After 106 VFL games and two years as club captain, Nick Coughlan has decided to call time on his VFL football career.

At last Thursday’s Bruce Montgomery Trophy night Coughlan was welcomed onto stage to present 100-gamers Dom Brew, Louis Pinnuck and Jack Henderson with their life memberships before stepping forward to announce his retirement from the VFL with an emotional speech.

Coughlan played 80 games for Werribee after joining in 2018, but his journey began earlier than that, when he was drafted by St Kilda from Footscray with pick 23 in the 2015 rookie draft, spending two seasons on the Saints’ AFL list.

Announcing his retirement to Werribee players, staff, partners, and sponsors at the best-and-fairest night, Coughlan shared, “To the Werribee Football Club: I came in 2018, recently delisted as a 20-year-old, not knowing what the hell I was gonna do... Ever since then, it’s just been the most enjoyable seven years.”

He continued, “To all the coaches I’ve had over the time—Johnny Lamont, Mark Williams, Mick [Barlow], and Jimmy [Allan]—thank you so much for the faith you’ve shown in me.” 

Coughlan also gave a heartfelt shoutout: “Especially Mick, coming on as captain last year, I loved our catch ups at the Bridge, not letting Mark know we were having a few beers, just talking about everything. And to Jimmy this year, from day one I knew you were the one who would lead us forward.” 

Coughlan’s final appearance was in a Round 16 victory over Coburg, when he ran out with Louis Pinnuck in his 100th game. Despite missing the Grand Final, senior coach Jimmy Allan invited Coughlan to join the team on stage to lift the cup, handed to them by 1993 captain-coach Donald McDonald, with Allan describing the club-captain as “an amazing person, an amazing leader, wasn’t out there today; wish he was. But so big in what we’ve done here. I love him and he deserves every bit of this.”

Originally from Albury and part of Werribee’s strong Ovens & Murray contingent, Coughlan joined the club in 2018, saying, “the biggest thing that appealed to me was knowing a lot of boys here and hopefully being able to have a real community style club”. The former AFL listed Coughlan added “I’m really excited to come here, to a standalone club, and really enjoy playing footy for the year - that’s my main goal.” The key defender formed part of a strong backline alongside Sam Collins, playing 15 games in his first season, the most he had managed in a VFL season up to that point.

2019 saw Coughlan up that tally to 20 games, in a season which saw Werribee reach a semi final, where they went down to Essendon by three points. In a career best season, Coughlan finished third in Werribee’s best-and-fairest, only behind J.J. Liston Medallist Tom Gribble and Dom Brew, won the football club’s ‘Players’ Player’ and was named in the VFL Team of the Year.

After COVID-19 interrupted seasons in 2020 and 2021, Coughlan brought up his 50th game for the club in 2022. Missing the first eight rounds, he still finished in the top five in the best and fairest, was named in the VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad, and earned Werribee's Defensive Player of the Year honours after playing just 10 games.

In 2023, Coughlan became the 34th player to captain the Werribee Football Club, taking over from co-captains Dom Brew and Tom Gribble. Speaking on the honour, Coughlan spoke highly of the club; “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 went on to lead Werribee to a record-breaking 17-game win streak and their first Grand Final appearance since 2005. Individually, he was selected in the VFL Team of the Year for the second time in his career.

Going into the 2024 season, Coughlan was once again chosen to lead the group, an achievement he deeply appreciated: “Personally, it’s a huge honour to lead this club for a second year.” 

“Last year was the most enjoyable year of footy I've ever had and we are confident on rolling that momentum on to this year.” 

Coughlan celebrated his 100th VFL game in Round 1, a nine-goal victory over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where he was best on ground with 26 disposals and seven marks.

Despite dealing with injuries during his final season, he managed seven games, averaging a career-high 20 disposals to go with six marks per match.

In the emotional speech at best-and-fairest night, Coughlan reflected, “To the playing group, leading this club is the greatest honour I’ve ever had. All I’ve ever wanted is success, and there’s been a lot of reflection about not playing in the Grand Final... but what gets me through is seeing guys like Sammy Azzi and Riley Bice step up and run with it.” 

“It brings me so much joy to see the success that I hope will continue for many more years.”