Werribee takes on Essendon in a must-win match at Windy Hill on Sunday.

After three consecutive losses Werribee needs to win its final two home and away games and rely on other results to secure a place in the top eight. 

Round 21 opponents Essendon are arguably the form side of the competition having triumphed in their past three matches to advance to 7-10 in 2022. 

TEAM NEWS
Lochie Smart and Harry Stubbings come into the side to play Essendon and will make their third and fourth appearances of the season respectively. The pair have been named at the expense of Saad El-Hawli and Marty Brennan.

GAME DAY INFORMATION
Sunday's game will be free for all patrons. Entry to the ground is via Napier or Brewster streets.

Round 20 Match Centre

ROUND 21
Werribee vs Essendon
Sunday August 14, 12:05pm
Windy Hill, Essendon

Werribee will end its season at home against the Northern Bullants on Saturday.  

After being ruled out of the finals race with a Round 21 loss to Essendon, the Big W will aim to close out the 2022 campaign with victory over the Bullants to finish as the highest placed Victorian standalaone club.

The Bullants have just one win this season but will enter the match fresh from a week off, and like Werribee, will be hoping to finish the year on a high. 

TEAM NEWS

Werribee will have two debutants against the Bullants with Emmanuel Ajang and Flynn Young set to become players 942 and 943 for the club. Both have had fantastic seasons for Geelong West and Grovedale respectively.

Developing key forward Sam Paea and utility Tom Boyd have also earned recalls for the final round. Making way this week are Marty Brennan, Noah Gribble, Harry Stubbings and Lochie Smart.

MATCH DAY DETAILS

Entry for Round 22 will be FREE for all patrons. Gates will open at 12pm.

Saturday's game includes a Members Appreciation function in Chirnsides By The River from 12:30pm and this year's Past Players & Officials event.

Visit match centre on afl.com.au

Round 22
Werribee vs Northern Bullants
Saturday August 20, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval

Werribee is proud to announce Nick Coughlan as the club’s captain for 2023. 

Coughlan's appointment was revealed to players and staff on Monday night. 

The star defender has played 55 games for Werribee since joining the club in 2018. 

He becomes the 34th player to captain the club with his appointment endorsed by the board and senior management late last week following a player vote. 

Coughlan said he was incredibly humbled to be named captain.

“I didn't think when I first walked into the club that I would one day be captain,” he said.

“From day one I have loved being at Werribee and all of the people past and present have been incredible to work with.”

“I'm very thankful for the trust shown in me by the players, Mick (coach Michael Barlow), Mark Penaluna (CEO) and Martin Carter (President) and the board to lead the club in 2023.”

Coughlan takes over from Dom Brew and Tom Gribble who co-captained the club last season.  

Before arriving at Werribee, Coughlan spent two years on St Kilda's list after the Saints selected the former Murray Bushranger in the 2015 Rookie Draft. 

He served as Werribee’s vice-captain last season and enjoyed arguably his best season for the club being named in the VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad despite playing just 10 games. 

Coughlan will be supported by Brew and Shaun Mannagh who have been named vice-captains. 

Meanwhile, Gribble has taken a back seat and will not feature in the club’s leadership group in 2023. 

Jack Henderson, Kye Declase, Louis Pinnuck and Nick Hayes are the four other members of the leadership group this year. 

“To be able to lead with the support of Brewy and Shaun who I grew up with in Albury is a pretty cool thing,” Coughlan added.

“The leadership group we have is very strong and to have those guys and former captains in Sods (Michael Sodomaco) and Grib as sounding boards will be so helpful as we chase the on-field success we hope to achieve.”

Werribee coach Michael Barlow said Coughlan was an outstanding choice to lead the club. 

“Nick’s been a constant leadership group member since he arrived at the club and has an incredible ability to impact on-field as well as educate and upskill players off the field,” he said.

“With a shift to a sole captaincy model he’ll be ably supported by Dom and Shaun, two players who have great trust amongst the team and show amazing care to everyone and all areas of our club.

“Although Tom has made the decision to step away from leadership responsibilities, we’re looking forward to him continuing to elevate himself as one of the competition’s best players.”

The club also named a group of emerging leaders.  

