Werribee kicked off its pre-season with a three-week trial period, giving standout performers from local competitions and the Coates Talent League the chance to train alongside the squad. This program allows coaches to assess players through VFL-level fitness tests, game sense drills, and match-play scenarios.

The initiative has proven successful in the past, with Bior Malual and 2024 VFL Team of the Year squad member Jack Riding earning their spots after impressing during these trials.

18-year-old Noah Tullio is one of signings from the club’s recent trials, joined by Cooper Ward as the Geelong Falcons pair become the two youngest players on the list.

The 169cm Tullio had a very strong season as a pressure forward who can work into the midfield. He played 16 games for the Falcons, kicking 16 goals, being named in the best nine times and earning selection for Vic Country throughout 2024.

A Werribee local, the small forward played for Werribee Districts in his juniors before moving to the GFNL’s Newtown & Chilwell in 2015.

Coates Talent League teammate Cooper Ward joins Werribee after a standout campaign for the Falcons, where he finished fourth in their best-and-fairest and booted 27 goals in 16 games. The 18-year-old showcased his goal-scoring ability at senior level too, kicking 29 goals in his 16 games for Barwon Heads in the Bellarine Football League over the past two seasons.

Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval is already familiar territory for Ward, who produced a dominant seven-goal, 17-disposal, 11-scoring-shot performance against Oakleigh Chargers last July.

Nine other players from the trial process, including Fergus Pinnuck, brother of 100-game veteran Louis, will train with Werribee in 2025. This pathway saw Charlie Byrne emerge and make his debut during last season.

Rounding out the club's new signings is Liam Kershaw, who continues the Kershaw name at the club. Matt, his father, was assistant coach for five seasons under both John Lamont and Mark ‘Choco’ Williams.

A 194cm wingmen, Kershaw is another Geelong Falcon graduate and had a breakout season in 2024. He averaged 17 disposals and six marks per game earning a call up to the Young Guns program, a showcase of the state's best under 18 boys footballers. Kershaw joins Werribee with VFL experience under his belt, debuting for the Geelong Cats VFL side in Round 17.

Pictured: Liam Kershaw being presented with his Geelong guernsey ahead of his VFL debut in July, 2024.

Few have been part of the Werribee Football Club longer than CEO Mark Penaluna, but one constant over the years has been Corio Waste Management.

An Australian-owned, family-run business, Corio Waste Management (CWM) provides waste management services across Greater Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and the Surf Coast. As Werribee prepares for the 2025 VFL season, the club is proud to celebrate 24 years of continuous partnership with CWM and the Dickens family.

Founded in 1996 by Ken Dickens with just one truck and one bin, Corio Waste Management has grown into a thriving business with more than 30 trucks and over 70 employees. Reflecting on the milestone, Werribee Football Club CEO Mark Penaluna praised the long-standing relationship.

“The Dickens family share similar values with our club, particularly their commitment to the community, and their support extends across many local organisations.”

Penaluna continued, “We are incredibly grateful for their long-term support of Werribee Football Club. Nothing is ever a hassle, and the team at Corio Waste Management consistently goes above and beyond in their service and support, just as they have throughout my entire tenure at the club.”

Find out more about Corio Waste Management via this link.

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 has kept the momentum going in its busy pre-season, with Jack Grundy and Harry Maguire the latest pair to sign with the Big W for the upcoming 2025 VFL season.

The two, aged 23 and 24, are both experienced footballers, with Grundy holding over 100 games of senior football to his name, and Maguire having pulled on the boots for two different VFL sides across the last three seasons.

Harry Maguire joins Werribee from standalone VFL side Port Melbourne, where he played 11 games in 2024.

Standing over 190cm, the versatile key-position player split his time all around the group last season at VFL level, averaging 10 disposals per game and kicking eight goals—including a three-goal haul against Coburg in Round 7.

Originally from New South Wales, Maguire came through the Sydney Swans Academy and made his NEAFL and VFL debuts with Sydney, playing 10 state league games before making the move to Victoria. He split his time with Pennant Hills locally, where he shone in 2023, winning the AFL Sydney Premier Division League Best and Fairest and earning a spot in the Team of the Year.

Maguire is no stranger to Avalon Airport Oval, having starred on the biggest stage in the Western Football Netball League Grand Final just last year. Playing for local side Hoppers Crossing, he kicked four goals in a match-winning performance, leading Hoppers to a thrilling one-point victory over long-time rivals Werribee Districts.

Speaking on Maguire’s addition to the club, Football Manager Ash Collins said “We're excited to add more VFL experience with Harry. He impressed in his season in the VFL last season and, prior to that, dominated forward with Pennant Hills in Sydney. We look forward to what he can bring to the team.”

Jackson Grundy earns his first VFL opportunity out of North Warrnambool in the Hampden Football Netball League.

The 23-year-old inside midfielder brings plenty of senior experience, having reached the 100-game milestone for the Eagles in 2024. Grundy was the runner-up in North Warrnambool’s 2024 best and fairest as they reached the Grand Final.

Grundy is also the second member of the HFNL 2024 Team of the Year to sign with Werribee for 2025, joining South Warrnambool’s Myles McCluggage.

Outside of the Hampden League, Grundy also has experience in the NTFL, where he spent the 2023-24 season playing for Dom Brew's former club Nightcliff, featuring in nine Premier Division games and kicking six goals.

Collins added “Jackson is an in-and-under midfielder with great form down in Warrnambool”, Collins said. “He's highly regarded in the Hampden League, and we're looking forward to seeing him with us this year."

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.