Skip to main content

Focus quickly shifts to year two for Barlow

With Michael Barlow's debut season as coach of Werribee disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the first-year mentor is now firmly focused on building on 2021 in year two of his tenure at Avalon Airport Oval.  

With the VFL home-and-away season ending two weeks ago, Werribee’s year came to a close after just nine games but, despite the stop-start nature of the season, Barlow will take away plenty from his initial campaign in charge.

“The learning experience of the year has been tremendous for me, I’ve got an understanding of what we’ve done well and what we can stick with, as well as what we can improve and adjust,” he said.  

“I’ve got a greater appreciation for what we’ve got at this club. I’m surrounded by a terrific team of coaches, football staff and volunteers and am thankful for the support from CEO Mark Penaluna and the board led by (president) Martin Carter.   

“We’ve got an incredible playing group, who even with the uncertainty of the season never wavered in their commitment, from not knowing when they’d be training again or when and who we might be playing.  

“Mark Micallef our football manger is six months into the job now and there’s a lot of confidence around what we’ve got and the framework that’s in place to succeed next year, so I’m really excited to begin preparing for 2022.”  

Barlow’s first season at the helm for Werribee ended in five wins and four losses and a ninth-place finish on the ladder.  

Werribee’s first victory came in Round 3, as the Big W defeated reigning VFL premiers Richmond by 80-points in captain Michael Sodomaco’s 100th game. The team’s five wins were by an average margin of 67 points while three of the club’s four losses were by 11 points or less.   

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said he was proud of what Barlow was able to achieve in a challenging season.   

“Mick did a great job in his first year, he came into the position late last December and then had to deal with all the challenges thrown up by the pandemic,” he said.  

“Most of the group began the season having not played in 18 months, but there were some good signs and the team won three games in a row before the season was first put on hold at the end of May.  

“Mick was able to keep players motivated in a landscape that was for ever changing, we’re very confident in his ability and look forward to seeing him get the best out of the group going forward.” 



Latest News


News

Read more …Focus quickly shifts to year two for Barlow

  • Hits: 2347

In The News: WFC Offers a Sports Career Learning Curve

As part of the Werribee Football Club’s community partnerships two students from SEDA College in Hawthorn are currently combining study and work placement at Avalon Airport Oval.

Tasked with jobs such as readying equipment for training sessions and match days, the students learn about all elements of the club and discover which part of the sporting industry they love most.

Werribee Football Club Community Development Manager, Hamish MacInnes, recently spoke to the Star Weekly about the program.

You can read the full article on the Star Weekly website HERE.
Read the full digitial edition of the Wyndham Star Weekly HERE.



Latest News


Read more …In The News: WFC Offers a Sports Career Learning Curve

  • Hits: 1847

Around the Grounds: Korewha Helps Koroit Claim Minor Premiership

With football restarting across country Victorian, 13 Werribee-listed players returned to the field at local level over the past weekend. 

The majority of those took to fields across the Geelong Football League while two others were able to suit up for their clubs in the Hampden and Ovens and Murray leagues.

GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Werribee captain Michael Sodomaco and promising defender Jesse Clark enjoyed a win in their debut match for St Joseph’s against Bell Park.  After being a late out for Werribee in the team’s last match against the Northern Bullants, Sodomaco got through unscathed in his first outing in a month.  Meanwhile, Clark impressed with his intercept marking and disposal efficiency in the seven-point win.

On the losing side for Bell Park were Keegan Gray and Aiden Domic. Gray finished among the best players for the Dragons having a big influence early with the home side holding a 17-point lead at halftime, while Domic also played his part before the Joey’s fought back and held on to claim the points.

In the other close match of the round Jay Dahlhaus, Max Augerionos and Darcy Chirgwin were all influential in seeing St Mary’s secure an 11-point win over Colac.  Dahlhaus kicked three goals for the second straight week and more pleasingly tackled and pressured well.

Joining Dahlhaus in the best was Augerinos who gathered 28 possessions, half of those contested, while also goaling to put the Saints ahead with five minutes to play.  Chirgwin played his part up forward getting involved in several scoring passages and ran out the game well with limited forward rotations.

The biggest winner for the round was Geelong West who downed North Shore by 102 points at West Oval.  
Emmanuel Ajang continued his great season with 28 disposals and a goal with his run and carry through the middle of the ground and burst from stoppages particularly impressive.  

Phillip Moi Moi also finished in the best players for the Giants after a dynamic game in which he kicked two majors and took a huge hanger.  He again excited with his speed and could have had an even bigger game had he been a little cleaner at ground level.

Additionally, Tyler Watts was solid for Geelong West as a key back in the first half before spending more time in the ruck later in the match. Watts didn’t get out marked and dominated the hit-outs when rucking.  Lachie Taylor lined up on the wing for the Giants but was well held by the Seagulls after playing some good football in previous rounds.

OVENS AND MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Hudson Garoni played his second match of the season for home club Wodonga Bulldogs and once again was his team’s best courtesy of a six-goal haul against Lavington.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get the hosts over the line with the Panthers claiming a nine-point win.  The key forward kicked seven goals in a best on ground in June in his only other appearances for the Bulldogs.

