home win in 2023 having made the ground a fortress since an early season loss to Geelong in Round 4.

Against a Collingwood team with 16 AFL-listed players, Tom Gribble and Jack Henderson were outstanding combining for 59 disposals and 15 clearances while Hudson Garoni and Sam Paea each kicked three goals to continue career-best seasons up forward.

It was the seventh time this season Werribee has held an opponent to under 60 points with captain Nick Coughlan and follow backmen Nathan Cooper, Louis Pinnuck and Sam Clohesy orchestrating a brilliant defensive display which included 28 intercepts between them.

In front of a huge crowd the Big W produced one of their best opening quarters of football for the year.

Matt Keast opened the scoring less than four minutes into the contest with his seventh goal of the campaign before Garoni gave Werribee a second as he converted his third opportunity at the 10-minute mark of the term.

With the home team's progress slowed through the middle part of the quarter a Michael Selsby snap eventually gave Werribee a third major with further goals to Porter and Garoni stretching the margin to 33 points at the first change.

Werribee set several game highs in the opening stanza with 17 inside 50s, 15 clearances and 45 uncontested marks, while nine intercept marks helped keep the Magpies scoreless.

Garoni’s strong start continued early in the second as he kicked his third goal just a minute and half into the quarter and when Sam Paea nailed his first at the 23-minute mark the Big W had a 43-point buffer.

However, the Magpies hit back with the next five scoring shots to reduce the margin to 28 points at the main break.

Paea provided the first major of the second half and three of the next four goals courtesy of Nick Hayes, Michael Selsby and Bior Malual would again see the margin out to 43-points before the Pies got one back late in the third.

The visitors continued with the momentum in the final term with a couple of goals reducing the Big W’s lead to 28 points with just over 10 minutes to play, but back-to-back majors to Paea and Keast snuffed out any hopes of a Collingwood comeback.

Werribee: 5.3 8.4 12.6 14.9 (93)
Collingwood: 0.0 3.6 5.9 8.10 (58)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 3, S. Paea 3, M. Keast 2, M. Selsby 2, J. Porter, T. Gribble, N. Hayes, B. Malual.
Collingwood: J. Ginnivan 2, N. Kreuger, R. McInnes, M. Cox, H. Harrison, C. Murley, J. Tomasiello. 

BEST
Werribee: M. Sodomaco, N. Cooper, B. Malual, S. Paea, J. Henderson, T. Gribble

ROUND 20 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 30 disposals (16 K, 14 HB), 6 marks, 12 handball receives, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 1 goal.
Jack Henderson: 29 disposals (16 K, 13 HB), 17 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 10 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements.
Michael Sodomaco: 26 disposals (21 K, 5 HB) at 81% efficiency, 11 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 score involvements.
Bior Malual: 26 disposals (21 K, 5 HB), 8 marks (2 intercept), 12 handball receives, 2 tackles, 4 score involvements, 1 goal.
Matt Hanson: 25 disposals (16 K, 9 HB), 8 marks, 12 contested possessions, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 5 score involvements.
Jack Riding: 17 disposals (13 K, 4 HB), 9 marks (2 contested), 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 5 score involvements.
Nathan Cooper: 14 disposals (7 K, 7 HB), 6 marks (2 intercept), 2 tackles, 3 rebound 50s.
Hudson Garoni: 12 disposals (8 K, 4 HB), 7 marks (3 contested), 2 tackles, 9 score involvements, 3 goals.
Kobe Annand: 11 disposals (8 K, 3 HB), 3 marks (1 intercept), 12 hit-outs, 6 tackles, 2 clearances.
Sam Paea: 11 disposals (9 K, 2 HB), 5 marks (2 contested), 2 score assists, 3 goals.

NEXT GAME
Round 22
Werribee vs Sydney
Sunday 20th August, 12:05pm
Tramway Oval, Sydney

Top Victorian mid-season draft prospects and many future stars of the men’s game will line up in the Colgate Young Guns v Victoria Metro U18 match at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday following the Smithy’s VFL game between Werribee and Sydney.

The Colgate Young Guns team has been selected by AFL recruiters as they look to bolster their lists in the 2022 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, which will be held on Wednesday 1 June.

The Colgate Young Guns features the state’s brightest 19-year-old prospects, most of whom are competing as top-age players in the 2022 NAB League Boys season. 

