Werribee has strengthened its key defensive stocks signing young backman Sam Witherden.  

Witherden is another who returned to the NAB League for his 19^th year in 2021 while also getting a taste of VFL football during the middle part of the season.  

After appearing in the opening three games for the Geelong Falcons, a knee injury kept Witherden out for eight weeks before he returned and made two appearances for the Sydney Swans as a top-up player.  

Witherden, who was also hindered by injury in 2019 with a six-month long hip issue, hopes to put those troubles behind him now and enjoy an injury free run with Werribee.

“Having missed a fair few games over the last couple of years I’m just looking for consistency with my game and body and see where I can take my footy in 2022,” he said. 

“I came down for the trial week and ever since have fallen in love with the place, the boys have made it feel like home.   

“Whenever we do our defensive craft, I’ve kind of clung on to Coops (Nathan Cooper) whether he likes it or not, and it’s been good to just bounce ideas of each other and it has made it a lot easier to kind of find my feet.”  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said there is plenty of potential in the 19-year-old Witherden.  

“Sam’s had an injury interrupted last few years, but we think his best football is all in front of him and we’re really excited to see what he can do at Werribee this season,” he said.  

“He’s the younger brother of West Coast Eagle Alex Witherden and has really impressed us so far. 

“He’s a great character, displays leadership and direction and provides a lot of energy for the whole playing group.”  

Last year’s Western Region Football League Rookie of the Year, Saad El-Hawli has signed with Werribee for the upcoming season.   

The former Western Jets player impressed in his first season of senior football finishing as Altona’s leading goal kicking with 26 majors while earning selection in the 2021 WRFL Team of the Year.  

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said El-Hawli deserved his spot on the list after standing out among the group of players that trialed with the club early this preseason.  

“Saad is a hard running and quick player who has got really good bounce and foot skills,” he said. 

“He has the ability to play multiple roles but will start as a forward with us.  

“Saad’s story is great one, he actually approached Choco Williams a couple of years ago about the opportunity to train with the club, he got his chance this preseason and hasn’t put a foot wrong. 

“We look forward to seeing what he can develop into over the course of the 2022 season.” 

El-Hawli, 20 said he is looking to make the most of his opportunity at Avalon Airport Oval. 

“A lot of setbacks along the way but I just had faith in myself and what I’m capable of and thankful that Werribee sees my potential and gives me a crack at it this year,” he said. 

“It’s all been smooth sailing so far; the club makes everything pretty simple and the coaches and boys get around you a lot which I appreciate. 

“I’m just going about things day-by-day and session to session trying to get better as we go, and hopefully I can be an asset to the team. 

“The coaches want me to use my speed as my strong point and I’m just trying to make sure my work at training is top notch.” 

Werribee has signed a second Calder Cannons graduate for 2022 in midfielder Sam Clohesy.  

The 189-cm onballer arrives at Avalon Airport Oval after some impressive form for Calder along with two outings in the VFL for the Sydney Swans when based in Melbourne for several weeks last year.   

Clohesy averaged 20 disposals across seven NAB League games and displayed his ball winning ability on VFL debut gathering 17 disposals and five tackles against Frankston in round 12.   

Werribee football manager Mark Micallef said the club was thrilled to secure another exciting midfield talent.  

“Sam is a really quick inside outside midfielder who has been a part of several different programs in recent years, including the Gold Coast Academy before moving back to Victoria,” he said.  

“Sam was highly sought after as he showed he is capable of playing at the level with his two performances for Sydney last year, and we think there’s really good scope for him in our system. 

“He’s a really good trainer who is committed to working on his body to take his game to another level and we think he fits really well with our culture.”  

Residing in Geelong and knowing several players already on the list, Clohesy said Werribee was a great fit for the next step in his career.  

“Coming out of the NAB League and looking at VFL options Werribee was a club close to home and a few of my older mates here said the club’s great, so I’m rapt to be a part of it,” he said.   

“I jumped around a fair bit last year (Clohesy was also a mid-season addition to Coburg’s list) but getting to play a couple of VFL games was a big step up, but I loved it.  

“I’m obviously hopefully to play as many games as I can in 2022, but we’ll see how this year goes, I just want to really enjoy my footy.” 

Werribee has continued its recruiting pipeline in Tasmania bringing in former Clarence midfielder Ethan Jackson. 

The 21-year-old is the is first interstate signing ahead of the 2022 season and arrives at the club with an exciting mix of athleticism and skill.  

After touching down in Melbourne on Sunday, Jackson joined his new teammates for the first time on Monday and said he is looking forward to testing himself at a higher level.  

“I played Tassie footy for a while and just wanted a new challenge,” he said. 

“I’ve played with some blokes that have played in the VFL and they’ve come back home and definitely been quality players, and coming here to Werribee it’s a pretty professional environment. 

“I’m coming off a fractured collarbone which I injured before (TSL) finals but it’s all good now and preseason is going to be building confidence again to go full bore.” 

With the club finding success with Tasmania recruits in the past Werribee football manager Mark Micallef hopes that can be emulated with Jackson.  

“Ethan is a strong bodied and versatile forward/mid who can take a really good mark overhead and is really good in and around the stoppages,” he said. 

“He finished high up in the Tasmanian League best and fairest award despite missing the end of the season with a shoulder injury, but we’re really excited to see how he goes in the VFL. 

“(Recruiter) Mark Stone has done a really great job identifying Ethan and we were lucky enough to beat some other VFL clubs to attain his services.  

“We’ve been able to get some really good Tasmanian talent to Werribee in the past with Ben Brown, Brody Mihocek and Matt Hanson and we hope that continues with Ethan.”