Werribee has finalised its coaching line-up for the 2026 season, with Dan Lowther leading the club in his first year in charge.

Lowther is the 27th senior coach in the club’s history, following an extensive coaching career across multiple levels of the game. Most recently serving as senior coach of Geelong’s AFLW side for five seasons. Dan guided the Cats from second-last prior to his arrival into a contender with back-to-back finals appearances including a preliminary final in 2023.

Lowther will be supported by a largely familiar coaching panel heading into 2026.

Premiership assistant coach Jarrod Young returns as midfield coach for a third season. A former Werribee player, Young enjoyed a decorated playing career across multiple state leagues, including time with Port Adelaide in the SANFL. After finishing his playing career with a premiership at Inverleigh in 2023, Young transitioned into coaching and achieved success as an assistant coach in his first season with Werribee’s 2024 premiership.

Andrew Hodgson continues as forward line coach, entering his second season at the club. Hodgson joined Werribee in 2025 after serving as an assistant coach at South Barwon in the GFNL, where he helped guide the club to back-to-back Grand Final appearances. Prior to that, he spent several seasons as senior coach of Queenscliff in the BFL, initially combining the role as a playing coach. 

Peter Street returns as ruck coach for a second season, now working closely with a new-look group featuring recruits Ajang Kuol Mun, Caiden Gardiner and Cody Bryan. Standing as the equal-tallest player to play AFL, Street featured in 78 games at Geelong and the Western Bulldogs between 2001 and 2008, and also has a strong connection to Werribee, having pulled on the black and gold for 22 games during the Bulldogs’ VFL affiliation.

Kirk Heberle is again heading up the Development program while James O’Connor also returns as a development coach. Both are continuing to play key roles in the Monday night development program for players 22 and under.

Rowan McSparron is the key addition to the coaching panel, stepping into the role of backline coach. A two-time premiership coach at local level, McSparron arrives at Werribee following a lengthy stint as senior coach of Colac, where he guided the Tigers to a Grand Final appearance in his first season and remained in the role through to the end of 2024. Prior to that, he coached Geelong Amateurs for four seasons, leading the club to premierships in 2015 and 2016, and now reunites with former Bell Park teammate and senior coach Dan Lowther.

Kane Johnstone rounds out the coaching panel as a new addition for 2026, joining as a development coach. At just 23 years of age, Johnstone arrives from Terang Mortlake in the Hampden League, where he recently brought an end to a 12-year playing career due to ongoing injuries. He has already gained coaching experience, having coached the club’s Under 16 side as an 18-year-old before stepping into an assistant coaching role with the senior team in 2025, and now begins his time at Werribee, where he will also take on a gameday role as runner throughout the 2026 season.

Pictured (L-R): Peter Street, Rowan McSparron, Andrew Hodgson, Dan Lowther, Jarrod Young, Kirk Heberle, James O'Connor, Kane Johnstone.