All players selected in theYoung Guns squad are eligible for next month’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The match will serve a separate purpose for the Victoria Metro U18 team, where players will be pushing their case for selection in the squad that will compete in the NAB AFL U18 National Championships.

It is the first in a two-game series for the Colgate Young Guns, who will also take on Victoria Country U18 on Sunday 15 May.

Saturday’s match between the Colgate Young Guns and Victoria Metro U18 will commence at 4:30pm.

Every Werribee player through time will now be forever recognised with their own personal number with the club pleased to announce the official list of players that have represented the club in a senior VFA/VFL match. 

Almost 1000 players have lined up for Werribee in a senior game in the club’s 59-year existence, but it’s taken several years of research led by board member Ian Hovey, to piece together the list. 

With no official records from the club’s first four decades citing the round and/or date when players debuted, Hovey and others were tasked with combing through numerous club and league archives. 

With countless hours of research now complete, Brian Holcombe, who coached and captained Werribee in its inaugural season in 1965, is credited with being the club’s first ever player. 

After 10 rounds of the 2023 VFL season 953 players have now represented Werribee at senior level. 

Some of the notable names and their numbers include John Comben who was Werribee’s 62^nd overall player while Australian Test bowler Merv Hughes who appeared in 95 games was No. 214. 

Donald McDonald, Werribee’s only premiership coach was the 428th player to represent the club with his son, current North Melbourne captain Luke McDonald becoming the club’s 780th when he debuted 20 years after his father in 2013. 

Games record holder Robbie Castello was the 609th player for Werribee with leading goal kicker Kevin Leece listed at 102, while current senior coach Michael Barlow’s number is 670. 

The only Brownlow Medallist to have pulled on a Werribee jumper Adam Cooney, who played two games in 2004 during the club’s alignment with the Western Bulldogs, is player 606. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was great to now have the full list of player numbers on hand.    

“It’s been a big project with a lot of hours dedicated to it by Ian and Micki Hovey and Narelle Penaluna,” he said. 

“For a lot of our past players it’s not something many will be aware of, but we hope it creates a bit of interest amongst those that have previously played here.

“Going forward it’s something that they we can tell players when they debut and is hopefully something they will remember from their time at the club.”

To discover the full list of Werribee player history CLICK HERE

Any queries can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Image: The first Werribee team in 1965.

Several of Werribee’s brightest young prospects have re-committed for a second season at Avalon Airport Oval.  

Noah Gribble, Matt Keast, Flynn Young and Gennaro Bove all joined the club for 2022, straight from the Geelong Falcons.

Gribble played 11 VFL games this past season and had no trouble finding the football averaging 17.4 disposals per outing.

Keast showed promise in nine matches after first cracking the team in round seven while Young earned a final round debut against the Northern Bullants and finished the match with a couple of goals.

Bove spent much of the year working his way back to full fitness following offseason shoulder surgery but has impressed with his character and work ethic.

“It’s great to have these young Ex-Geelong Falcons players re-commit for 2023, all four showed a lot of promise in their first season with the club,” football manager Mark Micallef said.

“Noah made his debut for the club in 2021 and played some good footy this year while Keasty was a bit of a surprise packet debuting mid-year and looking more than up to the level with some nice performances, primarily playing on a wing.

“Flynn was invited to our trial day and immediately caught our eye, he has some impressive traits which he displayed for Grovedale before being rewarded with a VFL debut.

“Gennaro is a high character individual and we’re excited to see what he can offer as small forward or high half-forward with a full preseason under his belt.”

Small forward Michael Selsby has swapped Queensland for Victoria signing with Werribee after two seasons with Southport. 

Selsby arrives at Avalon Airport Oval after 20 appearances for the Sharks having joined the Queensland standalone from the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

The 21-year-old played in Southport’s first 11 games last season before a shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines until late in the campaign. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted to add Selsby.   

“We’re really pleased to have Michael join us, after being involved in a successful program at Southport over recent years he knows what is required to succeed at this level,” he said.   

“He’s a North Queensland boy who has really embraced the move to Victoria and we’re excited to have him with his ability to find the ball in dangerous positions and finish in front of goal.” 

Cassar spent the past two years on Footscray’s list and will be aiming to make his VFL debut with Werribee in 2022. 

He played 11 games with Keilor this past season where he kicked just under a goal a game and was named in the team’s best two players on four occasions.  