Jesse Clark heads up the development group leadership team with Jay Dahlhaus, Matt Keast, Lucas Rocci and Gennaro Bove the other members.  

Werribee's first home game in 2022 ended in a disappointing defeat to visiting Southport with the Big W downed by 52 points in their Round 3 contest at Avalon Airport Oval. 

For the second consecutive year in an early season night clash Werribee were jumped in the first quarter with Southport piling on five goals late in the opening term to establish a 34-point lead. 

The clinical visitors increased their margin steadily from there as basic skill errors cost the home team dearly in co-captain Tom Gribble's 100th Werribee game. Gribble was comfortably the Big W's best player leading the team with 29 disposals and two goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Southport took just over a minute to kick the first goal of the game, but it was met with a quick response from Werribee through Logan Wagener's snapped effort. The Sharks added a second major at the six-and-a-half-minute mark but again it took only two minutes for Werribee to reply, this time via a Josh Porter mark and goal. Werribee failed to convert two set-shot opportunities soon after and then Southport tore the game open with six goals in 19 minutes before co-captain Dom Brew pegged one back at the quarter time siren.

Werribee had a couple of opportunities to cut into the deficit to start the second term but instead it was the visitors who took advantage of their first chance five minutes in. The next 15 minutes saw only a single rushed behind for Werribee as both teams battled for field position before the Sharks added a second major. Saad El-Hawli kicked his first Werribee goal after 24 minutes, but Southport’s lead grew to 48 points before Hudson Garoni added a late major.

Down 43 points at the main break things got worse for Werribee once the second half got underway with Southport goaling inside 30 seconds. Michael Sodomaco in his season debut was one who tried to spark Werribee and did so with a goal seven minutes in but the home team was unable to make any inroads through the middle of the quarter. Eventaully Werribee got some reward via Sam Paea and Gribble who had been outstanding up to that point.

In the final term Southport once gain added to its advantage early before second majors to both Paea and Wagener reduced the margin to 28 points. However, any hope of a miraculous Werribee comeback was all but ended over the next eight minutes as Southport restored their dominance on the scoreboard kicking three of the last four goals.

FINAL SCORE

Werribee: 3.2 5.6 8.8 11.12 (78)
Southport: 8.6 12.7 14.12 19.16 (130)

GOALS

Werribee: T. Gribble 2, S. Paea 2, L. Wagener 2, H. Garoni. D. Brew, S. El-Hawli, J. Porter, M. Sodomaco.
Southport: J. Townsend 4, R. King 3, T. Fields 3, B. Gowers 2, J. Williams 2, M. Pescud 2, Z. Foot, J. Joyce, D. Charlesworthy.

BEST

Werribee: T. Gribble, J. Clark, L. Wagener, M. Sodomaco, D. Brew, M. Hanson
Southport:

KEY PLAYERS

Tom Gribble : 29 disposals (15 kicks), 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 5 tackles, 8 score involvements, 2 goals.
Shaun Mannagh: 25 disposals (15 kicks), 14 handball receives, 5 inside 50s, 8 tackles.
Dom Brew: 22 disposals (16 contested), 8 clearances, 9 tackles, 1 goal.
Reuben William: 22 disposals (14 kicks), 6 rebound 50s, 3 inside 50s, 3 score involvements. 
Michael Sodomaco: 19 disposals (17 kicks), 9 rebound 50s, 3 inside 50s, 3 score involvements.
Logan Wagener: 13 disposals, 5 tackles, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE

NEXT MATCH

Werribee vs Williamstown
Friday, April 15, 1.05pm
Downer Oval, Williamstown.

Werribee has lured another ex-Geelong Falcon to Avalon Airport Oval with Noah Lever crossing from Williamstown.  

Lever made his VFL debut in round seven this year and impressed with his work around the contest in 10 games for the Seagulls.  

The 20-year-old midfielder has the ability to win the ball on both the inside and outside and averaged five tackles per game in 2022.  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted to have Lever sign. 

“Noah is a player we had on our radar going back beyond the past year,” he said.  

“He’s a person of impeccable character and is really wanting to build something special with his new teammates, a number of which he’s known for a while.  

