Werribee Football Club player #1000 will run out onto Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval this Saturday morning, with Zane Keighran set to make his VFL debut in Werribee’s Round 9 clash against Collingwood.

Keighran becomes the 1000th senior player in the club’s 61-year history, dating back to Werribee’s inaugural VFA season in 1965.

It was only fitting that the man who started it all, Werribee player #1 and inaugural captain-coach Brian Holcombe, was the one to officially welcome Keighran into the club’s history books.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, senior coach Dan Lowther gathered the playing group before revealing a special video message from Holcombe, recorded from Bendigo, where he announced Keighran as Werribee Football Club player #1000.

“My name is Brian Holcombe and I have the honour of being the number one player as the captain-coach of the Werribee Football Club when we first went into the VFA,” Holcombe said.

“It was a very interesting and challenging task melding one team from four different clubs.

“It’s incredible to think that we are now welcoming the 1000th senior player to the club.

“Our 1000th player has the same surname as a long-established and respected name in Lake Boga Football Club history. That name is Keighran and I would sincerely like to welcome Zane Keighran as the 1000th member of the Werribee Football Club.”

The milestone carries extra significance for the Keighran family, with Zane also continuing a family connection to the club. His uncle, Ashley Keighran, became Werribee player #320 when he represented the club during the 1985 season.

The historic debut comes after an impressive start to the 2026 season for the 25-year-old defender, who has quickly built a strong case for selection through his performances at local level with Strathfieldsaye.

Keighran is averaging 26.6 disposals, 21.4 kicks, 7.2 marks and six intercept possessions per game across five matches this season, despite one outing being cut short through injury.

Last weekend, the classy half-back again starred in Strathfieldsaye’s 223-point win over Broadford, collecting 28 disposals, seven marks and six intercept possessions, while also finishing with 12 score involvements and a goal in a dominant display.

Arriving at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval ahead of the 2026 season, Keighran joined Werribee following a dominant year with Calder Lions in the North Central Football League, where he claimed both a premiership and the club best-and-fairest after averaging more than 30 disposals and nine marks per game.

A talented junior, Keighran came through the Bendigo Pioneers program and earned Vic Country honours, while also forging an outstanding cricket career which included junior representation for both Australia and Victoria.

Saturday’s clash sees Werribee return from its first bye of the season sitting just one spot outside the wildcard positions, following the club’s thrilling 97-apiece draw with Tasmania in Round 7.

The game also marks Werribee’s return to Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for the first time in 14 days, with supporters encouraged to note the updated 11:05am start time for Saturday morning’s clash.

Keighran is one of two inclusions for the game alongside Cooper Whyte, with Myles McCluggage and Mitch Lloyd the two outs from the side that faced Tasmania.