Werribee’s Operations Manager Zach Thornton who has spent seven years with Werribee has left to pursue a new career in the music industry with Good Neighbour, part of the Mushroom Group.

A proud City of Wyndham local, Thornton’s association with Werribee Football Club began well before his full-time employment. As part of a university placement in 2015, he worked as an intern under Mark Penaluna. A few years later, a chance meeting with the Werribee CEO at Eagle Stadium, while Thornton was working for Western Leisure Services, led to his appointment as a casual Match Day Manager for the 2018 season.

In his first season in 2018, Thornton worked from portable offices located at the back of Avalon Airport Oval while the venue underwent extensive redevelopments. Returning in 2019, as the upgraded facilities opened, Thornton’s role also advanced as he secured a full-time position as Memberships & Match Day Manager.

Throughout the challenges to the competition posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the cancellation of the entire 2020 season and the latter half of 2021, Thornton remained working with the club and emerged from the pandemic as Werribee’s Operations Manager following the 2022 season.

Looking back on his time at the club, Thornton said, “I'm incredibly proud to have been part of such an important institution in my hometown these past seven years.”

He added, “Pena and WFC have been very kind to me and if I can depart with the belief that I've left an imprint on the club for the better then I leave a happy man.”

Mark Penaluna, the man who brought Zach to the club in 2018, said, “Zach will leave a significant hole but a positive legacy with our club, possibly none more so than how he carried himself as a young man during the COVID pandemic. We wish him absolutely the best with his future endeavours.”

Replacing Thornton is Sam Wharton, who brings prior experience from fellow standalone VFL club Port Melbourne and most recently, the not-for-profit organisation Reclink. Wharton has already spent six weeks settling into his new role.

One of the proudest partnerships in VFL football will continue into a 26th season in 2025, with CB Motor Group returning as the Werribee’s major sponsor once again next season.

The family business which started as Ballan Holden in 1978 has been incorporated with the football club since becoming major sponsor in 2000.

Tino Ballan, founder of CB Motor Group, has long held a deep connection with the Werribee Football Club, predating his time as major sponsor. His two sons, Paul (Werribee Football Club player #450) and Mark (Werribee Football Club player #452), both played for at least four seasons starting in 1994.

Speaking as the partnership continues into its 26th season, Tino said, “When the opportunity came for us, formerly Ballan Holden now CB Motor Group, to be major sponsor I took it.” He added, “I first came to Werribee in 1958 and in that time built successful businesses and supported locals. My perseverance and belief in business is something that I felt for the Werribee Football Club.”

Reaching the quarter of a century milestone in 2024, Tino Ballan and the CB Motor Group family celebrated the ultimate success this season, as Werribee broke a 31-year premiership drought and defeated Southport by six points in a thrilling Grand Final win.

Reflecting on the premiership success, Tino expressed, “I believed in them and this year capped off that belief with the club winning the Premiership. The excitement I felt was elation, I have not felt that way since my kids and Grandchildren were born.”

Tino also shared his appreciation for culture of the club: “This sense of community is a very big part of my sponsorship and I am so proud to sponsor for the 2025 season ahead.” This sentiment was echoed by Werribee star Dom Brew during his acceptance speech for a second consecutive club best-and-fairest award at the club’s end-of-season Bruce Montgomery Night. Brew said, “Tino your support for the club, you and your family, that’s just phenomenal - Thank you to you and your family for your constant support, it’s absolutely huge.”

The Werribee connection is unmissable, with premiership merchandise adorned across the CB Motor Group premises, and the Ballan family rarely miss a home game.

CEO Mark Penaluna praised the CB Motor Group, saying “The Ballan family have shown unbelievable loyalty to our club, which in many ways has been epitomised by 25 years of service.”

“Both they and the club have longed for the ultimate prize and now, like the rest of us, yearn for the club’s continued improvement. Together, I know we’ll be doing all we can for a successful 2025.”

Werribee’s Team of the Year star full-back Nathan Cooper has decided to call time on his VFL footballing career.

Cooper finishes his career on the ultimate high, stepping away as a premiership player after a four-year career with Werribee, where he built the reputation as one of the VFL's best key defenders. He finishes with over 50 games for Werribee and more than 100 at the state league level.

Reflecting on his four-year tenure with the club, Cooper I have absolutely loved my four years at Werribee. I'd like to thank everyone involved with the club both on and off field for making it such a great place to play footy."

He added, "To top it off with a Premiership is truly unforgettable."

Nathan Cooper joined Werribee ahead of the 2021 season with four years and 45 games of NEAFL experience, the first two seasons with the Swans Reserves having come through their academy, before spending a further two years with Sydney University.

He made the move south to Richmond VFL in 2020, but when the season was cancelled without a match being played due to the COVID pandemic, he cut ties with the Tigers and made his way to Avalon Airport Oval; a switch that came at the recommendation of former Werribee players Ryan Hebron who was a teammate of Cooper in Sydney and Alex Marklew who he played with in Wangaratta.

The defender did not take long to find his way into Werribee’s side, debuting Round 1 of 2021, alongside fellow retiree Nick Hayes against Collingwood, with former club coach and captain Simon Atkins presenting him his guernsey pre-game.

