Werribee Football Club enjoyed another strong presence at last night’s VFL Awards Night, where reigning Bruce Montgomery Medalist Dom Brew earned a third consecutive Team of the Year selection and President Martin Carter was recognised with VFL Life Membership.

Brew and Carter were both acknowledged on stage at Marvel Stadium, capping off a memorable evening for the club.

Just two days after claiming his third straight Bruce Montgomery Trophy as Werribee’s best-and-fairest, Brew added another honour by securing a third successive appearance in the VFL Team of the Year.

In a season where he moved into Werribee’s top ten for games played, Brew continued to build on an extraordinary run from 2023 to 2025, a period in which he has not missed a single match. The inside midfielder averaged career-highs of 28.9 disposals and 10.1 clearances per game, leading the competition in clearances while also topping the league for contested possessions and tackles.

He also equalled his career-best goal tally since 2019, highlighted by two clutch majors deep into the final quarter against Port Melbourne that helped secure Werribee’s Round 10 victory.

At the awards night, Brew also presented the 2025 winner, Southport’s Jordan Dawson, with the J.J. Liston Trophy, while finishing third in the count himself. He polled in 11 of his 18 games and finished 12 votes clear of his nearest Werribee teammate.

For the second year running, key forward Hudson Garoni was next best with nine votes, followed by midfielders Jack Riding (seven) and Daly Andrews (six). Ruckman Sam Conway (three), Harry Grintell (two), and Jay Dahlhaus, Bior Malual and Flynn Young (all one) also featured on the tally.

The night was equally significant for Carter, who was awarded VFL Life Membership in recognition for his ‘special service to the VFL or to football in general’

Carter began his journey with Werribee joining the club’s committee in 1992 and was part of the board during the club’s historic first VFA/VFL premiership in 1993.

He remained involved on the board across multiple periods, including serving as vice president in 2008 and 2009.

In 2015, following the sudden passing of John Nicol, Martin stepped in, in an acting capacity, until he was officially appointed President at the 2016 AGM. Martin’s presidency has been a period of stability and growth, including the club’s transition from an AFL-aligned model with North Melbourne to a fully standalone VFL team since 2018.

The pinnacle of Martin’s time as President came in 2024 when Werribee secured its second VFL premiership. An achievement reflecting the efforts of every level of the club and celebrated when Martin and CEO Mark Penaluna unfurled the flag at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval to open the 2025 season.

Martin’s VFL Life Membership caps off a year of personal recognition, following his induction into Werribee’s Hall of Fame earlier in the year.

Martin 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, as well CEO Mark Penaluna and two-time J.J. Liston winner Tom Gribble who have received the honour in recent years.

Reflecting on the honour, Carter said it was all about the bigger picture:; “It’s about the community, it’s about how we drive each other, it’s about how we care for each other. They’re our values. Werribee, from top down to bottom up, are all the same. We’re in this to develop people, to develop them to be better people, as well as our players.”

As Werribee continues to celebrate its 60th year, two club greats have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Long-serving timekeeper Scott Bishop and joint Number 1 Ticket Holder and former player Merv Hughes join the seven inductees honoured earlier in the year.

Scott and Merv were inducted at the Bruce Montgomery Trophy presentation night, with CEO Mark Penaluna presenting Bishop’s honour early in the evening, while former President Greg Welsh later welcomed Hughes into the Hall of Fame.

Scott Bishop

A familiar face around Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval for more than two decades, Scott Bishop has been the club’s timekeeper since 2003, overseeing more than 700 games and travelling interstate with the team on every occasion.

Scott’s contribution saw him presented with the Ray Smith Best Club Person Award in 2012 and later earning league-wide acclaim in 2022 with the Alex Gillon Award as the VFL Volunteer of the Year.

Before stepping into the timekeeper’s role, he spent several seasons volunteering in a range of administrative capacities at the club. His commitment to the game has extended beyond Werribee too, generously offering his services free of charge to other VFL clubs throughout his time in football.

Speaking on Bishop’s induction and unwavering work at the football club, CEO Mark Penaluna said “Having worked alongside Scott since 2003, I clearly understand the significance, loyalty, and trustworthiness that he brings to the timekeeper role.”

