The VFL season is now underway for Werribee, but there is plenty happening off the field as well with two new staff members commencing with the club. 

After some time away, popular figure Majok ‘Shaggy’ Ngong has returned in the role of Community Development Manager while Em Gardner has joined the club as the Operations Support Officer.

Ngong was Werribee’s first ever Multicultural Development Officer working for the club from 2013 to 2015 before joining AFL Victoria.

During his time away, Ngong said he always kept an eye on what the club was doing and since returning has hit the ground running with football promotion in the community.  

“There are so many great things happening at the club, overall, I am excited about the programs that we’ve lined up for 2023 and beyond,” he said.

“I love the fact that everyone at this club shares the same vision which is to support and grow the game of AFL in the city of Wyndham.

“There is no club in the VFL that celebrates and embraces diversity like the Werribee Football Club.”

Like Ngong, Gardner too is familiar with the club having completed work placement at Avalon Airport Oval over the course of the 2022 VFL season.

Having impressed with her work ethic and commitment she was offered a full-time position after completing her Bachelor of Business majoring in Sports and Event Management.

Gardner said she can’t wait to gain more experience within the football industry and develop skills within operations and administration in sport.

She will be heavily involved with membership, match day, events, sponsorship and more, and can’t wait for football to return to Werribee in the coming weeks.

“It has been great settling into the new role, the team at the club have been very welcoming although knowing everyone already definitely helped,” she said.

“I’ve enjoyed gaining a better understanding of all the different aspects that go on behind the scenes of the football club and look forward to learning even more.”

Werribee has fallen agonisingly short of an opening round win, losing to Brisbane by one point at the Lion's Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.

After overcoming a slow start the Big W went ahead late in the first quarter before carrying a 23-point lead into the main break on the back of brilliant first half performances from Jack Henderson, Louis Pinnuck and Nick Hayes.

Werribee saw its margin reduced to four points just five minutes into the third quarter, however, Hudson Garoni steadied the ship for the visitors before Jack Boyd's first Werribee major gave the Big W a two-goal buffer at the end of three.

After leading for more than two quarters Werribee lost its advantage 12 minutes into the final term when former Werribee forward Wylie Buzza added his third goal of the game. As rain began falling for the final 10 minutes of the match the Big W dominated territory late, but could only manage two behinds in a quarter that went 36 minutes.

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 5.1 8.4 10.7 10.9 (69)
Brisbane: 4.2 4.5 8.7 10.10 (70)

GOALS
Werribee: H. Garoni 2, J. Henderson 2, N. Hayes 2, J. Boyd, K. Declase, B. Malual, S. Paea.
Brisbane: W. Buzza 3, K. Lohmann 2, R. Mathieson 2, N. Cockatoo, H. Sharp, J. Tunstill.

BEST
Werribee: L. Pinnuck, J. Henderson, D. Brew, S. Mannagh, A. Lual, Hudson Garoni.
Brisbane:

ROUND 1 IMAGE GALLERY - VIEW HERE

PLAYER STATS
Tom Gribble: 29 disposals (19 K, 10 HB), 12 handball receives, 7 marks, 5 inside 50s, 3 clearances, 5 score involvements.
Shaun Mannagh: 29 disposals (22 K, 7 HB) at 83% efficiency, 14 handball receives, 5 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 7 tackles, 4 score assists.
Louis Pinnuck: 26 disposals (19 K, 7 HB) at 88% efficiency, 8 intercept possessions, 5 marks, 6 rebound 50s, 4 inside 50s, 3 tackles.
Jack Henderson: 25 disposals (13 K, 12 HB), 12 contested possessions, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.
Nick Hayes: 13 disposals (10 K, 3 HB), 8 marks (2 contested), 2 rebound 50s, 6 score involvements, 2 goals.
Dom Brew: 13 disposals (7 K, 6 HB), 4 marks, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 10 tackles.
Kobe Annand: 13 disposals (1 K, 12 HB), 25 hit-outs, 3 clearances, 2 rebound 50s, 2 tackles.
Wardell Lual: 12 disposals (9 K, 3 HB), 5 marks (1 contested, 1 intercept), 3 rebound 50s, 2 inside 50s.

NEXT MATCH 
Round 3
Werribee vs Southport 
Saturday 8th April, 12:05pm
Fankhauser Reserve

After a strong pre-season campaign, with three wins from three matches, Werribee turns its attention to a trip north to face Brisbane in the opening round of the Smithy’s VFL season this weekend.

The Big W will be looking to build off of the momentum gained over the summer and avenge last season's narrow defeat to the Lions which came late in the campaign.

However, it will be no easy feat facing a Brisbane side who finished the 2022 home and away season in second place before a preliminary final exit. The Lions will also enter the clash full of confidence after a strong pre-season of their own which including a five-goal win over grand finalists Southport.

MATCH DETAILS - ROUND 1
Werribee vs Brisbane Lions
Saturday March 25, 11:05am (AEST)
Brighton Homes Arena, Brisbane

Round 1 Match Centre

Watch live at afl.com.au

Werribee has filled its two remaining list spots and finalised its squad for the commencement of the Smithy’s VFL season with the signings of ruckman Akol Deng and defender Charlie Byrne.

Deng, 24, is a recent convert to Australian Rules football from a professional basketball background and spent last season with the club as a train-on player.

He plied his trade with Yarraville Seddon in the WRFL where he frequently appeared in the best players.

Despite standing at 194cm Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said Deng brings strength, physicality, and great athleticism.

 “We’ve been working in the background with Akol for the last 18 months… he’s one of the most exciting stories for the footy club over the last couple of years,” Micallef said.

Joining Deng on the list for 2023 is 184cm rebounding defender Charlie Byrne.

Byrne, 20, was previously involved with Essendon’s VFL program and played two games for the Bombers in 2021 before relocating to Geelong to play with Newtown and Chilwell.

Micallef said the dashing left footer has come a long way in the last 12 months.

“We’ve kept tabs on Charlie ever since his final season in the NAB League with the Murray Bushrangers,” he said.

“His move to the GFL brought him within close proximity to Werribee and we were thrilled to see him play some really good footy for Newtown and Chilwell last year.”

By Gerald Lynch