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.”