Werribee Football Club is delighted to announce it has filled the two vacant and pivotal positions within the club with two outstanding individuals.

James Allan (Senior Coach) and Ash Collins (Football Manager).

Jimmy returns to Avalon Airport Oval after a decorated career in the SANFL where he won three Magarey Medals, five North Adelaide Best and Fairest awards and a premiership with Norwood, among his many achievements. Werribee fans will remember Jimmy as the fierce ball winning number five who played some outstanding games in his two seasons at the club.

President Martin Carter welcomed the news: “Jimmy was a popular leader at our club in his playing days and the career he has had in South Australia as a player and more recently in assistant coaching roles has given him the perfect credentials to take over from Michael Barlow and keep our club at the top of the VFL competition.”

The other new recruit is Ash Collins, taking on the role of Football Manager. Ash brings a wide range of football experience, having been involved in key roles with the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and the Sydney Swans. His decade-plus AFL career includes 10 years at the reigning AFL premiers Collingwood.

CEO Mark Penaluna sees the club not missing a beat with the appointments: “Ash brings many skills to a very demanding and sometimes unpredictable role but he has the experience to hit the ground running and continue Mark Micallef’s great work. These two positions were much sought after and highly desirable in the football marketplace and we feel we have secured the right team to take us forward.”

Dual J.J Liston Trophy winner Tom Gribble has confirmed his retirement bringing the curtain down on a glittering 141-game VFL career.

After a decade at Avalon Airport Oval following a season with Geelong’s VFL outfit, Gribble finishes up with the second most appearances for Werribee having tied fellow best and fairest winner and club captain Dom Gleeson on 137 games.

“It was probably during the early stages of the season that I started to think that this might be my last," Gribble said. "The further things got along I felt more comfortable with the decision too.”

“This year was the most enjoyable year I’ve had and most of the boys will attest to that. It was unreal winning 17 games in a row, and although not getting an 18th in the big dance was tough to swallow, for me this season was a great way to finish up after 10 years."

The ball magnet who was crowned the league’s best player in 2019 and 2022 bows out alongside good mates Michael Sodomaco and Matt Hanson.

“I came to the club in 2014, Sods started here the year before I did and Matt came the year after me. They are a large part of why I stayed around for 10 years and their decisions to retire were also a contributing factor for me."

"It’s the friendships and relationships you build that keep you coming back. I was lucky enough to win a couple of individual accolades, but I’d trade those in a heartbeat to play in a premiership with my teammates.”

The loss of Gribble and Hanson from the Big W’s midfield is no doubt significant, but Gribble is confident the club has the talent to cover the pair’s departure.

“We saw Brewy this year take his game to a whole new level, Jack Henderson had another great year and is ready to step up and we’ve got younger guys ready for an opportunity. There’s been a high importance placed on our development program and we’ve put the groundwork into a number of guys over the last few years, so I’m confident the club is in pretty good spot.”

With his VFL days over Gribble has signed as a playing assistant coach of Bellarine Football Netball League club Geelong Amateur.

And despite his commitments for the Ammos next year he plans to watch the Tigers when he can in 2024.

“I won’t be stranger to the footy club,” Gribble said. Next year is a big one in terms of milestones and three guys I’m really close with in Brewy, Hendo and Louis Pinnuck will play their 100^th games. Hopefully things can align on a couple of weekends and I can get along to see those big games. I’m definitely keen to get there and cheer on the boys from the sidelines.”

The good news keeps rolling at Avalon Airport Oval with the 2023 captain Nick Coughlan signing on for 2024. 

It was a big season for the popular defender, who had an injury-interrupted start to the season before playing 18 games as the lynchpin of a rock-solid Tigers defensive unit. 

Coughlan took on the captaincy role in 2023 and thrived, culminating in his selection in the VFL Team of the Year.

Supporters will be as delighted as his teammates that Nick is on board for another tilt at the title. The man himself certainly is:  

“I am very excited to be going around in 2024. To climb the mountain last season and fall just short will hurt for a long time but we have a group of guys that I know can go again.” 

“The nature of the VFL is we will lose top quality people and players every year, but the culture that has been built at Werribee over the years will allow new people to write their own stories and carry the club going forward.” 

“It's awesome to see so many guys sign on again and a lot of that has to do with the enjoyment playing at Werribee provides.” 

“For me personally, being at Werribee has been the most enjoyment I've had playing footy ever and I look forward to doing it all over again next season."

Football Manager Mark Micallef summed up the news of Nick’s signing: 

“We are extremely delighted to have Nick on board for the 2024 season. He is an outstanding leader and I don’t have to tell people about his on-field ability. He is the Team of the Year key defender and an important pillar of our club.”   

Nick has signed on and you can too. Membership packages for the 2024 season are available via our online shop HERE. 

After 102 games and four Bruce Montgomery Trophies, Matt Hanson has decided to call time on his stellar VFL football career. 

The popular Taswegian let the dust settle after the Grand Final loss to ponder his football future. 

“It was an emotional decision but it is the right one,” Hanson told Werribeefc.com.au. “From my ninth year to my first year at the club, it is such a different thing. You arrive as an 18 year old and you have all eyes on the football, because you don’t really know much else. You get to training at 3.30 and you are there ‘til 9 o’clock.” 

“Now with a young family and a business, time is very precious. It is a massive juggle. Kat has sacrificed a lot with her business to allow me to continue playing at VFL level and Henley is getting a bit older, so it felt right for where we are as a family at the moment.”  

Hanson’s last game was the 2023 Grand Final, a lasting and slightly bitter memory. 

“We nearly got there in the end. We just fell short to a really good side on the day, but I think all of us can hold our heads high. We had a really good crack.”

You don’t have to tell the Werribee faithful how good a player Matt Hanson was and all still wonder why AFL recruiters didn’t see what those in the stands of Chirnside Park saw week after week from the number 11.

What would Matt say to those following in his footsteps on arrival at Avalon Airport Oval? 

“Just dig in. Don’t leave anything to chance. Do your best, be a sponge, soak up as much info as you can. Talk to guys like Brewy (Dom Brew)  Coggo (Nick Coughlan) Shawny Mannagh, Kye (Declase) all those guys. Learn from them. What do they do before training and after training? What do they do on off nights for recovery to improve themselves? All those sorts of things that will put you in a good spot for wherever football takes you and life as well. You don’t have to be drafted to have a successful career at football. There are other things in life that mean so much more to individuals than just football like family, business and work.”

Matt Hanson will be fondly remembered by supporters as a player who always gave 100%.   

“Thanks to the Werribee football club faithful, to everyone involved. Thanks you so very much. Without your support, we as players are nothing. You guys are the backbone of the club The supporters are everything to us, we thrive on you come game day.”

“Keep showing up because there is going to be a very bright future. After 9 seasons, the Werribee Football Club will always be my home. I will try to get to as many games as I can and it will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Hanson will still be having a kick with Airport West in the Essendon District League and everyone at the club wishes him the best of luck.