“Noah displayed some really good attributes at VFL level this year and, as a versatile midfielder with the ability to work from contest to contest, we’re excited to have him come on board.”  

Werribee Football Club's annual online auction is back in 2022, taking place in August.

This year the major fundraiser will run for the 31st time. Bidding will open at 6pm Wednesday 10 August and close at 6pm Sunday 21 August.

Items available in this year's auction include:
- A landscaping and gardening package courtesy of Creative Gardens
- Home electronics and appliances
- Garmin Vivomove Smartwatches
- Vouchers to spend at local Wyndham restaurants and businesses
- Gym memberships, advertising packages, memorabilia & merchandise

CLINK HERE TO ACCESS THE AUCTION

Donations of items are still be accepted by the club. If you would like contribute to the auction you can email Zach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Several Werribee players and coach Michael Barlow were recognised for outstanding seasons in 2023 at Monday night’s VFL and VFLW Awards at Crown Palladium.

Captain Nick Coughlan, vice-captain’s Dom Brew and Shaun Mannagh and star onballer Tom Gribble all earned VFL Team of the Year hours with Barlow included as coach, while Sam Clohesy received the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal for the most promising player under the age of 24.

In the JJ Liston Trophy count, two-time reigning winner Gribble again went in as one of the favourites before finishing the count third with 21 votes, five behind winner Jarryd Lyons of Brisbane. Mannagh also polled well placing fifth, two votes back of Gribble.

Werribee’s four Team of the Year player selections was the equal most of any side with Grand Final opponent Gold Coast having the same number.

Coughlan was named at centre-half back for the second time after averaging a career high 19.6 disposals per game in 2023, including 7.3 intercepts and 8.1 rebound 50s.

Gribble earned Team of the Year honours for the fourth straight season following a campaign in which he gathered 31.8 disposals per game with 22.7 effective disposals and 6.7 clearances.

Mannagh made it back-to-back selections at half-forward after tallying several career bests with 25.9 disposals and 6.1 tackles amongst others, while also kicking 32 goals in the home and away season.

Brew was picked in the Team of the Year for the first time with averages of 25.8 disposals, 15.3 contested possessions and 7.9 clearances, all career highs, and again topped the league with 176 tackles.

Barlow led Werribee to a 16-2 home and away season record in his third year in charge before adding a further two victories to guide his side into this year’s Smithy’s VFL Grand Final on the back of a club record 17 straight wins.

Clohesy, 20, became the third Werribee player to win the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal in the past five seasons following Josh Corbett in 2018 and Jake Riccardi in 2019.

The athletic rebounding defender has played every game in 2023 and averaged 15.7 disposals, 5.2 marks and 2.3 tackles during the home and away campaign.

The final accolade was VFL Life Membership for Gribble on account of his two JJ Liston Trophy wins, which ensured the 28-year-old again went home with more than one honour.

For a full wrap of the night and all the award winners CLICK HERE.

Top: Sam Clohesy received the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal.
Middle: Werribee's Team of the Year members Nick Coughlan, Tom Gribble, Michael Barlow, Shaun Mannagh and Dom Brew.

A proven recruiting ground has delivered a sought-after key defender for Werribee with Sam Azzi joining the club from North Albury.

Azzi played alongside co-captain Dom Brew at the Hoppers with his signing adding to the long list of players Werribee has recruited from the Ovens and Murray Football League.

The 196cm defender finished runner-up in North Albury’s best and fairest this season after tallying the second most marks and third most contested marks in the O&M.

With several VFL club’s showing interest in Azzi, Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was thrilled to secure his signature.

“We think Sam has a bright future and we’re excited to see what he can develop into at this level,” he said.

“We’ve recruited him as a key defender but he’s a very versatile player having previous played up forward and on the wing.”

Werribee kicked off its preparations for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season with an opening practice match win against Frankston on Saturday.

Taking on the Dolphins in the second of three matches at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve as part of a preseason Victorian standalone club carnival, the Big W came away with a 8.9 (57) to 1.3 (9) result after four 20-minute quarters.

In warm and blustery conditions not conducive to free-flowing football Werribee was strong at the contest across the game with the most of the team’s scoring coming in the second and fourth quarters with seven of eight goals kicked in those two terms.

