The Werribee Football Club is pleased to announce the reappointment of Michael Barlow as senior coach for another two seasons. 

Barlow’s two-year contract extension will see him remain at the helm of the club until at least the end of the 2024 season. 

“I have a huge admiration for the players, staff and volunteers within our club and their commitment to the program made this decision very simple for me,” Barlow said. 

“My connection to this club and league is significant and I’m excited for that to continue. To have recommitted for a further two years, I appreciate the vote of confidence shown in me from the Werribee board, CEO Mark Penaluna, football manager Mark Micallef, and most importantly my playing group led our captains Tom Gribble and Dom Brew.  

“My immediate focus is the next two months and preparing our group as best we can for the last four games of the home and away season. We will stay in the moment and look to further build on our strong football program.”

The second-year mentor and former Werribee player is 23 games into his coaching tenure after being appointed in December 2020 following Mark Williams’ return to the AFL with Melbourne. 

This year the club is firmly in the mix to play finals with Werribee currently occupying eighth spot on the ladder.

President Martin Carter said Barlow has an innate ability to relate to all walks of life something that resonates with the entirety of the playing list and those at the club.  

"Michael has a clear passion to continue to lead our club and what he has achieved at the helm this year, in his first full season is outstanding,” Carter said.  

“With Michael’s football intelligence, his relationship building skills, and his ability to develop an extremely competitive and united team we look forward to finishing the 2022 season on a high.”

Werribee suffered its sixth loss of the year in Round 17 going down at Box Hill by seven points in the annual contest for the Beyond Blue Cup.

Despite the loss Werribee remains inside the top eight with the team to have its final bye this week before the last four home and away games of the season. 

FINAL SCORE
Werribee: 3.4 4.5 9.9 11.14 (80)
Box Hill: 2.1 4.10 6.11 12.15 (87)

GOALS
Werribee: O. Hanrahan 4, N. Hayes 2, D. Brew, D. Cassar, S. Mannagh, J. Porter, M. Sodomaco.
Box Hill: F. Greene 6, L. Shiels 2, B. Cavarra, J. Parsons, J. Serong, J. Thorpe.

BEST
Werribee: O. Hanrahan, K. Declase, L. Pinnuck, N Coughlan, L. Rocci, T. McCaffrey
Box Hill:

HOW IT HAPPENED
Michael Sodomaco was a late change for Bior Malul and it was the game day inclusion that would kick Werribee’s first goal of the game, doing so from inside the centre square with the former captain’s long range effort bouncing through after just two minutes of play. Werribee added a second courtesy of strong mark and 50 metre penalty to Nick Hayes before Shaun Mannagh pushed Werribee’s advantage to 14 points, 20 minutes in after winning a free kick in the pocket and goaling with a classy snap. Noah Gribble had a busy first term with nine disposals, while a team high 21 intercept possessions and seven spoils saw the Big W end the quarter with a nine-point lead.

With the breeze favouring the pavilion end of the ground the Hawks took control of the contest in the second term. After an early goal to the hosts, Werribee was able to limit the damage for the next 10 minutes, but after 12 minutes a second Box Hill major completed the first lead change of the day. Josh Porter reduced the margin to two points at the 21-minute mark, kicking truly following a spearing pass from Tom McCaffrey, who impressed on the wing in his fourth game of the season. Fellow wingman Kye Declase also found plenty of ball in the term, while down back Lucas Rocci limited the impact of the dangerous Ben Cavarra. Werribee trailed by five points at the main break after Box Hill added three late behinds.

The home team were again first on the board when the second half got underway, but the Big W’s response came swift thanks to former Hawk Ollie Hanrahan who booted back-to-back goals to give Werribee back the lead after seven minutes. Hanrahan first pounced on a loose ball at top of the 50 and nailed the goal across his body before getting on the end of Matt Hanson’s next centre clearance and converting from outside 50. Midway through the term Hayes and Darcy Cassar helped stretch Werribee’s lead further, with Cassar’s first VFL goal giving the Big W a 16-point buffer at the 20-minute mark. The margin would remain 16 points at the end of the third as a late Dom Brew goal cancelled out Box Hill’s second major of the quarter.

Werribee failed to extend its advantage early in the final quarter but after three straight misses, two of those by Hanrahan, the number two made no mistake with his next attempt goaling from 45 metres to have the Big W out by 25 points eight minutes into the term. Box Hill hit back with two goals and when Hanrahan bagged his fourth of the afternoon with a kick out of mid-air Werribee’s lead was 20 points with just 13 minutes to play. However, the Hawks would have the final seven scoring shots of the day as Werribee struggled to get its hands on the ball in the later stages of the game. The hosts went ahead at the 29-minute mark and then a minute later Werribee needed two goals to achieve victory which ultimately proved too much to overcome in the final three minutes.

