Third year players Lucas Rocci and Emmanuel Ajang and first year players Sam Clohesy and Darcy Cassar have re-signed for next season.

All four battled injury at different stages in 2022 but showed their potential when given the opportunity throughout the campaign.

Small defender Rocci added another six games after debuting for the club in 2021 while powerful inside midfield Ajang had a significant impact in his first VFL match which came in the final round of this season.

Clohesy and Cassar, both outside midfielders, impressed in their first few Werribee outings with Closhesy playing five straight games in the middle of the year while Cassar made three appearances after being given his chance in round 15.

“We’re excited to have more of the club’s promising young talent re-sign for next year,” football manager Mark Micallef said.

“Rocci is a local Werribee product who we’re thrilled to have back, he works hard and is a tough shut-down defender who can also create some good drive from the back half.

“Emmanuel was the feel-good story at the end of the year for us cracking the team and absolutely making the most of his opportunity by winning our Trademark Player of the Game Award.

“Sam is tall, hard running outside player who can play multiple roles and we look forward to see what he can develop into with another preseason.

“Darcy had an untimely injury just before the start of the season but got his chance later in the year and we’re excited by his ability to find ball and get in good spots on the outside.”

Four more of Werribee’s most important players are returning next season with Mattt Hanson, Nick Coughlan, Lou Pinnuck and Keegan Gray all re-signing with the club.  

Four-time Bruce Montgomery Trophy winner Hanson is just six appearances away from notching 100 games in black and gold having been at the club since 2015. 

Former Murray Bushrangers Coughlan and Pinnuck formed one of the team’s most exciting combinations in 2022 with their intercept marking and rebound from defence. 

Pinnuck played all 18 games and was crucial as the team’s second or third main defender, while vice-captain Coughlan was brilliant upon his return to the side after missing the first six games of the campaign. 

Gray, who lined up in a career-best 15 games this year, was also an important part of the backline at times while also providing plenty of drive on the wing.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was delighted to have all four re-commit. 

“Matt missed some games through injury again this season, but his credentials speak for themselves and we look forward to him remaining a key part of our midfield in 2023, he said. 

“Cogs is extremely important to our set-up as a team, he’s the defensive general down back and is fantastic at directing and getting the best out of his teammates. 

“Lou had an outstanding year and is now a really experienced player at this level with next season to be his seventh year at the club.  

“Keegan’s strongest assets are his run and disposal by hand and foot, and he has the potential to go to another level by rounding out the rest of his game.” 

Meanwhile, the club has farewelled assistant coaches Tom Perrett and James Saker. 

Perrett has moved on after three years at Avalon Airport Oval, his first two as the backline/defensive coach before taking charge of the team’s forwards this past season. 

Former Werribee defender Saker returned to the club in 2022 stepping into Perrett’s previous position. 

He will make his return to senior coaching in 2023 with Bell Park in the Geelong Football League. 

Several of Werribee’s brightest young prospects have re-committed for a second season at Avalon Airport Oval.  

Noah Gribble, Matt Keast, Flynn Young and Gennaro Bove all joined the club for 2022, straight from the Geelong Falcons.

Gribble played 11 VFL games this past season and had no trouble finding the football averaging 17.4 disposals per outing.

Keast showed promise in nine matches after first cracking the team in round seven while Young earned a final round debut against the Northern Bullants and finished the match with a couple of goals.

Bove spent much of the year working his way back to full fitness following offseason shoulder surgery but has impressed with his character and work ethic.

“It’s great to have these young Ex-Geelong Falcons players re-commit for 2023, all four showed a lot of promise in their first season with the club,” football manager Mark Micallef said.

“Noah made his debut for the club in 2021 and played some good footy this year while Keasty was a bit of a surprise packet debuting mid-year and looking more than up to the level with some nice performances, primarily playing on a wing.

“Flynn was invited to our trial day and immediately caught our eye, he has some impressive traits which he displayed for Grovedale before being rewarded with a VFL debut.

“Gennaro is a high character individual and we’re excited to see what he can offer as small forward or high half-forward with a full preseason under his belt.”