In one of the great stories to come out of the VFL in 2025, Bior Malual will receive life membership at the Werribee Football Club when he reaches the 100-game milestone this Saturday against Southport at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval.

The 29-year-old returns after four weeks on the sidelines with a facial injury suffered in his 99th game, a tough Round 16 loss to Casey. He now brings up game number 100 at home in front of family and friends.

Originally from South Sudan, Malual moved to Australia at just five years old with his five siblings. His journey is a famous one with his family walking 1,500 kilometres to escape from South Sudan to Kenya, before eventually making their way to Australia in 2002.

After settling in Melbourne’s west, Bior’s path to the Werribee Football Club has became club folklore, thanks to a famous 3km time trial during the 2019 pre-season. His older brother was working at the club as Werribee’s Diversity Manager, and following a best-on-ground performance for Airport West in the EDFL Grand Final weeks earlier, Bior was invited to trial. On day one of trials, he ran the time trial in 9 minutes 15 seconds at Princess Park, catching the eye of coach Mark ‘Choco’ Williams.

Malual earned a spot on the 2019 list and debuted in Round 1, finishing with 12 disposals, six marks and a goal. He played 19 games in his debut season, kicked 19 goals, and was invited to the state draft combine, where he recorded the top agility and yo-yo test results. He was also runner-up in the club’s Best First Year Player award behind future AFL draftee Jake Riccardi.

Quickly locking down a consistent spot in Werribee’s best 22, Malual brought up his 50th game in 2023 against Footscray.

He played every game in 2024, averaging 17 disposals and seven marks, finishing top ten in the best and fairest for the third time and capping it off with a premiership medal.

Bior re-signed for 2025 as the oldest player on the list and took his game to another level to start the new season. He didn’t miss a match across the opening 14 rounds and claimed four Player of the Match awards before the Round 16 injury setback.

Malual becomes just the second South Sudanese player to reach 100 VFL games, following former AFL and Werribee teammate Majak Daw, someone he looked up to in his early years. In what is a fantastic achievement, Bior becomes the first to play all 100 games at a single VFL club.

This Southport matchup sees Werribee return to Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for their final home game of 2025. With finals no longer in reach after a Round 18 loss to Richmond, the club will be looking to finish strong in front of home fans in what marks the second Grand Final rematch of the season.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 20
Werribee vs Southport
Saturday, August 9, 12:05 pm
Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Round 20 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au