Werribee Football Club enjoyed another strong presence at last night’s VFL Awards Night, where reigning Bruce Montgomery Medalist Dom Brew earned a third consecutive Team of the Year selection and President Martin Carter was recognised with VFL Life Membership.

Brew and Carter were both acknowledged on stage at Marvel Stadium, capping off a memorable evening for the club.

Just two days after claiming his third straight Bruce Montgomery Trophy as Werribee’s best-and-fairest, Brew added another honour by securing a third successive appearance in the VFL Team of the Year.

In a season where he moved into Werribee’s top ten for games played, Brew continued to build on an extraordinary run from 2023 to 2025, a period in which he has not missed a single match. The inside midfielder averaged career-highs of 28.9 disposals and 10.1 clearances per game, leading the competition in clearances while also topping the league for contested possessions and tackles.

He also equalled his career-best goal tally since 2019, highlighted by two clutch majors deep into the final quarter against Port Melbourne that helped secure Werribee’s Round 10 victory.

At the awards night, Brew also presented the 2025 winner, Southport’s Jordan Dawson, with the J.J. Liston Trophy, while finishing third in the count himself. He polled in 11 of his 18 games and finished 12 votes clear of his nearest Werribee teammate.

For the second year running, key forward Hudson Garoni was next best with nine votes, followed by midfielders Jack Riding (seven) and Daly Andrews (six). Ruckman Sam Conway (three), Harry Grintell (two), and Jay Dahlhaus, Bior Malual and Flynn Young (all one) also featured on the tally.

The night was equally significant for Carter, who was awarded VFL Life Membership in recognition for his ‘special service to the VFL or to football in general’

Carter began his journey with Werribee joining the club’s committee in 1992 and was part of the board during the club’s historic first VFA/VFL premiership in 1993.

He remained involved on the board across multiple periods, including serving as vice president in 2008 and 2009.

In 2015, following the sudden passing of John Nicol, Martin stepped in, in an acting capacity, until he was officially appointed President at the 2016 AGM. Martin’s presidency has been a period of stability and growth, including the club’s transition from an AFL-aligned model with North Melbourne to a fully standalone VFL team since 2018.

The pinnacle of Martin’s time as President came in 2024 when Werribee secured its second VFL premiership. An achievement reflecting the efforts of every level of the club and celebrated when Martin and CEO Mark Penaluna unfurled the flag at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval to open the 2025 season.

Martin’s VFL Life Membership caps off a year of personal recognition, following his induction into Werribee’s Hall of Fame earlier in the year.

Martin 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, as well CEO Mark Penaluna and two-time J.J. Liston winner Tom Gribble who have received the honour in recent years.

Reflecting on the honour, Carter said it was all about the bigger picture:; “It’s about the community, it’s about how we drive each other, it’s about how we care for each other. They’re our values. Werribee, from top down to bottom up, are all the same. We’re in this to develop people, to develop them to be better people, as well as our players.”