A host of young players impressed with Matt Keast, Emmanuel Ajang and new recruit Noah Lever among the leading disposal getters. Fellow new signing Harry Grintell was the leading forward with three goals.

The one setback from the day was a leg injury to starting ruckman Sam Conway who looks likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks.   

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 1.2 5.4 5.5 8.9 (57)
Frankston: 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.3 (9)

PLAYER STATS
Matt Keast: 19 disposals (6 K, 13 HB), 6 marks, 3 clearances, 7 tackles.
Tom Gribble: 18 disposals (9 K, 9 HB), 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal.
Noah Lever: 18 disposals (9 K, 9 HB), 3 clearances, 7 tackles, 1 goal.
Emmanuel Ajang: 17 disposals (8 K, 9 HB), 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 6 tackles.
Dom Brew: 16 disposals (10 K, 6 HB), 4 marks, 3 inside 50s, 10 tackles
Sam Clohesy: 16 disposals (6 K, 10 HB), 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s.
Jack Boyd: 12 disposals (7 K, 5 HB), 5 hit-outs, 3 clearances, 3 tackles.  
Harry Grintell: 9 disposals (4 K, 5 HB), 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals.

IMAGE GALLERY – VIEW HERE

THIS WEEK
Werribee vs Geelong
Friday March 10, 7:00pm
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Werribee’s first home outing of the season ended in a 13-point loss to Geelong with a horror day in front of goal costing the hosts in Round 4.

After defeating 2022 runner-up Southport a week prior, the Big W fell to a 5.17 (47) to 9.6 (60) loss against the Cats after kicking just two goals from 15 scoring shots in the second half.

Werribee held a three-point advantage at quarter-time after recovering from a slow start with Nick Hayes’ second goal putting the hosts ahead with nine minutes still to play in the opening stanza.

Josh Porter nailed the first goal of the second term but that would be the team’s last major for more than 50 minutes as two second-quarter Geelong goals was enough to have the visitors leading by one-point at the main break.

At halftime the Big W had double the number of inside 50s compared to their opponents (35-17) as well as topping the contested possession and clearance counts.

Werribee had the chance to retake the lead early in the third quarter but after three straight misses back-to-back Cats goals would again see the visitors ahead on the scoreboard.

A classy dribble finish from Harry Grintell on the brink of three-quarter time gave Werribee its first major since the six-minute mark of the second term while cutting the deficit to four points going into the last.

The early stages of the final quarter would end up being similar to the third, with the Big W again missing a number of gettable chances before Geelong made the most of theirs down the other end.

The Cats’ second major with six minutes remaining would push the difference out to 14 points, the biggest margin of the day, and ultimately confine Werribee to its second loss of the campaign.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 3.4 4.7 5.12 5.17 (47)
Geelong: 3.1 5.2 7.4 9.6 (60)

GOALS
Werribee: N. Hayes 2, H. Grintell, M. Keast, J. Porter.
Geelong:W. Christie 2, H. Lucas, L. Antonac, H. Benson, O. Dempsey, T Feely, M. Knevitt, O. Riccardi.

BEST
Werribee: D. Brew, N. Cooper, L. Pinnuck, M. Sodomaco, J. Henderson, J. Clark.
Geelong:J. Chalcraft, M. Knevitt, D. Capiron, M. Herbert, J. Ceglar, B. Lloyd

ROUND 4 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 27 disposals (13 K, 14 HB), 14 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 6 score involvements, 5 tackles.
Shaun Mannagh: 23 disposals (17 K, 6 HB), 10 handball receives, 5 marks, 8 inside 50s, 9 score involvements, 10 tackles.
Jack Henderson: 21 disposals (7 K 14 HB), 12 contested possessions, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 8 tackles, 5 score involvements.
Michael Sodomaco: 20 disposals (13 K, 7 HB) at 80% efficiency, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s.
Dom Brew: 20 disposals (14 K 6 HB), 12 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 14 tackles.
Louis Pinnuck: 19 disposals (19 K) at 79% efficiency, 11 marks (2 contested, 5 intercept), 5 rebound 50s, 4 inside 50s, 3 tackles.
Wardell Lual: 15 disposals (10 K, 5 HB), 8 marks (1 contested, 4 intercept), 8 tackles, 3 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.   
J. Clark: 15 disposals (12 K, 3 HB), 5 marks (1 contested 2 intercept), 3 tackles, 3 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 score assists.

