Werribee chief executive officer Mark Penaluna has been awarded Life Membership of the VFL. 

Penaluna received the honour for ‘special service to the VFL or to football in general’ during the competition’s 2021 Awards Ceremony on Thursday night.  

A renowned football administrator for over 25 years, Penaluna’s time in the VFL landscape began in October 2003 when he took on the General Manager position at the Werribee Football Club. 

He is currently the longest-serving CEO of a VFL club, and even after the events of the past 18 months, the man affectionately known as Pena, continues to work tirelessly to ensure the sustained success of his 57-year-old club, while continuing to advocate for the VFL and Australian Rules football. 

Penaluna has compiled a significant list of achievements in his 18 years of administration at VFL level. 

His most recent feat was playing an instrumental role in securing $975,000 in funding for VFL clubs this year, to assist with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Other milestones under Penaluna’s leadership include Werribee being the first VFL club to employ a full-time Community Development Officer, a role which promotes AFL to thousands across the Wyndham community every year. 

Additionally, he was one of the driving forces behind the $11.75 million Avalon Airport Oval redevelopment which transformed the venue from a small, outdated facility to one of best amongst state-level sporting clubs.  

The ground has since hosted an AFLW match, an AFL pre-season match and the 2021 NAB League Girls Grand Final.  

Penaluna has also fostered a stronger relationship with the Western Regional Football League with Avalon Airport Oval becoming the unofficial home of local football finals in the west. 

Werribee president Martin Carter said the Penaluna’s life membership with the league was much deserved.

“Mark’s longevity in the VFL and at Werribee FC particularly for 18 years is testament to his character, loyalty persistence, respect, honesty and commitment to the cause,” he said.

“Mark is a hands-on administrator that has done everything from CEO down to umpire’s escort, there’s nothing he hasn’t done to make sure that Werribee FC was and is in a better place.

“Often the catalyst for liaison with a myriad of stakeholders, from the AFL, VFL and Football Vic to local government he typifies everything that is positive about community football and community sport.

“He is a most deserving humble VFL Life Member that is respected by anyone and everyone that is lucky enough to work with him.”

Penaluna joins Simon Atkins, David Lyons, Donald McDonald, John Nicol James Podsiadly, Len 'Tiger' Ryan, Nathan Saunders and Ray Smith as figures associated with Werribee to have earnt VFL Life Membership.  

Werribee has re-signed home-grown talents Lucas Rocci and Connor Thar and one of the club’s finds of last season in Harry Stubbings.  

All three debuted in the VFL in 2021 with Rocci and Stubbings each playing six matches while Thar played the final three games of the year after debuting in Round 11. 

Thar, a Werribee Districts and Western Jets product has been on Werribee’s list since 2019. 

After overcoming several significant injuries to earn his VFL debut Thar didn’t waste his opportunity, showing plenty of craftiness as a small forward while kicking multiple goals on two occasions. 

Fellow Districts junior and Jets standout Rocci signed at Avalon Airport Oval for 2020 after winning the Morrish Medal in his final season of NAB League footy. 

He took on a similar role to his under 18 days playing as small defender with play making abilities.  

Despite Stubbings being one of the final additions to the Werribee list ahead of the 2021 campaign, the 20 year-old impressed early, finding a role in the side as a pacy half-forward/winger while averaging a goal a game. 

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said it was great for the club to retain three of its most promising players. 

“Connor is arguably the most dedicated player on our list, he doesn’t leave any stone unturned in his quest to be the best footballer he can be. He’s a local Werribee person who we are extremely delighted to have for another year. He played in three games this year and looked more than up to the level, and we think he can be a long term VFL player for us,” he said. 

“Lucas is another Werribee local whose development over the course of this year was fantastic. He’s a player you can assign a job to and can also provide some drive off halfback. He started to work closely with our skipper Michael Sodomaco just picking apart his game and identifying where he can improve, so we’re very pleased to get Lucas' deal done for 2022. 

“Harry is an exciting forward prospect for us who plays his local footy at Old Scotch. His speed is electrifying and he provides our group with a different dynamic with his speed and explosiveness. Harry’s a great character to have around the football club and we’re keen to see his development continue over the next 12 months.”  

Two of Werribee’s breakout stars along with a mid-season recruit have put pen to paper to remain at Avalon Airport Oval next season.

