Werribee last week locked in its 42-man squad ahead of the commencement of the 2022 VFL season with Jay Dahlhaus signed to the club’s final list spot.  

Dahlhaus debuted for the club as an under 22 player in round one last year and now starts this season on Werribee’s primary list.  

The exciting small forward added size and explosiveness in the offseason before overcoming a preseason injury to impress in all four of the club’s recent practice matches. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said Dahlhaus had demonstrated a strong commitment to improve his body and game. 

“Jay had to work really had to earn his spot on the list in terms of his conditioning and getting his body ready for the rigours of VFL footy,” he said. 

“We set some targets for him at the end of last year and he’s gone out and achieved those with great enthusiasm.  

“Jay’s a great character, he’s a personality that provides great energy around our group and we’re excited to have his pressure and intensity around the contest.”  

Dahlhaus will retain the number 24 guernsey which he wore in his two games last year.  

In addition to the 42 players that make up the primary and development lists the club will carry an additional 12 players for the season.    

All 12 rookie players have been with the club for the duration of the preseason and can be brought onto either the primary or development lists at any stage in 2022.

Clubs can make a maximum of 16 list changes over the course of the season. 

Along with injury cover, the AFL’s COVID Top Up Players Contingency is another scenario which might open a list spot.  

Werribee along with the Northern Bullants have been aligned to the Sydney Swans who will have access to players from both clubs as part of the AFL COVID Contingency Plan.  

The Swans recently nominated Ollie Hanrahan, Shaun Mannagh, Nathan Cooper and Sam Paea as Werribee players they can call upon in the case that they fall below 30 available players of their own. 

Werribee wrapped up its preseason on Friday night with a trip to Highgate Reserve in Craigiebrun to again face a fellow standalone, Coburg on this occassion.

The club named a 28-man squad for the match and among it was a preseason debut for Jack Driscoll with the young ruckman returning to full fitness after a minor injury setback.

Werribee started the match well with key players Tom Gribble, Shaun Mannagh and Nick Coughlan among those to have an instant impact.

Up forward it was a trio of talented youngsters who helped the Big W out to an early lead with Hudson Garoni, Sam Paea and Saad El-Hawli all kicking first quarter goals. 

Coburg, a team that finished 2021 with a 3-7 record while losing four games by four points or less, provided a real challenege for Werribee through the second and third terms.

After holding the Big W to just two behinds in the third quarter the Lions went into the final term with a two-point advantage and quickly extended that when the final stanza got underway.

However, Werribee showed great character to wrestle back control as Gribble led the way in the centre of the ground and the likes of Jack Henderson and Kye Declase continually drove the ball inside 50.

With plenty of repeat entries Josh Porter and several other forwards were able to take advantage while in defence Nathan Cooper and Tom Boyd did all they could to ensure the team a fourth preseason win.

Scroll down to hear from senior coach Michael Barlow and young defender Jesse Clark.

MATCH DETAILS

Werribee: 3.2 6.6 6.8 10.14 (74)
Northern Bullants: 2.1 4.3 7.4 9.7 (61)

GOALS
Werribee: J. Porter 4, H. Garoni, S. Paea, S. El-Hawli, J. Henderson, J. Dahlhaus, S. Mannagh

BEST
Werribee: J. Porter, K. Declase, N. Cooper, J. Henderson, T. Gribble, T. Boyd 

NEXT MATCH

ROUND 1
Frankston v Werribee
Saturday March 26, 7.05pm
SkyBus Stadium, Frankston

Werribee Football Club is delighted to welcome Brooke Lochland in the role of Community Manager. 

Lochland, an AFLW player with the Western Bulldogs, will oversee the club’s football development programs and work closely with organisations such as Wyndham City Council, Western Region Football League, AFL Victoria, The Salvation Army, Reclink Victoria and local schools.

She arrives in the role having most recently worked as a coach with the Simon Black Football Academy and has previous experience in the fitness industry alongside a lengthy career as a professional athlete, first as a long track speed skater before joining the ranks of AFLW in 2016.  

Brooke said she was thrilled to accept the position and looks forward to helping grow football participation across Wyndham.  

“This is always something I wanted to do, and Werribee is a great club with great people involved and I can’t wait to really get stuck into the role,” she said. 

“From what I’ve seen the club values the community and what they do in the community and I’m excited to continue the great work that Hamish and Mar have done over the last few years.”  

Outgoing manager Hamish MacInnes will remain with the club and fulfil a part-time position in the community space while Mar Gattek continues in his role as Multicultural Development Officer.  

Werribee remains the only VFL club with a full-time Community Manager which it’s had since 2006.  

Werribee Football Club CEO Mark Penaluna said he anticipates Lochland having a significant impact in her new role.   

“We’re very excited to have Brooke join us and I’m sure she will do an outstanding job,” he said. 

“She comes here with a significant sporting background but also has a strong community feel and a lot of great ideas and really wants to assist the club grow in all areas.”