After four years in the black and gold, Werribee ruckman Sam Conway has announced his retirement from VFL football.

Conway’s time at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval comes to an end after a 51-game VFL career, highlighted by the 204cm big man carrying the number one ruck mantle in Werribee’s 2024 premiership run.

In Conway’s final year in the VFL he proved to be one of Werribee’s most consistent performers throughout the season. He played in 17 of the 18 matches and led the entire league in hitouts, to go with his ten disposals and 5.5 clearances per gane, earning him Werribee’s Most Improved Player award for 2025.

He ended the year in outstanding form, recording 18 disposals and 60 hitouts against Richmond in Round 18, a performance that included a set shot goal, his first in 1,144 days and just the second of his career. Both goals fittingly came against Richmond. He went on to break that career-high two weeks later with 62 hitouts to go with 17 disposals against the Northern Bullants in what would be his final VFL appearance.

It capped off an impressive two-year stretch that began with a breakout 2024 season, where Conway played 16 games and established himself as one of Werribee’s most reliable performers throughout their drought-breaking premiership campaign. He produced a standout finals series, taking on Sam De Koning in the qualifying final against Geelong, recording 56 hitouts in the preliminary final against Brisbane, and facing Southport captain Brayden Crossley in the Grand Final, where he nullified Crossley’s influence and set the tone after half-time with a huge tackle that helped spark Werribee’s comeback win.

Reflecting on his time at the club, Conway said; “I have absolutely loved my four years at the club. I’d like to thank everyone, both on and off the field, for making it such a great place to be involved in.”

He added, “I have formed some lifelong connections and will be forever grateful for my time at Werribee FC.”

Conway came through the Geelong Falcons program before joining Williamstown, where he spent three seasons and made three VFL appearances between 2019 and 2021. His time there was interrupted by COVID and limited opportunity to lock down the number-one ruck spot.

He made the move to Werribee ahead of the 2022 season, drawn by his friendships with several teammates.

“I live in Geelong and played Falcons with a few of the guys, including Jack Henderson, who is one of my good mates, so that makes it an easier transition, and I’m excited to join the group,” Conway said at the time.

Conway made his Werribee debut in Round 3 of the 2022 season against Southport at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, collecting 20 hitouts and not looking back, playing 14 of the next 16 games. His strong first year at the club saw him firmly establish himself as Werribee’s number-one ruck option.

A lower-leg injury in a 2023 pre-season match at Frankston then forced him to miss the entire season, but his return in 2024 was the launchpad for his best football.

By the time he celebrated his 50th VFL game in Round 20, 2025, Conway had come full circle, facing Southport at home once again, just as he had on debut three years earlier. Across his career, he played 51 VFL games, 48 with Werribee and three with Williamstown.

Conway will now continue his football journey at his local side, University Blacks in the VAFA, where he will play full-time from 2026.