The Werribee Football Clubs reputation as the standout development program in the VFL was enhanced with two more players making the leap to AFL level via the 2025 mid-season draft.

Small forwards Zac Banch and Flynn Young AFL dreams became reality being selected by North Melbourne and Carlton, respectively.

Reflecting on the night, Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said, “We are delighted for Flynn and Zac on joining Carlton and North Melbourne. Both are ready for the challenge and are wonderful, respectful young men.”

“From a club perspective,” Penaluna added, “it is a credit to Jimmy Allan, our coaches and Football Manager Kyle Hartigan and his staff. Indeed all elements of the Werribee Football Club, from the board, sponsors and volunteers help create an environment where people are given every opportunity to reach their potential.”

Banch and Young become the fifth and sixth members of Werribee’s 2024 premiership team now on AFL lists, joining Riley Bice and Aidan Johnson (national draft), and Jack Henderson (SSP selection).

Zac Banch was the first of the duo taken, selected by North Melbourne with pick two.

2025 marked Banch’s second season at Werribee after arriving from Williamstown.

He began 2024 with three games for local WFNL club Point Cook Centrals before making his VFL debut in Round 8 against Collingwood, where he kicked two goals. He held his spot for the rest of the year and was one of just four players to be named Werribee’s Totally Workwear Player of the Round twice, after standout performances against Sydney (three goals) and Coburg (four goals). He impressed in finals too, named among the best in the Qualifying Final and kicking a long-range goal early in the Grand Final.

Banch carried that momentum into 2025, kicking nine goals from eight games and leading the VFL in goal assists. He also set a new league record for score assists in a single game, registering eight in a win over Frankston.

North Melbourne Recruiting Manager Will Thursfield speaking on the Banch selection said “He’s very clean, he's very crafty, he doesn't need much time to make his decisions, and he's a very nice kick of the footy.

"He’s an impact player. Half his touches have ended up in scores, so he's damaging and is very good defensively too.

"He's honest, he'll step in, he'll tackle, he's a tough little man, and he's a pretty infectious sort of personality."

Young was selected two picks later by Carlton at pick four. After managing just two VFL appearances across 2022 and 2023, his emergence in 2024 was a remarkable rise.

Young began the 2024 season playing locally with Newtown & Chilwell, where he kicked 21 goals in three matches to lead the GFNL goalkicking. Recalled to Werribee in Round 6, he impressed with two goals, 15 disposals and six marks against Carlton and went on to play every game for the remainder of the season. He averaged over 13 disposals and five marks, and also stood up in finals, kicking the opening goal in both the Qualifying Final and Grand Final.

Like Banch, Young continued his rise in 2025, with the half-forward booting 12 goals, whilst averaging a career-best 16 disposals and seven marks from his eight games.

Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said Young’s incredible rise to AFL football in the space of 18 months was built off hard work.

“Flynn has gone from strength to strength in the last little while and we couldn’t be happier to bring him to the football club,” Austin said.

“At 23 years of age, it hasn’t been the conventional path to the elite level for Flynn - what he has shown in his time at Werribee is his appetite for getting the best out of himself and leaving no stone unturned.

“He’s produced some big moments in some big finals at VFL level, and we think he offers something different as a dynamic player in the front half.”