With less than two weeks until the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season begins, Werribee is close to finalising its list after securing the signatures of three former Port Melbourne teammates.

Sam Allen, Spencer Johnson, and Cameron Wild have all joined the club, with Johnson making his return at Werribee after originally spending the 2022 season as a rookie.

2025 is Johnson’s fourth season at VFL level. His 2023 season with the Northern Bullants was a breakout campaign, playing 17 games, averaging over 21 disposals and five marks per match. He finished third in the Bullants’ best and fairest and was a finalist for the league’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, finishing behind eventual winner, Werribee’s Sam Clohesy. 2024 saw Johnson change to Port Melbourne, playing six games.

The 23-year-old Johnson currently plays for Altona at the local level, having also played his junior football there before representing the Western Jets in the NAB League during his Under-18 years.

Cam Wild joins Werribee after spending the 2024 season with Port Melbourne. The 23-year-old inside midfielder makes the switch with 16 games of VFL experience under his belt.

Like Johnson, Wild played for the Bullants in 2023 before moving to Port Melbourne last season. In his debut VFL campaign, he made an immediate impact, collecting 22 disposals in a win over Sydney and maintaining strong form to average 23 disposals and 10 contested possessions per game. In 2024, he made his Port Melbourne debut in Round 5 against Gold Coast and went on to average 16 disposals and four tackles per game for the Borough.

Wild brings a wealth of senior football experience to Werribee, having debuted at state league level with SANFL club Central District during the COVID-affected 2020 season. He has also played in the Northern Territory, representing NTFL clubs Nightcliff and Waratah, and currently represents Hurstbridge in the Northern Football League.

Sam Allen rounds out the trio of new recruits, with the 23-year-old making his VFL debut with Port Melbourne in 2024 after previously spending time with Box Hill.

The key defender finished last season on a strong note, taking six marks in a Round 21 win over the Northern Bullants. At local level, he played with Park Orchards in the Eastern Football League, playing a key role in their Grand Final campaign.

Allen has impressed throughout Werribee’s pre-season, featuring in all three practice matches so far.

The trio played together in Port Melbourne’s Round 21 win over the Bullants and have already shared the field in Werribee’s first practice match against Frankston last month. They’ll be joined at Werribee by a fourth former Port Melbourne teammate, Harry Maguire, who signed with the club for the 2025 season, with his signing announced in January.

With the Smithy’s VFL season now just 11 days away, Werribee shifts its focus to its final practice match against Footscray at Whitten Oval this Saturday.

In their third practice match of the pre-season, Werribee fell to Williamstown on Friday night at Deakin University.

After trailing by 21 points at the main break, the young Werribee side went down 1.2 (8) to 10.16 (76). The squad featured 27 players, including 22 new faces for the 2025 season, as Werribee continues to rotate its list leading up to Round 1.

The game saw the return of Dom Brew in The Big W for his first hit-out since training with the Western Bulldogs over the pre-season.

Premiership player Harry Grintell also returned and recruit Jake Lohmann, who brings VFL experience, pulled on the Werribee jumper for the first time.

Werribee and Williamstown were level at quarter-time with one goal each, as new recruit Cam Wild from Port Melbourne, pounced on a loose ball to finish truly for Werribee’s first-quarter goal.

Werribee’s defence held up well in the first half, restricting Williamstown to just three goals. Ryan Eyers, who has impressed throughout the pre-season since joining from Geelong, was a standout down back before being rested for the second half.

More rotations came after half-time, but Williamstown broke away with a seven-goal second half.

Senior coach Jimmy Allan praised the young side, bringing out positives from the day despite the margin, “Despite the scoreline, there is no doubt that it was a positive night for the footy club. We were able to expose 22 players who are new into our program to VFL and the experience they gained from testing themselves against a really strong Williamstown outfit is invaluable.”

Allan added, “The majority of our senior regulars who had the week off, will play this week and they can’t wait to crack in on Saturday.”

Werribee now turns its attention to the final practice match against Footscray at Whitten Oval on Saturday, with the Smithy’s VFL season just 12 days away.

MATCH GALLERY – VIEW HERE

Next Match – Practice Match 4
Werribee vs Footscray
Saturday March 15, 3:00PM
Whitten Oval, Footscray

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Jesse Clark has been appointed captain of the reigning Premiers for season 2025.

Entering his sixth season at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, 24-year-old Clark has served his leadership apprenticeship under some of the club’s finest leaders and comes to the role with strong support on and off the field.

Clark will have the vastly experienced pair of Dom Brew (vice-captain) and Louis Pinnuck (deputy vice-captain) beside him, plus Angus Hicks and Jay Dahlhaus in the main leadership group.

Senior coach Jimmy Allan sees Clark’s appointment as a natural progression.

"Jesse ticks every box on the leadership checklist. He is a team first player, who is calm under pressure, and has a way of connecting with all club stakeholders. Most importantly, he can be trusted to do his job.”

“We are in a fortunate position that Jesse will receive fantastic support from Dom, Louis, Angus and Jay, who have all developed into terrific leaders in their own right.”

Club President Martin Carter said the Board 100% approved the appointment and acknowledged the rich position the club finds itself in.

“Jesse, Dom and Louis would be great captains at any club in this competition, such are their talents. Their commitment, selflessness and vision will unite the club for the challenges of 2025.”       

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.

Werribee is set to play their third practice match in preparation for the 2025 VFL season, with a trip south to Geelong this Friday night.

Following a 33-point victory over the Northern Bullants at Mars Stadium last weekend, Werribee will look to build momentum and make it two in a row when they take on Williamstown on Friday.

The match will be held at Deakin University in Geelong, featuring four 25-minute quarters with no time-on. The first bounce is scheduled for 6:30pm.

With four practice matches in the lead-up to the Smithy’s VFL season, Werribee will continue rotating its squad after fielding 26 players last week, ensuring valuable minutes for all in preparation for the season ahead.

Williamstown will also play its third practice match in as many weeks, following wins over the Northern Bullants and then Coburg in the VFL standalone carnival.

PRACTICE MATCH 3
Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday March 7, 6:30pm
Deakin Geelong Stadium, Geelong

See Werribee's 27-man squad for Friday's third practice match below.

Following our recent 2024 VFL Premiership success, the Werribee Football Club is excited to announce that our full suite of membership packages are now available for 2025.

2024 will forever be remembered for the drought-breaking Premiership, and in 2025... WE’RE GOING AGAIN. ARE YOU?

Sign up as a member for 2025 via this link.