Numerous honours for Werribee at VFL Awards
19 September 2023
Several Werribee players and coach Michael Barlow were recognised for outstanding seasons in 2023 at Monday night’s VFL and VFLW Awards at Crown Palladium.
Captain Nick Coughlan, vice-captain’s Dom Brew and Shaun Mannagh and star onballer Tom Gribble all earned VFL Team of the Year hours with Barlow included as coach, while Sam Clohesy received the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal for the most promising player under the age of 24.
In the JJ Liston Trophy count, two-time reigning winner Gribble again went in as one of the favourites before finishing the count third with 21 votes, five behind winner Jarryd Lyons of Brisbane. Mannagh also polled well placing fifth, two votes back of Gribble.
Werribee’s four Team of the Year player selections was the equal most of any side with Grand Final opponent Gold Coast having the same number.
Coughlan was named at centre-half back for the second time after averaging a career high 19.6 disposals per game in 2023, including 7.3 intercepts and 8.1 rebound 50s.
Gribble earned Team of the Year honours for the fourth straight season following a campaign in which he gathered 31.8 disposals per game with 22.7 effective disposals and 6.7 clearances.
Mannagh made it back-to-back selections at half-forward after tallying several career bests with 25.9 disposals and 6.1 tackles amongst others, while also kicking 32 goals in the home and away season.
Brew was picked in the Team of the Year for the first time with averages of 25.8 disposals, 15.3 contested possessions and 7.9 clearances, all career highs, and again topped the league with 176 tackles.
Barlow led Werribee to a 16-2 home and away season record in his third year in charge before adding a further two victories to guide his side into this year’s Smithy’s VFL Grand Final on the back of a club record 17 straight wins.
Clohesy, 20, became the third Werribee player to win the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal in the past five seasons following Josh Corbett in 2018 and Jake Riccardi in 2019.
The athletic rebounding defender has played every game in 2023 and averaged 15.7 disposals, 5.2 marks and 2.3 tackles during the home and away campaign.
The final accolade was VFL Life Membership for Gribble on account of his two JJ Liston Trophy wins, which ensured the 28-year-old again went home with more than one honour.
For a full wrap of the night and all the award winners CLICK HERE.
Top: Sam Clohesy received the Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal.
Middle: Werribee's Team of the Year members Nick Coughlan, Tom Gribble, Michael Barlow, Shaun Mannagh and Dom Brew.
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