Shaun Mannagh and Hudson Garoni were among Werribee’s most important players in 2021 while Aidan Johnson’s recommitment is good news for the club’s key position stocks.

This season was Mannagh’s first at Werribee after playing 26 times for Richmond’s VFL side over three campaigns.

After missing selection in Round 1, the pacy half-forward/mid starred in his debut the following week against Williamstown and immediately became one of the team’s most damaging players.

He averaged 20 disposals across eight matches and booted 15 goals while also leading the team in both inside 50s and score assists per game.

After joining Werribee in 2019 and making two appearances, Garoni played every game this season while emerging as one of the best young key forwards in the VFL.  

He led the team with 19 contested marks and was second in the club’s goal kicking with 17 majors.

Garoni and Mannagh who both hail from the Albury Wodonga region are joined in re-signing by another former Ovens and Murray standout in Johnson who made the move to Werribee after a couple of strong seasons for Lavington.

Johnson made his debut in the final game of the season as a late replacement for captain Michael Sodomaco with the club excited by his ability to play as a key forward and in the ruck.

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said all three will be crucial for the club going forward.  

“Hudson had a fantastic year. After 2020 was cancelled how he approached the year was first class. He came back to us in ripping condition and has continued to work his backside off. Hudson’s extremely coachable and with young key forwards being so hard to come by, we think we have arguably the best one in the VFL, and we believe he has the potential to play at a higher level,” he said.

“Shaun was also outstanding in 2021 and is someone we expect to be right up there in our best and fairest. He is one of the first at the club each session and is really committed to working on his craft day in and day out. He’s got really good running capacity and can hit the scoreboard on a regular basis, and we can’t wait to have him back as an important part of our forward/mid rotation.

“Our recruiters did a magnificent job identifying Aidan playing at Lavington. We were really keen to get him down mid-season and sign him for the remainder of the year. Aidan has a lot of attributes we were looking for and his ability to play as a key forward and in the ruck is a great addition for us. We look forward to seeing what he can do in 2022 with a full VFL preseason under his belt.”

Werribee will have a connection to several involved in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final most notably with former player Ben Brown set to line up in attack for Melbourne. 

Brown was drafted into the AFL from Werribee after joining the club for the 2013 season when he relocated to Victoria from Tasmania to pursue his goal of playing in the AFL. 

He played 18 games for Werribee in 2013 and impressed with 28 goals which led to North Melbourne selecting the 200cm forward with pick 47 in that year’s national draft.  

After spending the first seven seasons of his AFL career with the Roos, Brown joined Melbourne for the 2021 campaign. 

Despite only managing three games through the first 16 rounds of the season Brown has become an integral part of the Demons’ forward line since, playing every game after earning a recall in Round 17. 

Saturday’s decider will be his first on the biggest stage.  

Unlike Brown, former Werribee coach Mark “Choco” Williams will be involved in the final match of the season for the third time, all of those as senior coach or as a member of the coaching staff.  

Williams who is now Head of Development for Melbourne, coached Werribee in 2019 and remained at Avalon Airport Oval for the cancelled 2020 VFL season before departing last December to take on his role with the Demons. 

He of course coached Port Adelaide to premiership glory and the club’s first ever AFL flag in 2004 and was also at the helm for the Power during a losing effort against Geelong in 2007.   

Although not playing in the grand final, Kye Decalse is another former Werribee player now at the Dees. 

The most recent Werribee player to graduate to the AFL, Declase joined Melbourne at the start of June when the utility was acquired with pick 15 in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.  

He played 35 games in three seasons wearing the Big W. 

The connections to the grand final teams don’t end there with the Western Bulldogs previously aligned with Werribee from 2000-2007 following the amalgamation of the AFL reserves and the VFL. 

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was fantastic to see former Werribee people involved in the biggest game of the year.   

“It’s fantastic to see Werribee represented in the AFL Grand Final with Ben and Mark who will be heavily involved on the day, but also with Kye as a member of the Melbourne playing group,” he said. 

“All three made significant contributions to the Werribee Football Club during their time with us and we’re really proud of what they have already achieved and will potentially be a part of at Melbourne.  

“We wish everyone involved from both teams the best of luck and hope it’s a memorable grand final.”