NEXT MATCH 
Round 5
Werribee vs Williamstown
Saturday 23th April, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval

Werribee suffered its first loss since Round 7 with a narrow three-point loss at Port Melbourne in Round 14.

The Big W fought back from 40 points down following a goalless first half but fell agonisingly short of a remarkable come-from-behind win with inaccuracy in front of goal once again proving costly.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 0.3 0.6 4.11 7.16 (58)
Port Melbourne: 4.1 7.4 8.4 9.7 (61)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Manngh 2, J. Dahlhaus 2, A. Lual 2, T. Boyd.
Port Melbourne: A. Anastasio 2, F. Roberts, H. Hooper, P. Hunter, A. Manton, T. O'Sullivan, C. Szust, E. Templeton. 

BEST
Werribee: N. Coughlan, J. Henderson, S. Conway, S. Mannagh, J. Dahlhaus, M. Sodomaco.
Port Melbourne:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Werribee almost got off to the perfect start with the Tom Gribble sending the first centre clearance deep inside 50 where Hudson Garoni’s quick snap was touched through for a behind. From there the Big W enjoyed the majority of play during the early exchanges before a quick Port Melbourne counter-attack produced the first goal of the game after six minutes. Despite having plenty of possession Werribee wasn’t able to create any real chances with a number of inside 50 entries failing to find a target. Meanwhile, the Borough took advantage at their end adding their second 14 minutes in before a further two majors had Werribee trailing by 22 points.

The second quarter started with another Werribee centre clearance and shot on goal but Matt Hanson’s snap missed right. Chances were again few and far between for the visitors with Werribee having just 38% time in possession compared to Port Melbourne with 50% ad the Big W were put under even more pressure while again conceding multiple goals after turning the ball over. Jack Henderson had a late chance to score Werribee’s first goal of the night but his hurried snap sailed through for the team's sixth minor score as Werribee went into halftime down by 40 points.

Facing a big deficit, it was Shaun Mannagh who kick started Werribee’s second half comeback. An early intercept from Michael Sodomaco lead to Mannagh marking on 50 and nailing the set shot. Five minutes later Werribee’s fightback was well and truly underway when Jay Dahlhaus marked in a similar position and converted from long range. The Borough goaled midway through the term but that would be their only score of the quarter as defensive general Nick Coughlan rallied those around him. Coughlan would eventually play a key role in W’erribee's third goal sending a long kick to full forward where Ariek Lual gathered and ran the ball in to score from point blank range at the 24-minute mark. Mannagh reduced the margin to 17 points late in the quarter when he burst through traffic and snapped his second. In a dominant third term Werribee had 19 inside 50s to just 5.

Werribee continued its charge early in the last quarter and after a couple of early misses Dahlhaus got the crucial goal the visitors needed, taking the advantage after Ollie Hanrahan was caught high to cut Port Melbourne’s lead to just nine points after five minutes. The Borough added a goal of their own at the 11-minutes mark to heap more pressure on but after struggling through the middle stage of the term Werribee made one final push. Lual snuck home a close range effort after 20 minutes and then with two and half minuets to go Tom Boyd marked and goaled to make the difference just three points. However, that would be the last score of the game as the siren sounded just as Werribee went inside 50 one final time.

KEY PLAYERS
Matt Hanson: 36 disposals (25 kicks), 14 contested possessions, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 8 score involvements.
Tom Gribble: 31 disposals (18 kicks), 16 handball receives, 6 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 4 score involvements.
Nick Coughlan: 20 disposals (17 kicks), 9 marks, 8 intercept possessions, 5 rebound 50s, 4 score involvements.
Shaun Mannagh: 19 disposals (16 kicks), 8 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.
Jack Henderson: 18 disposals (9 kicks), 3 marks, 6 tackles, 5 score involvements.
Jay Dahlhaus: 15 disposals (14 kicks), 6 marks (1 contested), 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.
Sam Conway: 9 disposals, 2 contested marks, 26 hit-outs, 4 clearances, 5 score involvements.

