Werribee has gained one of the VFL’s most promising young talls with the signature of Jack Boyd for 2023.

The 21-year-old arrives at Avalon Airport Oval after playing every game for the Northern Bullants over the past two seasons.

Having split his time between attack and the ruck a year ago the 196cm Northern Knights product spent more time as a permanent forward in 2022.

He booted 24 goals this season including a career-best four majors against Carlton in round 10 before rounding out the campaign with an impressive 22-possession game at Werribee.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said Boyd’s signing was an exciting coup for the club.

“Jack’s a good athlete with a strong set of hands,” he said.

“We see him mainly as a key forward but he’s also capable of playing in the ruck where he can provide a strong presence around the ball.

“As a forward we think he can establish a really good partnership with Hudson Garoni but we’re also excited by the look of our forward line with the other options we have up there.”

Werribee has added speed to its 2023 playing list signing midfielder Bailey Henderson from Richmond VFL.  

Henderson, 23, spent four years at Punt Road and was a member of the Tigers’ leadership group in 2022. 

The 189cm Castlemaine product enjoyed a consistent campaign this year while appearing in a career-high 14 games. 

His move to Avalon Airport Oval comes after playing alongside Werribee co-captain Dom Brew in the Northern Territory in 2020. 

“Bailey’s an exciting player who can play in a number of positions,” Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said.  

“He brings good speed on the outside and also displayed strong ball winning ability and decision making in his time with Richmond. 

“Bailey also fits well with our culture and has already impressed with his leadership, so he’s a quality addition to our club.” 

Longevity at football clubs generally revolves around the number of games a player has appeared in, the number of years the property steward has been handing out jumpers and socks, or the endless service of the handful of volunteers who do everything from cooking snags to emptying bins.  

But what about sponsors? Longevity is a rare commodity for sponsorship of a football club for a number of reasons, but the Werribee Football Club has a long-term relationship that epitomizes the values of the club and the family that has been the club’s major sponsor for more than two decades.  

Now entering a 24^th year as major sponsor under the banner of CB Motor Group, Tino Ballan and his family have been behind the club through the good times and bad. The unwavering bond continues as the Ballan family expand their business beyond the iconic Ballan Holden to a new era as CB Motor Group encompassing The Motor Place, The Caravan Place and The Boating Place. 

Two organisations built on loyalty, pride and the pursuit of success. Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said the continued partnership with CB Motor Group was great news for the club.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to have CB Motor Group commit for another year as the club’s major sponsor,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of the long-standing relationship with Tino and Robyn and the Ballan family and can’t thank them enough for their continued support."

Werribee Football Club president Martin Carter and CB Motor Group's Tino Ballan.

Werribee has re-signed key position players Sam Paea and Aidan Johnson for 2023.  

Paea enters his second year at Avalon Airport Oval having joined the club following the completion of his NAB League career with the Calder Cannons.  

He played eight games in 2022 and averaged a goal a game after booting three majors in the final round of the season. 

Johnson, a mature bodied and versatile tall is looking to put a disappointing year behind him after being hampered by persistent injuries over the past 12 months. 

The 22-year-old made his VFL debut in the club’s final game of 2021 after signing mid-season following some strong play for Ovens and Murray outfit Lavington. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was pleased to have the pair returning. 

“Sam is a powerful key forward/ruck who showed some good signs in his eight games this year,” he said. 

“He’s still developing but he has a lot of potential and we’re excited to see what he can do with another preseason in our program.

“Aidan is a really strong and competitive key position player who we think has the ability to play a number of different roles. 

“He’s had some injuries issues since being here but he’s building back to full fitness now and hopefully he can put his best foot forward next season.”