HAMPDEN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Tex Korewha was a part of a big win for Koroit as the Saints claimed the Hapden League minor premiership in style with a 154-point triumph over Cobram.  In his second game back from injury Korewha worked tirelessly and contested well spending time in multiple positions in the final home and away fixture.



Latest News


Read more …Around the Grounds: Korewha Helps Koroit Claim Minor Premiership

  • Hits: 2292

Lockdown Extension Ends Home and Away Season and Our 2021 Campaign

The 2021 VFL home-and-away season and that of the Werribee Football Club has come to an end following the Victorian Government announcement that metropolitan Melbourne will remain in lockdown until Thursday 2nd September.

On Tuesday the AFL confirmed that all Round 19 matches would not proceed. The league will look to commence a three-week top-eight finals series on the weekend of September 4 & 5. Werribee finishes 9th on the ladder based on a match ratio formula.

Werribee Football Club president Martin Carter issued this statement following the AFL's announcement on Tuesday afternoon. 

"This is certainly not the end to the season we were hoping for, but it is the reality of the times we are operating in," Mr Carter said.

"It is very disappointing for our players, coaches, staff and volunteers who have been through some enormous challenges in the past two seasons.

"We understand that a decision had to be made and a system implemented to bring this season to a conclusion. We wish all teams in the VFL finals the best of luck.

"We thank our sponsors and members for their continued support and look forward to the 2022 season."


AFL STATEMENT

As a result of the evolving COVID-19 situation across the country, previous interruptions to scheduled games and an extension to the Victorian State Government lockdown, the 2021 VFL home-and-away season has finished. The league has confirmed the match ratio system has determined the final ladder positions ahead of the 2021 VFL Finals Series starting on Saturday September 4, 2021.

The finals will retain the top eight clubs but in an elimination format should they be able to start on the weekend of September 4. The AFL has put a contingency in place should there be any further delays.

AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said the VFL community continues to navigate its way through a challenging year for sport and although the conclusion to the season looks different, it was the only system to reward a Premier.

“The 2021 season has been a challenge to everyone connected to football. The AFL is very proud of how all VFL clubs, players, officials, supporters and corporate partners managed through a difficult year and kept their communities connected,” Salter said.

“All 22 clubs continue to play a vital role in keeping their suburban and regional networks engaged. We acknowledge the importance they have played as pillars of their local communities and remain so important to growing and nurturing our national code.”

“We’ve seen 107 exceptional games of football this season with the engagement in the VFL in 2021 highlighting how important football is to so many people across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The VFL maintains a strong presence in the football landscape and the role it plays in the growth of our game should never be underestimated.”

“We have witnessed a very even competition so far and the compilation of the top eight presents an exciting Finals Series ahead. We will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community,” Salter said.

While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, the health and welfare of our players and the community remains the priority and all matches will operate in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments, public health officials and medical experts. Strict protocols will be in place to protect players, officials, staff and the wider public at all matches when they return.

2021 VFL Premiership Ladder – Match Ratio Formula

Club G W L D Win % Percentage
1 Footscray 10 10 0 0 100 169.74
2 Southport 10 9 1 0 90 180.72
3 Box Hill Hawks 10 8 2 0 80 167.7
4 Geelong 9 7 2 0 77.77 167.3
5 Casey Demons 9 7 2 0 77.77 166.6
6 Williamstown 9 6 2 1 72.22 136.41
7 Collingwood 9 6 3 0 66.66 92.68
8 GWS Giants 11 7 4 0 63.63 94.35
9 Werribee 9 5 4 0 55.55 147.49
10 Frankston 11 6 5 0 54.54 103.79
11 Richmond 10 4 5 1 45 103.4
12 Carlton 9 4 5 0 44.44 101.28
13 Sandringham 9 4 5 0 44.44 94.13
14 Gold Coast Suns 10 4 6 0 40 76.8
15 North Melbourne 10 4 6 0 40 56.95
16 Coburg 10 3 7 0 30 95.08
17 Brisbane Lions 10 3 7 0 30 65.71
18 Northern Bullants 10 3 7 0 30 62.61
19 Sydney Swans 10 2 8 0 20 88.9
20 Essendon 10 2 8 0 20 64.41
21 Port Melbourne 9 1 8 0 11.11 67.42
22 Aspley 10 1 9 0 10 73.01

The 2021 VFL Finals Series will revert to a full knockout competition, with first playing eighth, second v seventh, third v sixth and fourth v fifth in the first week. Week Two would then see the four winners matched-up in the VFL Preliminary Final.

A further reduction that only allows a two-week finals series would mean teams 5-8 are eliminated and it will be first v fourth and second v third for a spot in the VFL Grand Final.

All VFL clubs in the top eight have confirmed they will be in a position to play games once the Victorian State Lockdown ends on Thursday September 2.

VFL Finals Games will continue to be shown with broadcast partners the Seven Network, Foxtel and Kayo.

As the only team currently based outside of Victoria, the AFL is continuing to work with Southport to explore all possible arrangements to have them play in the 2021 VFL Finals after finishing second.

The AFL will explore all options to investigate ways to get fans back to the footy as safely and as soon as possible. VFL and VFL Club digital channels will have all the ticketing information for fans as each weekend’s games are released and fans can return to matches.



Latest News


News

Read more …Lockdown Extension Ends Home and Away Season and Our 2021 Campaign

  • Hits: 1934