Three versatile talents with untapped potential will remain with Werribee next season after Tom Boyd, Ariek Lual and Logan Wagener all re-signed with the club.

Boyd, 22, has showed flashes of his talent across six games over the past two seasons and kicked a goal in both of his appearances in 2021 while taking one of the marks of the year against Collingwood.

Lual joined Werribee from Casey and the 23-year-old went on to play three times as a running defender in his debut season at Avalon Airport Oval.

Wagener also debuted in 2021 after winning one of the club’s final list spots.

The small but powerfully built 24-year-old played two games in Werribee colours this year while also adding two matches as a top-up for Gold Coast during the middle of the season.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was excited to work with all three once more.

“Tom has got raw talent, he’s a good size and has great athleticism. He played twice for us this season and displayed some nice attributes, he can intercept the ball really well and generally makes good decisions by foot," he said.

"We see him playing as a hybrid defender but with his versatility he can go forward or even play on a wing. Hopefully Tom can have a massive preseason to ready himself to release that potential.

“Ariek made his debut for Werribee this season and is another with raw athleticism, but his ability to make quality decisions with ball in hand is also a feature of his game.

"We’re continually working with Ariek on untapping his potential and we probably see his best position being in defence. However, he’s got the ability to play a multitude of positions for us going forward so it’s great to have Ariek recommit.

“Logan was one of our success stories of 2021 after coming on to our list late in the piece, his tenacity, aggression and willingness to compete was so eye catching that we just had to have him.

"He played a couple of games for Werribee this year but also played for the Gold Coast as a top-up where he displayed a good ability to win the ball and make good decisions. He encapsulates the club values, and we think he can play an important role for us a small forward in 2022.”

Werribee has received re-commitments from another three experienced heads with Nick Hayes, Joe Maishman and Louis Pinnuck signing on for 2022.  

Hayes who played an important role mainly as a high half-forward in his first season with the club brings great versatility at 188cm along with strong marking. 

The 27 year-old joined from Woodville-West Torrens after winning the 2020 SANFL premiership with the Eagles. He averaged 15 disposals and six marks while kicking 10 goals in nine matches for Werribee last season. 

While Hayes enters his second season at Avalon Airport Oval, Maishman and Pinnuck are currently two of the club’s longest servants having been on Werribee’s list since 2015 and 2017 respectively. 

Maishman who splits his time in the midfield and as a half-forward, has amassed 85 games for the club and kicked 48 goals, with his speed and ball use features of his play. 

Pinnuck, 23, has played 48 times for the Big W and averaged a career high 18.4 disposals in 2021. He again lined up across half-back and on the wing, where he offers a good mix of defence and attack.  

Werribee Football Manager Mark Micallef said it was fantastic to retain three of the club’s most experienced players.  

“Nick came to us from Adelaide from Woodville West Torrens at the start of this year and we could not be happier with what he’s brought to the club," he said.

He is extremely versatile, works hard and is a great character. He was very adamant that he wanted to play at least another year with us, so we’re excited to have him back and look forward to him continuing to establish himself as a leader here.

“Joe he’s been at the club for a number of years now and in that time has played a range of roles in our midfield.

"We really see him settling in to an inside-outside type midfielder as someone who provides speed and good ball use on the outside. What he offers is a great blend that works well with the likes of Gribble, Hanson and Brew on the inside. 

“Lou has re-signed for 2022 and we’re extremely delighted to have him back with his intercept marking as a defender but also as someone we can play a role through the midfield and have an impact.

"He’s a big body, competes extremely well and is dedicated to his craft and we look forward to seeing him capped as a 50-game player for Werribee next year.” 

Meanwhile, the club can confirm the departure of Max Spencer who will return to Queensland after three years with Werribee.  

The defender didn’t miss a game in his stint at Avalon Airport Oval playing all 20 matches in 2019 and all nine this season as a key member and leader of the back six. 

Although sad to see him go, the club thanks Max for three great years of service both on and off the field, and wishes him all the best with his move back north. 

He joins Wylie Buzza in returning to his home state for 2022. 

Matt Hanson has made history becoming the first Werribee player to win four Bruce Montgomery Trophy best and fairest awards. 

Hanson’s triumph was announced via a virtual awards presentation on Thursday night after he polled 44 votes to claim Werribee’s top honour for 2021. 

Hanson was tied alongside Travis Robertson who has three Werribee best and fairest awards, but now stands alone at the top of the list for the club’s most prestigious honour.  