Cooper featured in Werribee’s best players in the each of the first three games before putting in more strong showings at Box Hill and against the Northern Bullants in his debut season, with coach Michael Barlow singing his praises in his first campaign; “Nathan is a player that’s come to our club for more consistent VFL opportunities which he’s gained through a really good preseason.” He added, “Accountability to role is a real strength of his and competing one-one-one where he is able to win or half contests and follow up at ground level where he’s very agile and nimble. He is rarely beaten.”

2022 was an injury affected season for Cooper, but 2023 was a true breakout season for the key defender. He managed to play all 21 games in Werribee’s Grand Final campaign, the first season he failed to miss a match in his state league career, and played a key role in the reason as to why Werribee was the best key defensive team in the competition. He was rewarded with Werribee’s Defensive Player of the Year and earned his first top five best-and-fairest finish for the club.

His impressive 2023 campaign also earned Cooper a spot in the VFL’s representative side as the Big V returned to state of origin footy to take on the SANFL at the start of 2024.

The defender showed no signs of slowing down to begin his 2024 campaign and was named in the best in Werribee’s thrilling Round 2 win against Southport. Cooper showed his defensive best in the first half of the season, notably keeping both North Melbourne forward Tyler Sellers, and 2023 leading goalkicker Brodie McLaughlan goalless. In Round 13 Cooper picked new career-highs in disposals and marks in another best afield game, before picking up a syndesmosis injury the week later sidelining him until finals.

After nine weeks on the sidelines, Cooper returned for finals and showed why he’s considered one of the best key defenders in the competition, limiting AFL veteran Gary Rohan to just six disposals while collecting 14 disposals, seven marks, and five intercept possessions himself.

Cooper bows out on a high, playing a pivotal role in Werribee’s drought-breaking Grand Final victory, capping off his VFL career as a premiership player. At the VFL Awards Night the defender was awarded with his first career Team of the Year selection, and at Werribee’s Bruce Montgomery Trophy night claimed his second consecutive Best Defensive Player award.

Cooper will still be having a kick with Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League and everyone at the club wishes him the best of luck.

Werribee is pleased to announce a further four acquisitions to the football club, with a mix of midfielders and forwards aged 24 and under joining ahead of next year’s VFL campaign.

Exciting forward Jake Lohmann brings three years of VFL experience as he makes the move south from Queensland. Joining him are Anthony Depasquale, Archer Gardiner, and Myles McCluggage, all arriving at Avalon Airport Oval after outstanding local campaigns in 2024.

Jake Lohmann and Myles McCluggage have names that ring a bell—and for good reason, with the new Werribee teammates the brothers of Brisbane's AFL premiership teammates, Kai Lohmann and Hugh McCluggage.

Jake Lohmann joins Werribee after spending 2024 with Brisbane's VFL side.

He played six games for the Lions, including a standout Round 6 performance against the Suns, where he gathered 21 disposals, kicked a goal, and was named among Brisbane’s best. Away from the VFL, Lohmann enjoyed a successful 2024 campaign in the QAFL, kicking two goals in Morningside's Grand Final win to secure the premiership.

Before his time in Queensland, Lohmann spent two seasons with Sandringham in the VFL, appearing in 26 games after graduating from the TAC Cup with the GWV Rebels, and in his second season with the Zebras, Lohmann earned the recognition of his peers, coaches, and staff, being voted into the leadership group for the 2023 campaign.

Myles McCluggage joins Werribee after an outstanding season with South Warrnambool in the Hampden Football Netball League, where he earned Team of the Year honours.

The 21-year-old, like Lohmann, has a background with the GWV Rebels, playing across 2021 and 2022, before beginning his senior career with the South Warrnambool Roosters.

This 2024 season saw McCluggage not only earn Team of the Year honours, but also celebrate a premiership victory with the Roosters and bring up his 50th game milestone, capping off his breakout year by securing a VFL contract with Werribee.

Archer Gardiner continues Werribee’s strong connection with the Ovens & Murray league.

The 19-year-old midfielder arrives at Werribee from North Albury, the home club of premiership players Dom Brew and Sam Azzi.

Gardiner joins the VFL with over three seasons of senior football experience, having debuted for the Hoppers at just 16 years of age in 2021. Since then, he has played consistently at senior level, earning multiple accolades across each of the last three years.

In his first full senior season in 2022, Gardiner was awarded Best First Year Player, and this year he claimed his second consecutive Best Under 21 Player award for the club. Gardiner was also one of just two Hoppers selected for the O&M Interleague Side, where he played alongside fellow Werribee newcomer Jedd Longmire earlier in the season, and at this year’s best-and-fairest night, he also took home the Team Player of the Year award, capping off a busy and successful 2024.

Anthony Depasquale joins Werribee after a standout 2024 campaign, with the 21-year-old forward coming to the club from Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

Like Lohmann and McCluggage, Depasquale has NAB League experience, having played for Bendigo Pioneers in 2021. Since then, he has spent three seasons with Kyabram, consistently showcasing his strong goalkicking ability, booting more than 130 goals.

In his firsrt seaosn out of the Pioneers in 2022, at just 19 years of age, Depasquale booted 27 goals from 18 games and was selected to represent the Goulburn league in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Representative Games. He earned that honour again in 2024, kicking a game-high three goals against the Ovens and Murray league, where he played against new Werribee teammates Longmire and Gardiner.

Depasquale's 2024 season was particularly remarkable, as he led the league with an impressive 73 goals from just 19 games, averaging over three and a half goals per game. The medium-sized forward booted a bag of five or more goals on eight different occasions, and matched his previous career-high goal tally within the first seven games of this campaign.