Werribee is set for its second practice match with the Big W heading down the highway to Geelong to play the Cats under lights at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

Following last weekend’s contest against Frankston, Werribee’s coaching staff will have another four quarters to assess the side ahead of the opening round of 2023 Smithy’s VFL season on March 25.

Twenty-six players will be used against the Cats with several players coming into the team for their first competitive outing in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

Spectators attending the game will only be able to enter the ground via Gate 13. 

In 2023, our goals are loftier, standards higher, and our people more driven than ever to make the season one to remember.

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PRACTICE MATCH 2
Werribee vs Geelong
Friday 10th March, 7:00pm
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Werribee kicked off its preparations for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season with an opening practice match win against Frankston on Saturday.

Taking on the Dolphins in the second of three matches at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve as part of a preseason Victorian standalone club carnival, the Big W came away with a 8.9 (57) to 1.3 (9) result after four 20-minute quarters.

In warm and blustery conditions not conducive to free-flowing football Werribee was strong at the contest across the game with the most of the team’s scoring coming in the second and fourth quarters with seven of eight goals kicked in those two terms.

A host of young players impressed with Matt Keast, Emmanuel Ajang and new recruit Noah Lever among the leading disposal getters. Fellow new signing Harry Grintell was the leading forward with three goals.

The one setback from the day was a leg injury to starting ruckman Sam Conway who looks likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks.   

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 1.2 5.4 5.5 8.9 (57)
Frankston: 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.3 (9)

PLAYER STATS
Matt Keast: 19 disposals (6 K, 13 HB), 6 marks, 3 clearances, 7 tackles.
Tom Gribble: 18 disposals (9 K, 9 HB), 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal.
Noah Lever: 18 disposals (9 K, 9 HB), 3 clearances, 7 tackles, 1 goal.
Emmanuel Ajang: 17 disposals (8 K, 9 HB), 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 6 tackles.
Dom Brew: 16 disposals (10 K, 6 HB), 4 marks, 3 inside 50s, 10 tackles
Sam Clohesy: 16 disposals (6 K, 10 HB), 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s.
Jack Boyd: 12 disposals (7 K, 5 HB), 5 hit-outs, 3 clearances, 3 tackles.  
Harry Grintell: 9 disposals (4 K, 5 HB), 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals.

IMAGE GALLERY – VIEW HERE

THIS WEEK
Werribee vs Geelong
Friday March 10, 7:00pm
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Werribee is proud to announce Nick Coughlan as the club’s captain for 2023. 

Coughlan's appointment was revealed to players and staff on Monday night. 

The star defender has played 55 games for Werribee since joining the club in 2018. 

He becomes the 34th player to captain the club with his appointment endorsed by the board and senior management late last week following a player vote. 

Coughlan said he was incredibly humbled to be named captain.

“I didn't think when I first walked into the club that I would one day be captain,” he said.

“From day one I have loved being at Werribee and all of the people past and present have been incredible to work with.”

“I'm very thankful for the trust shown in me by the players, Mick (coach Michael Barlow), Mark Penaluna (CEO) and Martin Carter (President) and the board to lead the club in 2023.”

Coughlan takes over from Dom Brew and Tom Gribble who co-captained the club last season.  

Before arriving at Werribee, Coughlan spent two years on St Kilda's list after the Saints selected the former Murray Bushranger in the 2015 Rookie Draft. 

He served as Werribee’s vice-captain last season and enjoyed arguably his best season for the club being named in the VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad despite playing just 10 games. 

Coughlan will be supported by Brew and Shaun Mannagh who have been named vice-captains. 

Meanwhile, Gribble has taken a back seat and will not feature in the club’s leadership group in 2023. 

Jack Henderson, Kye Declase, Louis Pinnuck and Nick Hayes are the four other members of the leadership group this year. 

“To be able to lead with the support of Brewy and Shaun who I grew up with in Albury is a pretty cool thing,” Coughlan added.

“The leadership group we have is very strong and to have those guys and former captains in Sods (Michael Sodomaco) and Grib as sounding boards will be so helpful as we chase the on-field success we hope to achieve.”

Werribee coach Michael Barlow said Coughlan was an outstanding choice to lead the club. 

“Nick’s been a constant leadership group member since he arrived at the club and has an incredible ability to impact on-field as well as educate and upskill players off the field,” he said.

“With a shift to a sole captaincy model he’ll be ably supported by Dom and Shaun, two players who have great trust amongst the team and show amazing care to everyone and all areas of our club.

“Although Tom has made the decision to step away from leadership responsibilities, we’re looking forward to him continuing to elevate himself as one of the competition’s best players.”

The club also named a group of emerging leaders.  

Jesse Clark heads up the development group leadership team with Jay Dahlhaus, Matt Keast, Lucas Rocci and Gennaro Bove the other members.  

Werribee will contest its first official practice match of the preseason this Saturday with the team set to take on Frankston on neutral territory.

The Big W takes plays the Dolphins in the second of three games as part of the Victorian Standalone Carnival being held at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve.

Coach Michel Barlow has picked a strong 28-man squad for the encounter, the first of three practice games the club will play before kicking off the 2023 Smithy's VFL season on March 25 against Brisbane.

Werribee’s match against Frankston and the day's other two matches (Northern Bullants v Williamstown, 10:45am & Coburg v Port Melbourne, 3:15pm) will be live streamed via Cluch TV.

Werribee supporters attending Saturday's practice match will be able to purchase 2023 memberships on the day or can sign up now by visiting the WFC Online Shop HERE.

PRACTICE MATCH 1
Werribee vs Frankston
Saturday 4th March, 1:00pm
Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn
WATCH LIVE HERE