Werribee Football Club has received a major off-field boost securing a State Government grant that will assist the club to navigate the remainder of this year’s VFL season and some of 2022.

The club has secured $130,000 in funding through the Strengthening Victoria’s AFL Development Pathways Program set up to help Victorian VFL clubs recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Werribee was one club that strongly advocated for a funding package for second tier clubs set to compete in a restructured VFL competition that now includes teams from NSW and Queensland.

The club’s CEO Mark Penaluna met regularly with Member for Werribee and Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, over a period of 12 months following the cancellation of the 2020 VFL season.

Penaluna said it was fantastic to be a successful recipient of this State Government funding.

“We are very thankful to the Victorian Government for making this money available and for granting our application successful,” he said.

“We have been fortunate to have ongoing financial support from our sponsors and members, but like all clubs we have taken a significant financial hit in the last year without any football being played in 2020.

“This money gives us the opportunity to plan with some degree of confidence for the next few months and as we move into 2022.”

Werribee and Victoria’s other six standalone VFL clubs received the maximum level of funding.  AFL-affiliated VFL clubs - Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, and Sandringham - each received $65,000.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, announced the recipients on Sunday.

“The VFL has a famous history in Victoria and provides an important bridge between local football and the AFL,” he said.  These grants will help our clubs build on their legacy and recover strongly after a coronavirus wipe-out in 2020 and further disruptions this year.”

The funding will help reimburse clubs for costs related to complying with COVIDSafe protocols and practices, as well interstate travel required as part of the new VFL competition.

Werribee will play its first interstate game on the weekend of July 24 & 25, traveling to the Gold Coast to face Southport Sharks.

Werribee has continued on the from it showed pre-lockdown, registering a fourth straight win with a 48-point triumph over Greater Western Sydney in its first match following the three-week VFL shutdown in Melbourne.

Werribee: 3.3 10.3 11.5 15.8 (98)
Great Western Sydney: 4.0 5.2 6.4 7.8 (50)

GOALS
Werribee: S. Mannagh 3, W. Buzza 3, N. Hayes 1, R. Kemp 1, D. Brew 1, H. Garoni 1, M. Hanson 1, J. Henderson 1, M. Lobbe 1, A. Lual 1, B. Malual 1
Greater Western Sydney: Z. Sproule 2, J. Riccardi 2, Z. Youlten 2, T. Bruhn 1

BEST
Werribee: M. Lobbe, M. Sodomaco, S. Mannagh, J. Maishman, T.Gribble, J. Henderson
Greater Western Sydney: A. Baker, M. Buntine, J. Peating, R. Angwin, N. Shipley, X. O’Halloran

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was almost the perfect start with Werribee opening the scoring just over a minute in when Wylie Buzza goaled from a free kick at the top of the 50. Werribee’s next goal didn’t come until the 18-minute mark via a left-footed snap from Matt Hanson which handed back the lead to the home team after GWS had registered back-to-back majors. However, the Big W’s second lead wouldn’t last long with the Giants adding two more in quick succession, one of those a second for former Werribee player Jake Riccardi. Buzza replied soon after with his second before Ryan Kemp and Nick Hayes failed to make the most of late chances.

Hayes made no mistake when the next opportunity presented, converting early in the second term and five minutes later Jack Henderson snapped truly after a superb tap from Buzza, from a boundary throw-in. While it was Buzza showing off his ruck craft on this occasion, Werribee would soon make the most of Matt Lobbe’s dominance in the centre of the ground. After Zach Sproule handed the Giants the lead again Werribee dominated the final 20 minutes of the half as Lobbe’s ruck work, combined with the efforts of Hanson and Joe Maishman in the midfield, saw Werribee nail five straight goals to go into halftime up by 31 points.

Just two goals were scored in the third quarter. Werribee struggled with its final kick going inside 50 early on in the third and when rain started to fall at Avalon Airport Oval, it made scoring tougher even with Tom Gribble and Michael Sodomaco continuing to drive the Big W forward. Werribee’s lone goal came with a minute remaining with Shaun Mannagh finding Bior Malual deep inside 50. From goal provider Mannagh would then deliver the spark the hosts needed to put the game beyond doubt. After Werribee were held scoreless for the first eight minutes of the last, Mannagh soccered through his second major and then moments later booted a third from a set shot. Ariek Lual added his first Werribee goal late in the match, while Lobbe capped off another strong display with a major of his own.

KEY PLAYERS
Tom Gribble: 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 6 marks, 4 tackles
Shaun Mannagh: 23 disposals (16 kicks), 8 marks, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 3 goals
Joe Maishman: 22 disposals, 10 handball receives, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 tackles
Michael Sodomaco: 21 disposals at 90% efficiency, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s, 3 inside 50s
Matt Lobbe: 19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 42 hit-outs, 5 tackles
Nick Hayes: 17 disposals, 8 marks (2 contested), 4 inside 50s, 4 tackles, 1 goal

NEXT MATCH
Werribee vs North Melbourne
Saturday June 26
12pm at Arden Street Oval

The Werribee Football Club is thrilled to welcome Resort Style Pools, Hoppers Crossing (formerly Aarons Outdoor and Conquest Pools) as a sponsor for 2021.

Only a recent addition to Wyndham having opened their superstore in Old Geelong Road late last year, Resort Style Pools have jumped straight in, signing as a Principal Sponsor.

Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna said it was fantastic to see another new company join the WFC family.

“We’re very pleased to have Resort Style Pools come on board and provide a significant contribution to the Werribee Football Club in their first year as a sponsor,” he said.

“Their commitment to Australian made products and offering exceptional service is what stands out amongst the crowd, and we look forward to supporting one another this year and into the future.”

Resort Style Pools director Mark Zimmer said the decision to sponsor the Big W was an easy one.

“My business partner (George McBride) and I have always been footy fans and with our new Hoppers Crossing store opening up not far from the Werribee Football Club we thought it would be a good idea to get involved,” he said.

“I have always had some small connection with WFC dating way back to 1992 when my good friend Jason Watts played at the club, and it’s great to now be sponsoring the club.”

Resort Style Pools is a one stop shop for all backyard living and outdoor entertainment areas providing everything from fibre glass pools and spas to home studios, decks, cubby houses and sheds as well as Bali Huts, African Thatches and more.

They have all their products on display at their superstore locations and can look after every aspect from permits to building and installation along with landscaping your garden.

Located: 427 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing
Open: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm
Phone: (03) 8529 7253