After 102 games and four Bruce Montgomery Trophies, Matt Hanson has decided to call time on his stellar VFL football career. 

The popular Taswegian let the dust settle after the Grand Final loss to ponder his football future. 

“It was an emotional decision but it is the right one,” Hanson told Werribeefc.com.au. “From my ninth year to my first year at the club, it is such a different thing. You arrive as an 18 year old and you have all eyes on the football, because you don’t really know much else. You get to training at 3.30 and you are there ‘til 9 o’clock.” 

“Now with a young family and a business, time is very precious. It is a massive juggle. Kat has sacrificed a lot with her business to allow me to continue playing at VFL level and Henley is getting a bit older, so it felt right for where we are as a family at the moment.”  

Hanson’s last game was the 2023 Grand Final, a lasting and slightly bitter memory. 

“We nearly got there in the end. We just fell short to a really good side on the day, but I think all of us can hold our heads high. We had a really good crack.”

You don’t have to tell the Werribee faithful how good a player Matt Hanson was and all still wonder why AFL recruiters didn’t see what those in the stands of Chirnside Park saw week after week from the number 11.

What would Matt say to those following in his footsteps on arrival at Avalon Airport Oval? 

“Just dig in. Don’t leave anything to chance. Do your best, be a sponge, soak up as much info as you can. Talk to guys like Brewy (Dom Brew)  Coggo (Nick Coughlan) Shawny Mannagh, Kye (Declase) all those guys. Learn from them. What do they do before training and after training? What do they do on off nights for recovery to improve themselves? All those sorts of things that will put you in a good spot for wherever football takes you and life as well. You don’t have to be drafted to have a successful career at football. There are other things in life that mean so much more to individuals than just football like family, business and work.”

Matt Hanson will be fondly remembered by supporters as a player who always gave 100%.   

“Thanks to the Werribee football club faithful, to everyone involved. Thanks you so very much. Without your support, we as players are nothing. You guys are the backbone of the club The supporters are everything to us, we thrive on you come game day.”

“Keep showing up because there is going to be a very bright future. After 9 seasons, the Werribee Football Club will always be my home. I will try to get to as many games as I can and it will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Hanson will still be having a kick with Airport West in the Essendon District League and everyone at the club wishes him the best of luck.   

The cold, hard fact of football is that change is an accepted part of the game and player movement has become more fluid in recent times. VFL football can be a pathway, a destination or a conclusion depending on the age, ambition and talent of the player involved.

Werribee charted a course several years ago to build a core group of players to become the foundation for sustained success. Players like Michael Sodomaco, Matt Hanson, Tom Gribble, Nick Coghlan, Louis Pinnock, Jack Henderson and Dom Brew became those players and in recent times Garoni, Gray, Mannagh, Hayes, Cooper and Clark have joined that group. 

They have helped shape a club commitment and bond that culminated in the Grand Final appearance this season. That allegiance is best illustrated in the re-signing of 23 players since the final siren blew at Ikon Park. 

Football Manager Mark Micallef is acutely aware of the significance of this.       

“Retention at any level of football is crucial to success. To have 23 of our players already commit to the 2024 season shows how much belief they have in the direction the club is heading. Not one of the 23 hesitated in putting pen to paper. They believe and want to go one step further next year. That is testament to the culture the club has developed.”  

Negotiations with several other players are ongoing while exams, holidays and other personal business is addressed after a packed football program. 

The post season changes continue at Avalon Airport Oval with Football Manager Mark Micallef announcing his decision to take up a new opportunity and challenge in the education field.

In his three years in the job, Mark has worked closely and successfully with all staff and volunteers to grow and build the foundation that is the heartbeat of the football club.

Looking back, Micallef says “The fabric of this club wasn’t broken. I have had great people around me the whole time who all have bought into what the club is trying to achieve. Helping them make a contribution to our progression has been very satisfying, culminating in the on-field success we all achieved this season.” 

CEO Mark Penaluna is full of praise for the work of Micallef:

“Mark has shown great leadership, an incredible work ethic and a team ethos that has gelled the entire football department to be the most cohesive I have seen in my time, which is a great testament to his professional skills. He has left big shoes to fill.” 

The position of Football Manager will be advertised soon. 

This season's Bruce Montgomery Trophy winner Dom Brew is among the first players to re-sign for the 2024 VFL season.

After a career-best year culminating with his first Best and Fairest win and selection in the VFL Team of the Year,  the popular hardman can’t wait to get stuck into next season. 

Brew shared his thoughts on The Big W podcast season finale episode. 

“That grand final loss burns. To come so close was devastating but it’s important to reflect on the year we had and 17 wins in a row is unbelievable.”

Brew may have 90 VFL games under his belt but believes the best is yet to come. “I have never enjoyed my footy as much with a bunch of blokes. We are just starting to reap the rewards but we have to go on.” 

“I promise you I won’t be on that side of the podium ever again. Next time I will be on the other side.” 

Young gun Sam Clohesy has also committed, as best he can, for 2024. 

The Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist is certainly on the radar of AFL clubs.    

“I’ve had a couple of (AFL clubs) interests and a few testings to be done - nothing set in stone, but it is a very exciting time.”

While an AFL career looms for Sam, he is keeping his feet firmly planted at Avalon Airport Oval   

“It never really crossed my mind. I just wanted to go out each week and play my part for the team and do whatever to get us a win.

It wasn’t until that medal (Fothergill-Round-Mitchell) that I thought: I have had a pretty good year. Even now I try and put it to the back of my mind and still think about Werribee next year. We want to keep going and winning.”

Like Dom and Sam, you will have the chance to sign on when the 2024 membership packages are announced very soon.