Michael Sodomaco heads the leadership group for 2021. 

A key cog at every football club is the leadership group, and with round one done and dusted, we take a look at the strong group of on-field leaders steering Werribee towards a second straight finals appearance.

Led by veteran captain of six years Michael Sodomaco, the leadership group is a mixture of experience and youth who will galvanise the playing group and set standards for the whole club.

Supporting Sodomaco is returning vice captain, Matt Hanson, with Tom Gribble and Nick Coughlan also joining him in sharing the role. Rounding out the group is Dominic Brew, Max Spencer and Jack Henderson, with the latter two stepping into the group for the very first time.

Sodomaco is honoured to captain Werrribee for the sixth straight season, and is proud of the journey the club has taken during his time in charge.

“Werribee Football Club has been a massive part of my entire adult life and I take great pride in leaving it in a better position than when I started. During my captaincy we've seen a huge transition from an aligned club to a standalone club in brand new facilities, and now in a new competition format. Now is the time to consolidate and become a club that is regularly challenging for the premiership,” said Sodomaco.

Season 2021 is set to be one quite like no other, with the expansion of the VFL into the northern states, a challenge which Sodomaco is confident the leaders of the club have embraced.

“One of the most important roles leaders play is to drive a clear vision for everyone to work towards. The new competition presents a number of unique circumstances that all teams will have to deal with. With a strong vision of what we're working towards, we can put steps in place to get there - whatever obstacles pop up,” he said.

The inclusion of youth to the group - in the form of 24 year old Spencer and 21 year old Henderson - excites Sodomaco, with both players seen as the future of the club.

“The two new additions to the group are Jack Henderson and Max Spencer, both of which have a bright future ahead of them at the club. I'm excited for them to get a taste of things this year because they'll be the guys to drive the club forward once us older blokes hang the boots up,” said Sodomaco.

Catch Sodomaco leading the Big W in the round two clash with Williamstown at Avalon Airport Oval this Saturday night. The first bounce is at 7pm. 

Article by Joseph Turmine. 

The well travelled Ryan Pendlebury has landed at Avalon Airport Oval. 

Ryan Pendlebury signs with Werribee for 2021     

By Joseph Turmine

The Werribee Football Club is excited to announce the signing of former Bendigo, Collingwood reserves and Port Melbourne defender Ryan Pendlebury. 28 year old Pendlebury put pen to paper with the ‘Bees after spending the summer plying his trade for the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL.

Pendlebury has over 100 VFL games across eight seasons under his belt and was selected in the 2015 VFL Team of the Year. He is the younger brother of Collingwood legend Scott and has recently moved to the Werribee area. He will help lead the Werribee defensive unit alongside the likes of Michael Sodamaco, Nick Coughlan and Max Spencer.

Werribee Head Coach Michael Barlow said that crossing paths during the NTFL season, where Barlow was playing for Southern Districts, led to the signing of Pendlebury.

“Ryan had moved to Werribee and a chance encounter in Darwin between him and I led to a chat about what his footy aspirations for 2021 were,” said Barlow. “It made a lot of sense for us as we want to promote locals of the area to be attached to the club as well as our metro Melbourne and Geelong cohorts.”

The signing of Pendlebury is more than just an on-field investment for the club, with Barlow adding that Ryan is excited about giving back to the club and local community.

“Ryan’s a guy with coaching aspirations and also wants to be connected with our club's Community Engagement program. So we see it as a medium to long term arrangement rather than just an on field 2021 impact for Ryan.”

The addition of Pendlebury will strengthen a Werribee squad looking to better 2019’s fifth placed finish. That quest will begin at 2:30pm on Saturday April 17 at Avalon Airport Oval against Collingwood as part of Round One of the new look VFL competition.

The fixture is out for the 2021 season and we start with a couple of home blockbusters.

The 2021 VFL Season in a nutshell for Werribee members and supporters

• 22 clubs across 3 states
• 19 rounds with 16 games and 3 byes
• Rounds 1, 2 & 3 at Avalon Airport Oval
• 8 home games in all
• 1 interstate trip to play Southport on the Gold Coast

President Martin Carter summed up the feelings of everyone at the club.

"It will have been 616 days between our last home game - August 10th 2019 - to when the Big W graces our turf again on Saturday April 17th. It seems like an eternity, so we are all a bit excited”

President Martin Carter summed up the feelings of everyone at the club.

“I can assure the football community that we’ve left no stone unturned in assuring that we are more than competitive in a revamped VFL. Do yourself a favour and sign up or renew your membership as soon as you can because the Werribee boys are back in town. At this stage the starting times and game day details have only been released for rounds one and two and the fixture will remain a fluid document during the season. I am sure we can all work with that and the new systems required to watch games live. I urge all members and supporters to monitor our website and social media platforms to be aware of the new ticketing system introduced to adhere to covid protocols”

Round 1:  Saturday April 17th @ Avalon Airport Oval @ Chirnside Park

Werribee v Collingwood  2.30pm

Round 2:  Saturday April 24th @ Avalon Airport Oval @ Chirnside Park

Werribee v Williamstown  7pm

Tom Gribble and Donald McDonald feature in the latest BIG W Podcast.

The reigning Liston medalist talks about a year with no footy and his desire for 2021 plus the man who held the cup aloft in 1993 is getting ready to hit the turf at Avalon Airport Oval soon. Tom Gribble and Donald McDonald are the guests on the latest podcast thanks to Corio Waste, ABC Homes, Bendigo Bank and KFC.