VIEW MATCH GALLERY

NEXT MATCH
Round 15
Werribee vs North Melbourne
Saturday July 2, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Werribee will take on Brisbane in a preliminary final this weekend for a place in the 2023 Smithy's VFL Grand Final.

The Big W host the Lions at 12pm on Saturday in the club’s first preliminary final since a run of three from 2011 to 2013. It will be the second encounter between the teams this year having met in the opening round with Werribee going down by a single point at the Lions' Brighton Homes Arena.

The Lions progressed to their second straight preliminary final with a 40-point Semi-Final win over Williamstown this past weekend. The Lions finished the home and away season fourth before going down to Gold Coast in their Qualifying Final two weeks ago.

TEAM NEWS
Werribee welcomes back Michael Sodomaco and Connor Thar for Saturday's Preliminary Final against the Lions. 

Veteran defender Sodomaco returns after he missed the Qualifying Final against Box Hill with hamstring tightness, while small forward Thar has found his way back into the team and will play his first VFL game since May 14.

After lining up in five of Werribee's opening six games Thar suffered a syndesmosis injury in the first quarter of the Round 8 clash with Footscray at Avalon Airport Oval. The pair come into the side in place of Harry Grintell and Keegan Gray.

TICKETING DETAILS
For all VFL finals matches patrons are advised to pre-purchase tickets ahead of the day. Admission prices are adults $15, concession/pensioners $10, and children under 15 free. Tickets can be pre-purchased HERE.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, subject to ground capacity. Payment method for tickets purchased at the gate is via EFTPOS only.

PRELIMINARY FINAL
Werribee vs Brisbane
Saturday 16th September, 12:00pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Finals Week 3 - Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

More young talent has been added to Werribee’s forward line with Calder Cannons standout Sam Paea signing on for 2022.

The promising tall started last season with a VFL debut for Essendon before enjoying a strong 19th year campaign in the NAB League finishing runner-up in Calder’s 2021 best and fairest count. 

Paea, 19, adds to the list of key forwards at the club under the age of 22.  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said Paea was another highly sort of youngster the club was thrilled to secure. 

“Sam will come onto our list as an under 22 player for 2022 and alongside Hudson Garoni and Aidan Johnson is another young forward were excited to develop,” he said.  

“Sam is an athletic key forward that can rotate through the ruck, has good aerial strength and is very good below his knees. 

“We can’t wait to see what he can be not just in the short term but also the long term.” 

Paea said Werribee felt like an ideal place for him due to the club’s recent success with key forwards.  

“The group of guys here and the coaching staff I feel like they will get the best out of me and help my development,” he said. 

“I played a couple of (VFL) practice games and then was lucky enough to play round 1 with Essendon up in Brisbane, that was a great experience and something that I think helped me throughout the year. 

“I didn’t have the ideal start (for Calder) in terms of goal kicking, but then I started to find some pretty good form.  

“This year I just want to find consistency week to week, I’ve been focusing on my running ability and just being able to work up and down the ground all game.” 

Werribee has addressed the loss of star onballers Tom Gribble, Matt Hanson and Shaun Mannagh with five midfield additions for the 2024 VFL season.  

Ex-Geelong AFL listed player Copper Whyte headlines the incoming signings and is joined by former Williamstown duo Daly Andrews and Corey Preston and youngsters Jaelen Pavlidis and Jake Smith who both have family ties to the club.

Whyte, the penultimate pick in the 2021 AFL Draft spent two years at Geelong and following an injury interrupted first season earned an AFL debut in 2023.  

Daly Andrews, who played his junior football in Werribee, has almost 50 games of state league experience under his belt including a stint with South Adelaide when COVID cancelled the 2020 VFL season. 

Arriving with Andrews is 20-year-old Corey Preston who played every game for the Seagulls over the past two campaigns after graduating from the Eastern Ranges. 

Jaelen Pavlidis also crosses from a rival VFL club having spent last season with Greater Western Sydney and joins the Big W almost three decades after his father John played at the club. 