The 20-year-old mid/forward is another player that has been recruited for his speed, ball use and ability to play multiple positions.  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was great to have Cassar on board.  

“Darcy hails from the Western Jets and Keilor Football Club, spent the past two years on Footscray’s VFL list and comes to us highly sort after,” he said. 

“He’s a highly talented mid/forward, he has really good athletic capabilities, attacks the lanes well and makes really good decisions with ball in hand. 

“With Darcy’s ability to play midfield and forward he’s someone we can see making an impact relatively early.” 

A former teammate of Lucas Rocci, Connor Thar and Harrison White at the Western Jets, Cassar said he was thrilled to be a part of his new club. 

“I’ve had a bit of contact with Werribee in the past and decided to make the move over, I’m excited to be here and have loved the first few weeks,” he said.

“My strengths are my speed, first few steps, run and carry, and goal kicking.  

“Hopefully I get a few games. Position wise I’m happy to play wherever; half-forward, wing or half-back.” 

Werribee has retained the services of three of its best ball users and outside runners by re-signing Jack Henderson, Bior Malual and Keegan Gray.

All three took another step forward with their play when the VFL returned in 2021.

Henderson spent more time in the midfield after previously playing as a small defender and small forward while Malual became team’s main offensive weapon out of defence.

Gray who played seven of nine games cemented his place in the best 22 with a number of dashing performances after coming into the side in round 3.

Gray and Henderson who both turn 22 in the coming months will extend their time at Werribee into a fifth year while 2022 will be Malual’s fourth year at the club after joining from Airport West.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said all three signatures were a high priority for the club.

“Jack Henderson had a fantastic year, he’s someone who can play a multitude of roles, is extremely coachable and runs his backside off each week. He’s the youngest member of our leadership group and someone we can see filling an even greater leadership role in coming seasons,” Micallef said.

“Keegan can play a number of outside roles for us off halfback or through the wing and is a beautiful decision maker with ball in hand. He’s a great character and like Jack has been a long-term player for Werribee now, with the club seeing him progress and develop from an 18-year-old kid.

“We’re extremely excited to have Bior back for another year, he’s a player that has the running capability and decision making to really hurt opposition teams and we saw that in multiple games this year. His ball use and attacking ability off halfback or the wing was a highlight for our team this season and we look forward to seeing more of that again next year.”

With Michael Barlow's debut season as coach of Werribee disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the first-year mentor is now firmly focused on building on 2021 in year two of his tenure at Avalon Airport Oval.  

With the VFL home-and-away season ending two weeks ago, Werribee’s year came to a close after just nine games but, despite the stop-start nature of the season, Barlow will take away plenty from his initial campaign in charge.

“The learning experience of the year has been tremendous for me, I’ve got an understanding of what we’ve done well and what we can stick with, as well as what we can improve and adjust,” he said.  

“I’ve got a greater appreciation for what we’ve got at this club. I’m surrounded by a terrific team of coaches, football staff and volunteers and am thankful for the support from CEO Mark Penaluna and the board led by (president) Martin Carter.   

“We’ve got an incredible playing group, who even with the uncertainty of the season never wavered in their commitment, from not knowing when they’d be training again or when and who we might be playing.  

“Mark Micallef our football manger is six months into the job now and there’s a lot of confidence around what we’ve got and the framework that’s in place to succeed next year, so I’m really excited to begin preparing for 2022.”  

Barlow’s first season at the helm for Werribee ended in five wins and four losses and a ninth-place finish on the ladder.  

Werribee’s first victory came in Round 3, as the Big W defeated reigning VFL premiers Richmond by 80-points in captain Michael Sodomaco’s 100^th game. The team’s five wins were by an average margin of 67 points while three of the club’s four losses were by 11 points or less.   

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said he was proud of what Barlow was able to achieve in a challenging season.   

“Mick did a great job in his first year, he came into the position late last December and then had to deal with all the challenges thrown up by the pandemic,” he said.  

“Most of the group began the season having not played in 18 months, but there were some good signs and the team won three games in a row before the season was first put on hold at the end of May.  

“Mick was able to keep players motivated in a landscape that was for ever changing, we’re very confident in his ability and look forward to seeing him get the best out of the group going forward.” 

Werribee has gained one of the VFL’s most promising young talls with the signature of Jack Boyd for 2023.

The 21-year-old arrives at Avalon Airport Oval after playing every game for the Northern Bullants over the past two seasons.

