Werribee is proud to announce Nick Coughlan as the club’s captain for 2023. 

Coughlan's appointment was revealed to players and staff on Monday night. 

The star defender has played 55 games for Werribee since joining the club in 2018. 

He becomes the 34th player to captain the club with his appointment endorsed by the board and senior management late last week following a player vote. 

Coughlan said he was incredibly humbled to be named captain.

“I didn't think when I first walked into the club that I would one day be captain,” he said.

“From day one I have loved being at Werribee and all of the people past and present have been incredible to work with.”

“I'm very thankful for the trust shown in me by the players, Mick (coach Michael Barlow), Mark Penaluna (CEO) and Martin Carter (President) and the board to lead the club in 2023.”

Coughlan takes over from Dom Brew and Tom Gribble who co-captained the club last season.  

Before arriving at Werribee, Coughlan spent two years on St Kilda's list after the Saints selected the former Murray Bushranger in the 2015 Rookie Draft. 

He served as Werribee’s vice-captain last season and enjoyed arguably his best season for the club being named in the VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad despite playing just 10 games. 

Coughlan will be supported by Brew and Shaun Mannagh who have been named vice-captains. 

Meanwhile, Gribble has taken a back seat and will not feature in the club’s leadership group in 2023. 

Jack Henderson, Kye Declase, Louis Pinnuck and Nick Hayes are the four other members of the leadership group this year. 

“To be able to lead with the support of Brewy and Shaun who I grew up with in Albury is a pretty cool thing,” Coughlan added.

“The leadership group we have is very strong and to have those guys and former captains in Sods (Michael Sodomaco) and Grib as sounding boards will be so helpful as we chase the on-field success we hope to achieve.”

Werribee coach Michael Barlow said Coughlan was an outstanding choice to lead the club. 

“Nick’s been a constant leadership group member since he arrived at the club and has an incredible ability to impact on-field as well as educate and upskill players off the field,” he said.

“With a shift to a sole captaincy model he’ll be ably supported by Dom and Shaun, two players who have great trust amongst the team and show amazing care to everyone and all areas of our club.

“Although Tom has made the decision to step away from leadership responsibilities, we’re looking forward to him continuing to elevate himself as one of the competition’s best players.”

The club also named a group of emerging leaders.  

Jesse Clark heads up the development group leadership team with Jay Dahlhaus, Matt Keast, Lucas Rocci and Gennaro Bove the other members.