This year’s runner-up was Shaun Mannagh who polled 36 votes in his first season with the club.  

The classy forward-mid was two votes clear of third place finisher Jack Henderson (34) with tall forward Hudson Garoni (32) and veteran ruckman Matt Lobbe (31) rounding out the top five.  

Hanson’s previous Bruce Montogomery Trophy wins came in consecutive years, from 2015-2017.   

Injury limited him to just five games in 2018 and 14 in 2019, but the 26 year-old was fully fit and back to his best in 2021 playing all nine matches during this year’s COVID-affected season. 

He averaged a career high 28.6 disposals per game, along with 4.6 marks and 5.1 tackles while leading the team in clearances (62) and inside 50s (54).  

He said it was a huge privilege to be awarded a fourth Bruce Montgomery Trophy.  

“It’s a massive honour, this one might have a little asterisk beside it being only nine games but yeah it’s incredible to win this award again,” he said.  

“I thought I was pretty consistent with my form, there’s obviously a lot of help going around in that midfield with some handy players there like (Tom) Gribble, Lobba (Lobbe) and Brewy (Dom Brew).“

“Those guys always contribute well and it’s always good to get feed work off Lobba and a few handballs off Gribble and Brewy, it all helps having those guys there.” 

“I’m very lucky to be at this club, it’s a very loyal club and I’m just thankful for all the support they’ve provided not only to me, but all the players and staff.” 

For Hanson, adding to the excitement of another Bruce Montogomery Trophy win is a personal milestone as he and partner Kat are set to welcome their first child in the coming weeks.  

Bruce Montogomery Trophy
Final Leaderboard

1.     Matt Hanson               44 votes
2.    Shaun Mannagh        36 votes
3.    Jack Henderson         34 votes
4.    Hudson Garoni           32 votes
5.    Matt Lobbe                  31 votes
6.    Tom Gribble                30 votes
7.    Michael Sodomaco   28 votes
       Max Spencer               28 votes
9.   Bior Malual                   27 votes
10.  Dom Brew                    26 votes
      Jesse Clark                  26 votes
12.  Nick Coughlan            24 votes
      Nathan Cooper          24 votes

Shaun Mannagh

After missing this year’s opening round clash against Collingwood, 2021 Bruce Montogomery Trophy runner-up Shaun Mannagh took little time to announce himself as a Werribee player.  

After signing with the club for 2020 and waiting more than a year to pull on the Big W, Mannagh was the club’s best player in his round 2 debut gathering 25 disposals against Williamstown.  

Over the remaining seven games of 2021 the 24 year-old collected 20 or more disposals on three occasions while kicking multiple goals in five outings to end the campaign with 15 majors. 

Mannagh also received this year’s Trainers and Property awards voted on by the medical training staff and the club’s property volunteers respectively.  

Several other players claimed multiple honours including Jack Henderson, who along with his best ever finish (3rd) in a Werribee best and fairest count, collected the 2021 Coaches Award.  

Midfield hard-nut Dom Brew added another Most Courageous Player Award and was also voted the Players’ Player for this season.  

Max Spencer who will depart the club and return home to Queensland this offseason was named the Best Defensive Player, with fellow defender Jesse Clark awarded Best First Year Player honours after an impressive debut season. 

Rising forward Hudson Garoni was named the Most Improved Player after announcing himself as one of the competition’s most promising key position prospects.

Additionally, captain Michael Sodomaco received Werribee Life Membership after notching his 100^th game for the club in early 2021. 

Sodomaco who has been at the club since 2011 reached triple figures in round 3 with the team enjoying an 81-point victory over Richmond.  

Club Chaplin Andrew Seedhom was the recipient of the Ray Smith Club Person Award for his volunteer contributions with the team.

2021 Award Winners

Property Award: Shaun Mannagh
Trainers Award: Shaun Mannagh
Community Award: Ryan Pendlebury:
Ray Smith Club Person: Andrew Seedhom
Local Player Award: Matt Brett (Darley)
Best First Year Player: Jesse Clark
Most Improved: Hudson Garoni
Most Courageous: Dom Brew
Players’ Player: Dom Brew
Leading Goal Kicker: Wylie Buzza (20 goals)
Best Defensive Player: Max Spencer
Life Membership: Michael Sodomaco

Live from 7pm on Thursday 21 October. Tune in as we celebrate the 2021 season and honour all our major award recipients as well as crown this year's Bruce Montgomery Trophy winner.