Meanwhile, Western Jets best and fairest winner Jake Smith follows in the footsteps of his father Karl and grandfather Brian who both pulled on the black and gold during their playing days. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was thrilled to have all five players on board. 

“Cooper is an exciting addition having spent two years on an AFL list. We see him playing a number of different roles with his burst of speed and kicking ability, he’s got a really nice left foot. 

“Daly is midfielder with good speed and the ability to play both inside and outside. He joins the club after statistically his best year of state league footy and will be important for us with his experience.  

“CJ (Corey) is one of the top young players in the VFL with the ability to play multiple positions. He’s a nice kick of the football, takes the game on and plays with attacking flair.  

“We’ve tracked Jaelen for a couple of years now and are delighted to have secured his services after a solid season up in Sydney. He’s a hard running midfielder who can play a variety of roles.  

“Jake is a big-bodied midfielder who had a fantastic year in the Coates League and comes in with knowledge of our program having trained with us last season through our relationship with the Jets.”  


IMAGE: Jake Smith (left) and Jaelen Pavlidis (centre) during preseason training.

Werribee has re-signed home-grown talents Lucas Rocci and Connor Thar and one of the club’s finds of last season in Harry Stubbings.  

All three debuted in the VFL in 2021 with Rocci and Stubbings each playing six matches while Thar played the final three games of the year after debuting in Round 11. 

Thar, a Werribee Districts and Western Jets product has been on Werribee’s list since 2019. 

After overcoming several significant injuries to earn his VFL debut Thar didn’t waste his opportunity, showing plenty of craftiness as a small forward while kicking multiple goals on two occasions. 

Fellow Districts junior and Jets standout Rocci signed at Avalon Airport Oval for 2020 after winning the Morrish Medal in his final season of NAB League footy. 

He took on a similar role to his under 18 days playing as small defender with play making abilities.  

Despite Stubbings being one of the final additions to the Werribee list ahead of the 2021 campaign, the 20 year-old impressed early, finding a role in the side as a pacy half-forward/winger while averaging a goal a game. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was great for the club to retain three of its most promising players. 

“Connor is arguably the most dedicated player on our list, he doesn’t leave any stone unturned in his quest to be the best footballer he can be. He’s a local Werribee person who we are extremely delighted to have for another year. He played in three games this year and looked more than up to the level, and we think he can be a long term VFL player for us,” he said. 

“Lucas is another Werribee local whose development over the course of this year was fantastic. He’s a player you can assign a job to and can also provide some drive off halfback. He started to work closely with our skipper Michael Sodomaco just picking apart his game and identifying where he can improve, so we’re very pleased to get Lucas' deal done for 2022. 

“Harry is an exciting forward prospect for us who plays his local footy at Old Scotch. His speed is electrifying and he provides our group with a different dynamic with his speed and explosiveness. Harry’s a great character to have around the football club and we’re keen to see his development continue over the next 12 months.”  

Werribee begins its first finals campaign since 2019 with a clash against Box Hill, one of two teams the Big W didn’t face in the home and away season.

Saturday’s Qualifying Final at Avalon Airport Oval is the first final to be played at the venue since 2011 with the hosts entering the fixture on a club record 15-match unbeaten run having won every game after a Round 4 loss to Geelong.

Box Hill, who finished the home and away season with one less win than Werribee with a 14-4 record, were at the top-end of the table all year long before securing third place and a double chance with victory over Frankston in the final round.

TEAM NEWS
The Big W have made a number of changes for the first final.

Veteran Michael Sodomaco is a notable out through injury following a fantastic run of form to end the home and away season, while Jack Henderson headlines the ins after he missed the team’s Round 22 match against Sydney.

Joining Henderson in the side are Keegan Gray and Jesse Clark who have both been recalled with Michael Selsby and Jack Riding the other two omissions.

Meanwhile, champion midfielder Matt Hanson is set to play his 100th game, and in doing so will join Tom Gribble and Sodomaco as current players to reach the milestone.

TICKETING DETAILS
Tickets for all finals matches need to be pre-purchased. For the first three weeks of finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be pre-purchased HERE.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, subject to ground capacity. Payment method for tickets purchased at the gate is via EFTPOS only.

