The club held the Annual General Meeting for members last week in Chirnsides by the River @ Avalon Airport Oval. 

The Werribee Football Club farewelled the 2020 year with the Annual General Meeting in its function venue Chirnsides by the River on Wednesday February 24th.

President Martin Carter reflected on a unique year in the club’s history. The anticipation of the 2020 football season was soon replaced with the realities of dealing with a global pandemic and the effect on the community, the club and the people.

The impact was immediate, with no football but still with a business to run and livelihoods dependent on the viability of the club.

Carter praised the sacrifices made by staff across every area of the club. From the players’ offer to play for nothing to staff working on reduced pay but still maintaining the usual level of commitment and professionalism. The flexibility and resilience of the board and the staff was acknowledged by the President and the Board, who also were glowing in their praise of the loyalty shown by sponsors and members in sticking with the club during a NO football season. Ballan Holden is no longer an entity but the support of the Ballan Family will continue as major sponsors as they relaunch into a new post Holden era.  

The financial ramifications will be felt for some time, with the club recording a loss of $1.58 million. This is foreign territory as the club has worked diligently to eradicate debt and build its sustainability over a number of years. The pandemic blindsided nations, multi-national corporations and the richest people on the planet. So, it’s no surprise it has had its effect on the Werribee Football Club.

The club has a new senior coach, with Michael Barlow replacing Mark Williams, who has rejoined the AFL as a development manager with the Melbourne Football Club.

Simone Bellears has joined the board and Mark Micallef is the new Football Manager, replacing Stu Balloch.

The club has survived the greatest challenge handed to it in its history and enters a new, expanded 2021 competition confident in the knowledge it has a strong board, dedicated staff, a committed football department, staunch commercial partners and true blue members and supporters.      

New Football Manager appointed: Welcome Mark Micallef. 

The Werribee Football Club is pleased to announce that Mark Micallef is joining the club in the role of Football Manager.

CEO Mark Penaluna welcomed Mark to Avalon Airport Oval: “We had an outstanding field of candidates to replace Stu Balloch and we are really happy that someone of Mark’s experience and quality was available. Hamish MacInnes has done a terrific job in the short term and he will continue to be involved in the footy department as well as his ongoing and very important role as our Community Development Manager.”

Mark Micallef has a long history in AFL football including being list manager at the Fremantle Football Club and recruiting roles with Adelaide, Essendon and Gold Coast. Mark is also an accredited player agent and has certificates in fitness.   

So keen is Micallef, he is starting work immediately: “I am super excited to be joining the Werribee Football Club. I am extremely grateful to be part of such a successful and strong club that has all the pillars in place to achieve sustained success. Werribee’s strong affiliation with the community and our promising playing list made this role extremely appealing. I am really looking forward to forging strong relationships with all involved at the club.”

The official word today from HQ regarding the make up of the new look VFL competition. 

The AFL today announced the 2021 VFL season is set to begin on Saturday April 17, which will see state league men’s footy return to Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales after a 2020 season affected by COVID-19.

The home and away season will feature 22 clubs from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and will consist of a 16-game season across 19 rounds. The largest second-tier football competition in Australia will provide all players with a premium standard of football with VFL matches played in Queensland and New South Wales for the first time.

A Top Eight Finals structure will commence on Saturday August 28 with the VFL Grand Final to be held on the weekend of September 18/19. All clubs will have three allocated byes to provide an added level of flexibility to adjust where required.

The VFL Competition will integrate into a streamlined calendar for men’s football with the 2021 NAB League Boys, with both seasons running concurrently with the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

The 2021 fixture is set to be released at the end of February given the connection to the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The involvement of AFL-listed players from 14 AFL clubs in the VFL competition is central to the fixturing of the season. All clubs and fans have shown resilience and patience ahead of the fixture release.

All clubs have commenced preseason training and are following the return-to-train protocols and guidelines established by the AFL. Club practice matches will commence in March.

Clubs:
Standalone Clubs: Aspley, Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport, Werribee, Williamstown
Standalone AFL Clubs: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney Swans
Aligned Clubs: Sandringham, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons

All clubs will have connections to community clubs and pathway programs, including a varied alignment to Under-19 NAB League Clubs for Victorian-based teams and state league programs for New South Wales and Queensland-based teams.

The AFL will continue to work with all AFL Clubs on their non-selected AFL players ahead of their respective 2021 seasons and their involvement in state league football.

The AFL will continue to review all arrangements including return-to-play protocols and the return of fans to matches in consultation with clubs, the various State Governments and respective Health Officers to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in this competition remains the priority.

In a recruiting coup Werribee has landed the signature of SANFL premiership player Nick Hayes.

The former Woodville - West Torrens star chose Avalon Airport Oval as his new football home after discussions with former Werribee coach Mark Williams.

Hayes told the Big W podcast about his decision:

“I had a meeting with Choco and Hamish (MacInnes) and after chatting to them about the club, that was where I wanted to play my footy. I think they had a lot of similar values to Woodville. A stand alone club and a real community and team atmosphere. That was what I was looking for, so I signed. I like playing at the highest level I can, for as long as I can, so my aim was always to go to a VFL club. I still have that hunger to play, I still love the game and think I can still contribute to a winning team.”

Werribee senior coach Mick Barlow is very happy with Hayes’ arrival:

“It is a unique move. I rock up and here is a 27 year old SANFL premiership player who plays a high half forward role and has a bit if variety in his play. It was a good Christmas present, to be honest. It is good to have Nick on board as well as a couple of others like Wylie Buzza and Matt Lobbe, who hasn’t played a game for Werribee yet.”