Werribee will contest its first official practice match of the preseason this Saturday with the team set to take on Frankston on neutral territory.

The Big W takes plays the Dolphins in the second of three games as part of the Victorian Standalone Carnival being held at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve.

Coach Michel Barlow has picked a strong 28-man squad for the encounter, the first of three practice games the club will play before kicking off the 2023 Smithy's VFL season on March 25 against Brisbane.

Werribee’s match against Frankston and the day's other two matches (Northern Bullants v Williamstown, 10:45am & Coburg v Port Melbourne, 3:15pm) will be live streamed via Cluch TV.

Werribee supporters attending Saturday's practice match will be able to purchase 2023 memberships on the day or can sign up now by visiting the WFC Online Shop HERE.

PRACTICE MATCH 1
Werribee vs Frankston
Saturday 4th March, 1:00pm
Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn
WATCH LIVE HERE

The Werribee Football Club on Monday announced a record profit for the financial year ending 31 October 2022. 

The result was confirmed at the 2022 Annual General Meeting at Chirnsides By The River and is the second straight year the club has recorded a profit coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.    

The club has now recorded a profit in 17 of the past 20 financial years.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Penaluna said it was outstanding result for the club. 

“The past few years at our club have certainly been a rollercoaster ride, suffering a large financial loss in 2020, a hard-fought profit in 2021 and now a record profit in 2022,” he said. 

“This is truly an amazing effort and I would particularly like to thank and congratulate the Werribee Football Club Board led by President Martin Carter, along with our staff, volunteers, sponsors and members.

“Everyone involved with our club should be proud because we have led the VFL community through these challenging times and now have so much to look forward to, both on and off the field in 2023 and beyond.” 

In addition to the presentation of the 2022 financial and annual reports, it was announced that Michael Wasley, Roland Brohaska and Jacqui Martin were all re-elected to their board positions on new two-year terms. 

With his re-election Brohashka extends his time as the club’s longest continual serving director, having remained on the board since first joining in 2006.

Also introduced was incoming board member Luke Gatti who will enter on a two-year term. 

You can view the 2022 Werribee Football Club Annual Report HERE. 

Werribee has shored up its defensive stocks by re-signing versatile talls Wardell Lual and Sam Witherden.

Lual, 24, added five games to his tally with the club in 2023 while playing at both ends of the ground.

The 192cm utility joined the club after making six appearances with the Casey Demons in 2019.

Witherden arrived at Avalon Airport Oval last season and spent the campaign plying his trade with North Shore in the Geelong Football League.

The 20-year-old played two VFL games for Sydney Swans as a top up in 2021 during his top-age year with the Geelong Falcons.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was great to have Lual and Witherden continue with the club.

“Wardell is a very athletic and exciting player who can line up in multiple positions,” he said.

“We’ve settled him in defence this preseason where he can use his speed and agility to play on both bigger and smaller opponents.

“Sam is a versatile defender who can also play through the midfield.

“He is a beautiful kick of the ball, provides plenty of energy around the group and has worked really hard to earn another year with the club.”

Werribee will up its preparations for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season by playing three practice matches next month ahead of the club’s Round 1 clash with Brisbane on March 25.

The Big W’s first trial game will take place as part of a Victorian standalone carnival on the first Saturday in March.

Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Northern Bullants, Williamstown and Werribee will all come together at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve for three seperate matches. 

The club is set to play Frankston in the second contest of the day.

Six days later we'll face Geelong under lights at the Cats’ GMHBA Stadium with the first bounce at 7pm.

The following Saturday the team will head in the opposition direction to St Kilda’s RSEA Park in Moorabbin for a final hit-out against Sandringham.

PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE

vs Frankston, Saturday 4 March
Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn
Time: 1pm

vs Geelong, Friday 10 March
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Time: 7pm

vs Sandringham, Saturday 18 March
RSEA Park, Moorabbin
Time: 2pm

In 2023, our goals are loftier, standards higher, and our people more driven than ever to make the season one to remember.

Check out all our membership packages HERE and be a part of the Werribee Football Club in 2023.