Werribee is thrilled to announce that Kyle Hartigan will step into the role of Football Manager for the 2025 season, following a comprehensive international recruiting process.

This will be Hartigan’s second season at Werribee following his 135-game AFL career. He joined the club as an assistant coach, where he took charge of the VFL's best defence during Werribee’s premiership-winning year. Having already built strong relationships with players, staff, and coaches in the 2024 campaign, he is well-placed to take on this leadership role.

In addition to his new responsibilities, Hartigan will continue as an assistant coach on game days, while Mark Micallef returns to the club to assist with Match Day operations. Micallef is no stranger to Werribee, having served as Football Manager from 2021 to 2023. 

For Hartigan, this next chapter brings his football journey full circle. After missing out on the 2009 AFL Draft, he joined Werribee for the 2010 season, drawn to the club’s AFL-like football structure. He played 48 senior games between 2010 and 2012 before being selected with Adelaide’s first pick in the 2012 rookie draft.

His return is a testament to Werribee’s tradition of developing careers and welcoming people back to contribute even further. He joins a long list of former players and coaches who have done the same, including Michael Barlow, who was named the AFL’s Development Coach of the Year in 2024. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna spoke highly on Hartigan stepping up to the role, “After a thorough process, we’re delighted to announce that Kyle Hartigan has been selected as our Football Manager.

Kyle has a long history with the club, dating back to 2010. He was drafted in 2012 after being part of our preliminary final teams and went on to join the Crows. Throughout his time at both Adelaide and Hawthorn, he remained a club member. After his sensational AFL career, he rejoined us as a premiership-winning assistant coach and has held other roles within the AFL football industry."

Penaluna added, "He sees this as a natural step in his off-field football progression."

Kyle Hartigan said; “It's a privilege to be part of the Werribee Footy Club — first as a player, then as a coach, and now as Football Manager. It's a club I'm really passionate about, and I'm committed to continuing building that sustained success on and off the field for the foreseeable future."