Werribee is pleased to announce a further four acquisitions to the football club, with a mix of midfielders and forwards aged 24 and under joining ahead of next year’s VFL campaign.

Exciting forward Jake Lohmann brings three years of VFL experience as he makes the move south from Queensland. Joining him are Anthony Depasquale, Archer Gardiner, and Myles McCluggage, all arriving at Avalon Airport Oval after outstanding local campaigns in 2024.

Jake Lohmann and Myles McCluggage have names that ring a bell—and for good reason, with the new Werribee teammates the brothers of Brisbane's AFL premiership teammates, Kai Lohmann and Hugh McCluggage.

Jake Lohmann joins Werribee after spending 2024 with Brisbane's VFL side.

He played six games for the Lions, including a standout Round 6 performance against the Suns, where he gathered 21 disposals, kicked a goal, and was named among Brisbane’s best. Away from the VFL, Lohmann enjoyed a successful 2024 campaign in the QAFL, kicking two goals in Morningside's Grand Final win to secure the premiership.

Before his time in Queensland, Lohmann spent two seasons with Sandringham in the VFL, appearing in 26 games after graduating from the TAC Cup with the GWV Rebels, and in his second season with the Zebras, Lohmann earned the recognition of his peers, coaches, and staff, being voted into the leadership group for the 2023 campaign.

Myles McCluggage joins Werribee after an outstanding season with South Warrnambool in the Hampden Football Netball League, where he earned Team of the Year honours.

The 21-year-old, like Lohmann, has a background with the GWV Rebels, playing across 2021 and 2022, before beginning his senior career with the South Warrnambool Roosters.

This 2024 season saw McCluggage not only earn Team of the Year honours, but also celebrate a premiership victory with the Roosters and bring up his 50th game milestone, capping off his breakout year by securing a VFL contract with Werribee.

Archer Gardiner continues Werribee’s strong connection with the Ovens & Murray league.

The 19-year-old midfielder arrives at Werribee from North Albury, the home club of premiership players Dom Brew and Sam Azzi.

Gardiner joins the VFL with over three seasons of senior football experience, having debuted for the Hoppers at just 16 years of age in 2021. Since then, he has played consistently at senior level, earning multiple accolades across each of the last three years.

In his first full senior season in 2022, Gardiner was awarded Best First Year Player, and this year he claimed his second consecutive Best Under 21 Player award for the club. Gardiner was also one of just two Hoppers selected for the O&M Interleague Side, where he played alongside fellow Werribee newcomer Jedd Longmire earlier in the season, and at this year’s best-and-fairest night, he also took home the Team Player of the Year award, capping off a busy and successful 2024.

Anthony Depasquale joins Werribee after a standout 2024 campaign, with the 21-year-old forward coming to the club from Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

Like Lohmann and McCluggage, Depasquale has NAB League experience, having played for Bendigo Pioneers in 2021. Since then, he has spent three seasons with Kyabram, consistently showcasing his strong goalkicking ability, booting more than 130 goals.

In his firsrt seaosn out of the Pioneers in 2022, at just 19 years of age, Depasquale booted 27 goals from 18 games and was selected to represent the Goulburn league in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Representative Games. He earned that honour again in 2024, kicking a game-high three goals against the Ovens and Murray league, where he played against new Werribee teammates Longmire and Gardiner.

Depasquale's 2024 season was particularly remarkable, as he led the league with an impressive 73 goals from just 19 games, averaging over three and a half goals per game. The medium-sized forward booted a bag of five or more goals on eight different occasions, and matched his previous career-high goal tally within the first seven games of this campaign.