Shaun Mannagh and Sam Clohesy have realised their AFL dreams after being selected by Geelong and Gold Coast in the 2023 AFL National Draft and Rookie Draft respectively.

Logan Morris who trained with the club in 2023 and played in the Round 8 fixture against Footscray is also AFL-bound, with Brisbane snaring the forward with their first pick of the draft.

Another standout year from Mannagh and a brilliant end to the season by Clohesy pushed the Werribee pair into draft calculations after the club’s run to the VFL grand final.

Meanwhile, Morris was considered a late first round selection after starring for the Western Jets and Vic Metro this year.  

The selection of Mannagh with pick 36, was one of the draft surprises with the 26-year-old plying his trade in the VFL for seven years, spending three seasons at Richmond and the last four at Werribee.

His final outing for Werribee was one of the best ever seen in a VFL grand final as he claimed the Norm Goss Medal with six goals from 28 disposals.

The Cats haven’t shied away from picking mature age recruits in the past and have had plenty of success doing so with a list of names including Tom Stewart, Tom Atkins and James Podsiadly.

Clohesy, who won this year’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising player, raised his draft stock after producing three outstanding finals performances.

The 20-year-old previously spent time in the Gold Coast Academy when living there as a teenager before the Suns selected him with the fourth pick in Wednesday’s Rookie Draft.

He joins his younger brother Ted in the AFL, who is a new teammate of Mannagh at the Cats.

Clohesy made 26 appearances in his two seasons at Werribee while Mannagh tallied 47 games across the past three campaigns.

Morris, a Werribee local and Werribee Districts junior was selected at pick 31 by Brisbane. The 192cm forward is considered to have some of the best hands in this year’s draft class.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted for all three players.

“After nominating for eight drafts were absolutely thrilled to see Shaun get his shot on an AFL-list," Micallef said.

"Geelong had shown some interest during the year and not just after his grand final performance, so it was great to see them select him and we all hope this is the start of really successful AFL career.

“Sam was in and out of the side in his first year, but had an opportunity to make his mark this season which he did.

"With plenty of experience around him in the backline he flourished and played with a lot of freedom late in the year. He’s a laid-back kid but there’s no doubt he’ll make the most of his chance with the Suns.

“Logan is a Werribee local and it was a pleasure to have him involved in our program and to give him an opportunity to pull on the Werribee jumper this year.

"Brisbane have picked up a really promising player and we look forward to following his journey closely.”

TOP: Shaun Mannagh and  Sam Clohesy in action.
ABOVE: Logan Morris ahead of his VFL debut.

Another bookend of the Werribee team is returning next season with Hudson Garoni locked in for his sixth year at Avalon Airport Oval.

The key forward has appeared in all but two games over the past three campaigns, booting 94 goals and finishing as the club’s leading goal kicker in 2022 and 2023.  

A career-best tally of 45 majors this year ranked third in the VFL and earnt him a place in the VFL Team of the Year 40-man squad.  

“I’m really happy to be back in the black and gold again next season,” Garoni said.

“We came so close this year and hopefully next year can be another great season for the group.

“I’m excited to work with our forwards again and seeing a few of the younger players develop and build on their game.

“I hope to put in a big preseason having missed most of it last year and then really hit the ground running and build on my last two seasons by taking my game to the next level.”

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was fantastic to retain the services of the Ovens and Murray product.   

“We’re delighted to have Hudson re-sign with the club as he’s one of the premier key forwards in the competition,” Micallef said.

“He is still relatively young at 23 years of age and despite that has ranked as one of the top performing key forwards outside of the AFL in recent seasons.

“He is a great character and has a terrific desire be a part of success at the Werribee Football Club, so we look forward to Hudson again playing a big role for the team next season."

Hudson has signed on and you can too. Membership packages for the 2024 season are available via our online shop HERE. 

Werribee Football Club is delighted to announce it has filled the two vacant and pivotal positions within the club with two outstanding individuals.

James Allan (Senior Coach) and Ash Collins (Football Manager).

Jimmy returns to Avalon Airport Oval after a decorated career in the SANFL where he won three Magarey Medals, five North Adelaide Best and Fairest awards and a premiership with Norwood, among his many achievements. Werribee fans will remember Jimmy as the fierce ball winning number five who played some outstanding games in his two seasons at the club.

President Martin Carter welcomed the news: “Jimmy was a popular leader at our club in his playing days and the career he has had in South Australia as a player and more recently in assistant coaching roles has given him the perfect credentials to take over from Michael Barlow and keep our club at the top of the VFL competition.”

The other new recruit is Ash Collins, taking on the role of Football Manager. Ash brings a wide range of football experience, having been involved in key roles with the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and the Sydney Swans. His decade-plus AFL career includes 10 years at the reigning AFL premiers Collingwood.

CEO Mark Penaluna sees the club not missing a beat with the appointments: “Ash brings many skills to a very demanding and sometimes unpredictable role but he has the experience to hit the ground running and continue Mark Micallef’s great work. These two positions were much sought after and highly desirable in the football marketplace and we feel we have secured the right team to take us forward.”

Dual J.J Liston Trophy winner Tom Gribble has confirmed his retirement bringing the curtain down on a glittering 141-game VFL career.

After a decade at Avalon Airport Oval following a season with Geelong’s VFL outfit, Gribble finishes up with the second most appearances for Werribee having tied fellow best and fairest winner and club captain Dom Gleeson on 137 games.

“It was probably during the early stages of the season that I started to think that this might be my last," Gribble said. "The further things got along I felt more comfortable with the decision too.”

“This year was the most enjoyable year I’ve had and most of the boys will attest to that. It was unreal winning 17 games in a row, and although not getting an 18th in the big dance was tough to swallow, for me this season was a great way to finish up after 10 years."

The ball magnet who was crowned the league’s best player in 2019 and 2022 bows out alongside good mates Michael Sodomaco and Matt Hanson.

“I came to the club in 2014, Sods started here the year before I did and Matt came the year after me. They are a large part of why I stayed around for 10 years and their decisions to retire were also a contributing factor for me."

"It’s the friendships and relationships you build that keep you coming back. I was lucky enough to win a couple of individual accolades, but I’d trade those in a heartbeat to play in a premiership with my teammates.”

The loss of Gribble and Hanson from the Big W’s midfield is no doubt significant, but Gribble is confident the club has the talent to cover the pair’s departure.

“We saw Brewy this year take his game to a whole new level, Jack Henderson had another great year and is ready to step up and we’ve got younger guys ready for an opportunity. There’s been a high importance placed on our development program and we’ve put the groundwork into a number of guys over the last few years, so I’m confident the club is in pretty good spot.”

With his VFL days over Gribble has signed as a playing assistant coach of Bellarine Football Netball League club Geelong Amateur.

And despite his commitments for the Ammos next year he plans to watch the Tigers when he can in 2024.

“I won’t be stranger to the footy club,” Gribble said. Next year is a big one in terms of milestones and three guys I’m really close with in Brewy, Hendo and Louis Pinnuck will play their 100^th games. Hopefully things can align on a couple of weekends and I can get along to see those big games. I’m definitely keen to get there and cheer on the boys from the sidelines.”