Every Werribee player through time will now be forever recognised with their own personal number with the club pleased to announce the official list of players that have represented the club in a senior VFA/VFL match. 

Almost 1000 players have lined up for Werribee in a senior game in the club’s 59-year existence, but it’s taken several years of research led by board member Ian Hovey, to piece together the list. 

With no official records from the club’s first four decades citing the round and/or date when players debuted, Hovey and others were tasked with combing through numerous club and league archives. 

With countless hours of research now complete, Brian Holcombe, who coached and captained Werribee in its inaugural season in 1965, is credited with being the club’s first ever player. 

After 10 rounds of the 2023 VFL season 953 players have now represented Werribee at senior level. 

Some of the notable names and their numbers include John Comben who was Werribee’s 62^nd overall player while Australian Test bowler Merv Hughes who appeared in 95 games was No. 214. 

Donald McDonald, Werribee’s only premiership coach was the 428th player to represent the club with his son, current North Melbourne captain Luke McDonald becoming the club’s 780th when he debuted 20 years after his father in 2013. 

Games record holder Robbie Castello was the 609th player for Werribee with leading goal kicker Kevin Leece listed at 102, while current senior coach Michael Barlow’s number is 670. 

The only Brownlow Medallist to have pulled on a Werribee jumper Adam Cooney, who played two games in 2004 during the club’s alignment with the Western Bulldogs, is player 606. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was great to now have the full list of player numbers on hand.    

“It’s been a big project with a lot of hours dedicated to it by Ian and Micki Hovey and Narelle Penaluna,” he said. 

“For a lot of our past players it’s not something many will be aware of, but we hope it creates a bit of interest amongst those that have previously played here.

“Going forward it’s something that they we can tell players when they debut and is hopefully something they will remember from their time at the club.”

To discover the full list of Werribee player history CLICK HERE

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Image: The first Werribee team in 1965.