Werribee has added another mid-season draftee but this time a familiar face in Kye Declase who is back at the club for 2022.

Picked by Melbourne with the 15th selection in June’s Mid-Season Draft, the classy 195cm winger returns to Avalon Airport Oval with more strings to his bow and a point to prove after finishing 2021 with the AFL premiers.   

Having joined Werribee in 2018 the 25-year-old is set to embark on his fifth season at the club.   

“Werribee helped me get to AFL level, so it was an easy decision to come back to the club that got me there,” Declase said.    

“I definitely feel I come back as a better player after being in a full-time environment where you’re working on your strengths and weaknesses…I’ve learnt a lot.   

“The physicality and the quickness of the AFL game is very different to VFL and just training at that level has put me in good stead to play good VFL footy and perform at my best.   

“As a team, the goal is to succeed on the field and bring home some silverware at the end of the year, and for me personally I want to play good footy and get back on an AFL list.”   

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said regaining Declase had provided a significant boost to the list ahead of next season.   

“We’re really excited to have Kye back at the club, obviously he was picked up by Melbourne in the mid-season draft this past season and gained some really good experience,” he said.   

“As a player Kye is extremely athletic and can get up and down the ground really well, and then with his size he can go forward and take a strong overhead mark.  

“He’s a great character and was keen to come back to Werribee where he knows what the group’s ambitions are and we look forward to his contribution in 2022.”  

Werribee had pounced to secure mid-season draftee Charlie Ham for 2022.   

Ham started the 2021 season with the Geelong Falcons before joining North Melbourne via the Mid-Season Draft with the Roos picking the small defender with their second selection, pick 16 overall.  

The 19-year-old spent the remainder of the campaign at Ardern Street, playing four games in the VFL, including the round 11 matchup against Werribee.  

A running half-back with a racking left foot, Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said, Ham would be a quality addition to the team.     

“After spending the second half of the season with North Melbourne as a Mid-Season draftee we’re delighted to add Charlie to our program,” he said. 

“Charlie is an attacking half-back with a penetrating left foot kick but is also someone who will spend time playing on a wing.  

“We think he fits well with our group and being from the Geelong region he already knows a lot of the guys here.”  

Ham hopes to have a big impact in his first full season at VFL level and said he was thrilled to be joining a top-class environment.  

“I’m so happy to make a decision and sign with Werribee and get stuck into training again with a team,” he said. 

“I haven’t trained with a team for a while so it’s good to get started with the boys, I know a lot of faces here already so I’m feeling pretty comfortable. 

“I’m really impressed with the professionalism of the club.

"I came here probably two years ago to check it out and to now be here and see the staff and everyone so invested with the players, it’s top tier especially for a standalone club. 

“I’m excited for next year and just want to continue to use my strengths which is my running and kicking, and see where things can go from there.”  

Cassar spent the past two years on Footscray’s list and will be aiming to make his VFL debut with Werribee in 2022. 

He played 11 games with Keilor this past season where he kicked just under a goal a game and was named in the team’s best two players on four occasions.  

The 20-year-old mid/forward is another player that has been recruited for his speed, ball use and ability to play multiple positions.  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was great to have Cassar on board.  

“Darcy hails from the Western Jets and Keilor Football Club, spent the past two years on Footscray’s VFL list and comes to us highly sort after,” he said. 

“He’s a highly talented mid/forward, he has really good athletic capabilities, attacks the lanes well and makes really good decisions with ball in hand. 

“With Darcy’s ability to play midfield and forward he’s someone we can see making an impact relatively early.” 

A former teammate of Lucas Rocci, Connor Thar and Harrison White at the Western Jets, Cassar said he was thrilled to be a part of his new club. 

“I’ve had a bit of contact with Werribee in the past and decided to make the move over, I’m excited to be here and have loved the first few weeks,” he said.

“My strengths are my speed, first few steps, run and carry, and goal kicking.  

“Hopefully I get a few games. Position wise I’m happy to play wherever; half-forward, wing or half-back.” 

For those who can’t wait for the footy to return, the good news is it will be back sooner than normal in 2022.

The AFL has announced that an 18-game 22-round VFL season will begin on Saturday, March 26th.

The 2022 competition will feature 21 clubs (Victoria 16, Queensland 3, NSW 2) who will all have nine home games and four byes. The fixture will be released following the announcement of the AFL draw.

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna welcomed the earlier start.

“It is terrific as it allows us to move forward with our club planning for membership, club events and match day activities," he siad.

"We have been so fortunate that our sponsors and members have stuck with us and I am sure we will present a high quality product that the people of the City of Wyndham are proud of, whether we are playing at Avalon Airport Oval, the Sydney Cricket Ground or The Gabba.”

The start of the new season can’t come quickly enough for the players and coaches, according to Football Manager Mark Micallef.

“We’re really pleased. This news gives us clarity on planning for our pre-season," he said.

"Our high performance team has done a lot of work already in getting our players conditioned to withstand the rigours of a full season after just nine games in the past two years.

"The players have returned to training and the entire football department is excited by the group we have assembled.”