KEY PLAYERS
Kye Declase: 27 disposals (17 K), 8 marks (2 CM), 4 I50s, 6 score involvements, 2 tackles. 
Ollie Hanrahan: 24 disposals (16 K), 6 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, 4 goals.
Lou Pinnuck: 23 disposals (18 K), 7 marks, 10 intercept possessions, 4 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s.
Tom McCaffrey: 20 disposals (13 K), 4 marks, 11 handball receives, 3 score involvements, 3 tackles. 
Dom Brew: 19 disposals (12 K), 12 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 8 score involvements, 8 tackles, 1 goal. 
Nick Coughlan: 18 disposals (16 K) at 88% efficiency, 6 marks (3 CM, 5 IM), 10 rebound 50s, 2 tackles.
Nick Hayes: 15 disposals (13 K), 9 marks (5 CM), 4 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals.

VIEW ROUND 17 IMAGE GALLERY

Several players continue to push their case for VFL selection with strong displays at local level. See who all the top performers were and who enjoyed wins with their community clubs last weekend. 

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Saad El-Hawli – Altona

Among the top players for an undermanned Vikings who inflicted Caroline Spring’s first loss of the season. Again, had plenty of responsibility down back and bounced back well from some first half errors to play a crucial role when the game was in the balance. Had 28 disposals and four tackles.  

Akol Deng – Yarraville Seddon

Had a good day in an eight-point win over Point Cook. Finished with 44 hit-outs and 16 disposals while providing some excellent contests up forward, two of which resulted in goals and helped swing the momentum of the game.

Lochie Smart – Deer Park

Played as a permanent forward and had no problems getting shots on goal. Missed a few gettable chances but finished with two majors and 16 disposals along with three tackles as the Lions defeated Hopper Crossing by 31 points.

Harrison White- Werribee Districts (Local Player of the Week)

Best on ground in a losing effort versus Spotswood. With several key midfielders missing moved inside and impressed, reading the ball well off hands at stoppages while providing penetration from the contest. Tallied 24 disposals, six clearances, 10 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s and four tackles.

Connor Thar – Werribee Districts

Had his day end early after getting some pain in his ankle in the opening exchanges against the Woodsmen.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Sam Clohesy – St Joseph’s

Worked hard up and down the ground all game and was strong in the air in a 50-point victory over North Shore. Collected 17 disposals and kicked a goal in win number eight for the Joeys.

Sam Witherden – North Shore

Found a lot of the ball in the loss to St Joseph’s. Was one of his team’s best with a consistent four quarter showing that culminated in 28 disposals along with nine clearances and eight inside 50s.

Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West

Again played above the level to be amongst the best players for the Giants in their loss to Grovedale. Impacted the game well gathering 21 disposals and four tackles.

Matt Keast – St Mary’s

Played a negating role on former AFL player Darcy Lang and limited his influence to help the Saints overcome a higher placed Colac side by two goals. Was disciplined with his task but also impacted the game offensively using his 20 disposals well.   

Joe Maishman – St Mary’s

Copped a knock to the hip early and was limited for the remainder of the game against the Tigers.

Toby Mahoney – Bell Park

Worked his way into the match after a slow start and was a solid contributor in the second half finishing the day with 17 disposals and five tackles as the Dragons topped St Albans by 70 points.

Gennaro Bove – Newtown & Chilwell

Played his role in a crucial five-point triumph over Leopold. Kicked a goal from his 12 possessions and pressured the opposition with five tackles.

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Daniel Sharrock – Wangaratta Magpies

Won a lot of the ball in a big win over Corowa-Rutherglen. Collected 30 disposals at 86% efficiency with some great entries inside 50. Also laid eight tackles in the 117-point triumph.  

BENDIGO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Brady Rowles – Eaglehawk

Embraced a move from the wing into the midfield and was a strong contributor with 23 disposals, seven marks and goal as the Two Blues enjoyed an impressive win against Kangaroo Flat.

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ariek Lual – Melton Centrals

Featured prominently in a 73-point win over Lancefield. Kicked a goal and was named in the top two players for Blues for the third straight match.  

After two home games Werribee is back on the road in Round 17 facing Box Hill on Saturday in the annual contest for the Beyond Blue Cup.

After collected an eighth win of the campaign Werribee has moved ahead of Box Hill on the ladder for the first time this season with the Big W currently occupying sixth spot with five games to play.

Box Hill (7-6) will be out to get their season back on track having fallen to ninth following three straight losses - the latest to Southport, and no doubt will prove a tough task at home.

Werribee members are entitled to half-price entry at away games so be sure to present your 2022 membership at the gate, otherwise tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for valid concessions, with kids under 15 free.

Patrons can enter via the main gate on Whitehorse Road or at the rear of the venue off Bolton Street.

Visit match centre on afl.com.au.

ROUND 17
Werribee vs Box Hill
Saturday July 16, 2.05pm
Box Hill City Oval