QUALIFYING FINAL
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday 2nd September, 2:05pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Finals Week 1 - Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee has secured the services of classy 189cm utility Reuben William from Footscray. 

William is a major coup for the club with two years’ experience at the Brisbane Lions where he played three AFL matches in 2016. 

The 23-year-old, who moved to Australia from South Sudan at the age of four, has spent the past three seasons as a key part of the Bulldogs’ VFL outfit playing 46 games in that span.  

William joined his new teammates at the first preseason training session on Monday and said he was thrilled to finally get started at Avalon Airport Oval.  

“The first session was awesome, the energy was great, and I can already tell it’s a great group,” he said. 

“There’s such a brilliant atmosphere here with staff, volunteers and the club president here tonight it just shows a real one club mentality, everyone is really driven for success here. 

“Playing against Werribee in the past we always saw them as a great side and a really challenging side to play and I’m sure we’ll be contending this coming season, so I’m really looking forward to the year.” 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said William is a terrific signing and has been earmarked to play a major role in defence. 

“We’re really excited to have Reuben join us, he’s a quality player and a magnificent person who will provide great leadership and help drive the cultural standards of our football club,” he said.  

“We see Reuben playing as running half-back, he has really nice foot skills and a really good temperament so he’s going to be a very welcome addition to our defensive unit for 2022.” 

Two of Werribee’s breakout stars along with a mid-season recruit have put pen to paper to remain at Avalon Airport Oval next season.

Shaun Mannagh and Hudson Garoni were among Werribee’s most important players in 2021 while Aidan Johnson’s recommitment is good news for the club’s key position stocks.

This season was Mannagh’s first at Werribee after playing 26 times for Richmond’s VFL side over three campaigns.

After missing selection in Round 1, the pacy half-forward/mid starred in his debut the following week against Williamstown and immediately became one of the team’s most damaging players.

He averaged 20 disposals across eight matches and booted 15 goals while also leading the team in both inside 50s and score assists per game.

After joining Werribee in 2019 and making two appearances, Garoni played every game this season while emerging as one of the best young key forwards in the VFL.  

He led the team with 19 contested marks and was second in the club’s goal kicking with 17 majors.

Garoni and Mannagh who both hail from the Albury Wodonga region are joined in re-signing by another former Ovens and Murray standout in Johnson who made the move to Werribee after a couple of strong seasons for Lavington.

Johnson made his debut in the final game of the season as a late replacement for captain Michael Sodomaco with the club excited by his ability to play as a key forward and in the ruck.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said all three will be crucial for the club going forward.  

“Hudson had a fantastic year. After 2020 was cancelled how he approached the year was first class. He came back to us in ripping condition and has continued to work his backside off. Hudson’s extremely coachable and with young key forwards being so hard to come by, we think we have arguably the best one in the VFL, and we believe he has the potential to play at a higher level,” he said.

“Shaun was also outstanding in 2021 and is someone we expect to be right up there in our best and fairest. He is one of the first at the club each session and is really committed to working on his craft day in and day out. He’s got really good running capacity and can hit the scoreboard on a regular basis, and we can’t wait to have him back as an important part of our forward/mid rotation.

“Our recruiters did a magnificent job identifying Aidan playing at Lavington. We were really keen to get him down mid-season and sign him for the remainder of the year. Aidan has a lot of attributes we were looking for and his ability to play as a key forward and in the ruck is a great addition for us. We look forward to seeing what he can do in 2022 with a full VFL preseason under his belt.”

After a strong pre-season campaign, with three wins from three matches, Werribee turns its attention to a trip north to face Brisbane in the opening round of the Smithy’s VFL season this weekend.

The Big W will be looking to build off of the momentum gained over the summer and avenge last season's narrow defeat to the Lions which came late in the campaign.

However, it will be no easy feat facing a Brisbane side who finished the 2022 home and away season in second place before a preliminary final exit. The Lions will also enter the clash full of confidence after a strong pre-season of their own which including a five-goal win over grand finalists Southport.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 1
Werribee vs Brisbane Lions
Saturday March 25, 11:05am (AEST)
Brighton Homes Arena, Brisbane

Round 1 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au