After winning his third consecutive leading goalkicker award in 2024, Hudson Garoni will spearhead the Werribee attack once more in 2025, with the key forward officially re-signing for next season.

Garoni, who brought up his 50th VFL game earlier this season, has played all but two games over the past four campaigns. This year, he appeared in all 21 matches, setting a new career-best tally with 49 goals and earning selection in his second consecutive VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad.

Garoni was the only player in the competition to kick a goal in all 18 games in the home-and-away season, which saw him place third in the Frosty Miller Medal.

He carried this streak into the finals, where he delivered a bag of three goals in Werribee's preliminary final win over Brisbane, including two in the last quarter as the Tigers overcame a two-goal three-quarter time deficit. In the Grand Final, Garoni came through once again, kicking a goal that saw Werribee take the lead as they pulled off another come-from-behind victory. Reflecting on the premiership triumph, Garoni said, “We knew we weren’t playing our best footy at half time so to run over them like that, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

"Team success is why we play, so it is unbelievable.", he added.

Football Manager Ash Collins spoke of his delight to have Garoni going around for another season in the black and gold; "Hudson's top-three finish in the Frosty Miller Medal count shows his elite talent and impact as a focal point in our forward line”.

“We’re really excited to have him back in the fold to lead from the front half of the ground again in 2025."

Debuting for Werribee in Round 19, 2019, as a Murray Bushrangers graduate, Garoni kicked a goal with his first kick for the club. He has since played 69 games, booting 144 goals, kicking the most goals across the VFL since making his debut against Box Hill in his debut season.

Garoni’s first leading goalkicker award came in 2022, with a 32-goal season that featured three bags of five. In 2023, he elevated his game, leading the three-headed attack alongside Sam Paea and Josh Porter. He capped off the grand final year with a career-high 45 goals, including a career best haul of 6 goals against Williamstown on ‘Past Players Day’. This total earned Garoni a third place finish in the ‘Frosty’ standings and selection in the Smithy’s VFL representative team as the Big V made its return to state of origin footy against the SANFL earlier this year.

Following the 2023 season, this year Garoni showed no signs of slowing down, booting four goals in Werribee's Round 1 clash with Geelong. Leading a new-look forward line, Garoni finished the season with 14 multiple-goal games, including back-to-back five-goal performances in Rounds 17 and 18 against the Northern Bullants and Port Melbourne.

He came into the final round of the home-and-away season equal on top of the Frosty Miller standings, but ultimately finished third, kicking one goal in Werribee's win over Box Hill to secure their first minor premiership in 19 years.

The Werribee Football Club Family Day is back, and it’s bigger than ever as we celebrate our first premiership in 31 years!

Join us at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday, November 24th, to celebrate the year that was. Enjoy a premiership cup presentation, opportunities to meet your premiership stars, and a variety of footy and kids’ activities! With a DJ, food trucks, and more, there’s something for everyone—it’s a day not to be missed!

The much sought-after brand-new range of premiership merchandise will be available for purchase on the day, as well as our 2025 memberships.

Details:

• Sunday, 24 November
• 11am – 2pm
• Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Join Us For:

• Premiership cup presentation
• Meet and greets with Werribee players
• Kids activities
• Football activities
• DJ
• Food trucks
• Premiership merchandise
• Merchandise and memberships sales

Werribee has now secured 13 confirmed re-signings in the month following its drought-breaking premiership, with Harry Grintell and Harrison Miller both committing to the 2025 season.

Grintell enjoyed a career-best season at VFL level, which saw him play every game in 2024. Meanwhile, Miller, who was part of the Western Jets’ leadership group in 2023, earned a train-on spot with Werribee in 2024, with the 19-year-old impressing to earn a list spot for next season.

Harry Grintell came to Werribee ahead of the 2023 season after two years with the GWS Giants' VFL team, having graduated from the Giants academy.

Following 13 games as a small forward in his debut season, including a two-goal performance in the Grand Final, Grintell kicked off the 2024 season in the same role and started in rich goal-kicking form. He kicked six goals through the first four matches of the season, which included Werribee’s first of the 2024 campaign, and a Goal of the Year candidate in Round 2 against Southport.

Midway through the season, in Werribee’s clash away in Gold Coast, Grintell was switched to the wing at half-time to do a role on veteran AFL winger Brandon Ellis. He responded with 16 disposals and six inside 50s, in an impressive outing that saw him become a wingman for the remainder of the season.

Grintell played every game for the rest of the season, one of just six players to do so, and brought up his 50th VFL game in Round 18 against Port Melbourne. In the premiership-winning campaign, he averaged a career high 11.7 disposals and kicked a career-high 12 goals. Reflecting on his success, Grintell stated “I didn't think we’d be going for two flags in two years (when I came down from GWS), but it was a really good effort and a massive shout out to all the Werribee fans and Werribee staff, they are unreal.”

Commenting on the re-signing, Football Manager Ash Collins praised Grintell’s second-year rise: "Harry has become a mainstay in the side, didn’t miss a game, and was one of a handful to do so." Collins added, "He's been a pivotal part of the team, and we're excited to bring him back for next season."

19-year-old Harry Miller spent 2024 as a train-on player with the club after spending his draft year with the Western Jets in the NAB League.

Splitting his time between Werribee and the VAFA’s Williamstown CYMS, Miller had a difficult start to the year with a long-term injury, but upon his return from the sidelines in Round 13, Miller went on to kick 16 goals in six games for the CY's including four games where he was named in the best. He made a difference for the VAFA club, who had won only two games prior to his comeback, helping them go on a run of four consecutive undefeated matches and ultimately finish seventh on the ladder, avoiding relegation.

Miller spent the two seasons prior with the Western Jets, making a memorable debut in Round 1 against Brisbane Academy in 2022, where he kicked three goals at 17 years of age.

His maiden NAB League campaign saw Miller finish fourth in the best-and-fairest, behind Jaelen Pavlidis, and win the Coaches Award as he finished with 19 goals from 13 games.

In 2023, his second season with the Jets, Miller was announced part of the leadership group, alongside future Werribee teammate Jake Smith.

Miller is the first of the confirmed re-signings for the 2025 season to be elevated from a train-on player to the list, with Ash Collins praising the forward “It’s been a tough year for Harry through injury, but testament to his commitment traveling back and fourth with no guarantees”.

“He showed good signs in training and we’re excited for what he can do on our list next year.”