Having split his time between attack and the ruck a year ago the 196cm Northern Knights product spent more time as a permanent forward in 2022.

He booted 24 goals this season including a career-best four majors against Carlton in round 10 before rounding out the campaign with an impressive 22-possession game at Werribee.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said Boyd’s signing was an exciting coup for the club.

“Jack’s a good athlete with a strong set of hands,” he said.

“We see him mainly as a key forward but he’s also capable of playing in the ruck where he can provide a strong presence around the ball.

“As a forward we think he can establish a really good partnership with Hudson Garoni but we’re also excited by the look of our forward line with the other options we have up there.”

Werribee is set to welcome back former player James Saker in a coaching role for 2022.  

Saker who played alongside senior coach Michael Barlow in 2008-09 will take over as backline coach and also oversee team defence.  

A talented key defender on the field, Saker played 52 games for Werribee from 2008-11 before becoming senior coach at Ovens and Murray FL club Lavington in 2012. He led the Panthers for six seasons and guided them to two grand final appearances and another two preliminary finals in that time.  

Saker, who has been playing football at Torquay since 2019, said he was thrilled to be returning to coaching.  

“The last couple of years have been a bit stop start for everyone and I think I’m more passionate about the coaching side of it rather than playing now and this is a pretty good opportunity to step into at this level,” he said.

“I got the call from Mick and had a bit of a think about it but once I made the call I was really excited by it. I think getting back to a club I’ve had some history with and know a lot of the people around the place is exciting to be a part of again and to try to help bring it some success.

“Team defence is obviously huge in all levels of footy and I’m keen to build that team defence culture. Everyone is going to have that job to do and it’s great when everyone is on the same page. I think the thirst for knowledge and learning that the players will have is one aspect I’m really looking forward to.”  

With Saker’s arrival in the coaches box Tom Perrett will move into a new role for 2022. Werribee football Manager Mark Micallef said the club is close to finalising its coaching group for next season.  

“We’re very pleased to have James join us, he comes from an experienced background as both a player and coach and will be great for the defensive side of our game,” he said.  

“Being a Werribee past player, he is a well-respected person at our club, and we look forward to having James and his family as part of the Werribee family once again. 

“With James coming onboard Tom Perrett will shift roles which will add to his coaching credentials. Tom’s a very adaptable coach and is someone we’re trying to mould into really well-rounded coach.”  

The club has also retained Luke Gallaher and Wassim Rafihi as development coaches. 

“Luke and Wassim both joined us for the 2021 season and did a fantastic job in their development roles, so we’re excited to have them continue to contribute to that part of our program,” Micallef said.  

Werribee has retained a mix of key position talent, leadership and quality with Nathan Cooper, Nick Hayes, Josh Porter and Bior Malual all re-signing for 2023. 

Hayes and Porter, both 28, are two of the team’s elder statesmen with Hayes having played footy across three different states while Porter has now had three stints in the VFL with Werribee.  

The pair offered great versatility in 2022, South Australian-native Hayes was again crucial in the forward half with his ability to play up the ground or close to goal while Porter provided sure hands in attack and plenty of minutes as a back-up ruckman. 

Hulking fullback Cooper enters his third year at the club and will be hoping for some continuity with his footy next season after a COVID-year and then an injury-affected 2022 that limited him to 12 games.   

Malual is approaching 50 games for the club after breaking through at VFL level in 2019 and will again be relied upon for his dash and as one of the side’s best kicks.   

“It’s great to have these four guys re-commit for another season as they’re all hugely important to us at both ends of the ground,” Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said.  

“Josh and Nick are two of our most experienced players and are so important to our forward group thanks to their football IQ and ability to direct and educate our younger players. 

“Nathan is one of our key posts down back and was terrific early in the season before going down with injury while Bior is crucial to the way we play with his hard running and beautiful ball use.” 

Meanwhile Ollie Hanrahan recently informed the club he will take some time away from football in 2023 after deciding to focus on cricket over the next 12 months. 

Harahan joined Werribee after five seasons in the AFL with Hawthorn and was a quality addition for the club with his class on full display in several matches in 2022, most notably against his former club Box Hill in round 19.  

Hanrahan will appear for Hawthorn Kingston in Victorian Premier Cricket this summer and then plans to spend next winter playing in England. 

Picture (left to right): Josh Porter, Nathan Cooper, Bior Malual, Nick Hayes.