Penaluna added, “Anyone in football understands the importance of the timekeeper position, and very, very, very few put their hands up to take on that onerous responsibility.”

On Saturday night as well as the Hall of Fame induction, it was announced that the Timekeepers Box at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval is being named in his honour, a fitting tribute to his outstanding service.

Merv Hughes

Best known for his feats on the cricket field, former Australian Test fast bowler Merv Hughes has been Werribee’s Number 1 Ticket Holder since 1992, but his connection to the club runs much deeper.

Before his international cricketing career took off, Hughes pulled on the Werribee jumper between 1978 and 1984, playing 95 games as a key position player. He is officially Werribee Player #214.

Merv was also part of Werribee’s 1978 Lightning Premiership side, the club’s first piece of silverware, when it defeated Sandringham in the Grand Final at Junction Oval. Werribee was the only Division 2 club to win the competition during its eight-year existence.

Merv is still often seen supporting the team on game day, and last season, in 2024 he presented Louis Pinnuck with the number nine guernsey, his old number, ahead of Pinnuck’s 100th game.

As part of Merv Hughes’ Hall of Fame honour, former Werribee President Greg ‘Turtle’ Welsh shared the following reflection:

“Merv Hughes is clearly the most famous of all those who have played football for Werribee. His cricket talent and big personality have endeared him to millions of people around the world.”

“However, it is his contribution to this football club and community for which he is rightly recognised with his elevation to the Werribee Football Club Hall of Fame.”

“Merv started playing at Werribee as a teenager. A strong mark and booming kick, he played 95 quality games. Merv was invited to try out for Geelong, but by then he had decided cricket was his game.”

“Merv became a colossus on the world cricket stage, but he never forgot Werribee or the footy club. He has made himself available on many occasions, spoken at luncheons and events, and brought many special guests to the club, including the late Shane Warne and Dean Jones. Merv has been our number one ticket holder and ambassador for the club for more than 30 years now. He is proud to say he is a “Werribee boy.” We are proud to say that Merv Hughes is in our Hall of Fame.”

Dom Brew capped off another dominant season by securing the 2025 Bruce Montgomery Trophy as Werribee’s best and fairest player.

In a year where the midfield star broke into the club’s top ten for games played, Brew further etched his name into Werribee history, becoming just the third player to claim the award three years in a row, joining Travis Robertson and close friend Matt Hanson.

The count was tight early before Brew surged to the lead in Round 13 and never surrendered it, finishing with a 40-vote margin, the largest since Jarred Moore’s runaway victory in 2013.

Behind him, the race for the minor placings was as close as ever. Veterans Bior Malual and Hudson Garoni achieved career-best finishes as joint runners-up on 158 votes. Premiership midfielders Jake Smith and Jack Riding were right on their heels, sharing fourth with 157 votes, while in his first year as captain, Jesse Clark finished only two votes further back in sixth with 155.

After a J.J. Liston Trophy in 2024, Brew’s 2025 season saw him increase his career-best averages in disposals (28.9) and clearances (10.1), while also averaging 17.2 contested possessions and 9.5 tackles.

Best and Fairest voting is completed by senior coach Jimmy Allan and assistants Kyle Hartigan, Jarrod Young and Andrew Hodgson who award 0-4 votes to every player at the end of each game.

Hudson Garoni was also called to the stage to receive his fourth consecutive Leading Goalkicker Award, presented by forwards coach Andrew Hodgson. His 43 goals in 2025 placed him inside the top five of the ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal for the third straight year and lifted his career tally to 187 since debuting in 2019.

The Ray Smith Award for Best Club Person was also presented on the night. Named in honour of the late Werribee legend Ray Smith, who served in numerous roles including the club’s inaugural secretary from 1965 to 1975, this year’s award went to Operations Coordinator Dean Lee. Lee took on an expanded workload as the club searched for a new Football Manager at the beginning of 2025 and continued to support the football department even after relocating to the Northern Territory for work commitments.

Last year’s Ray Smith Award winner, Jimmy Masterson, was on stage to present the first award of the evening, the Property Award, which went to Jaelen Pavlidis. Tylar Watts received the Community Development Award, presented by Community Manager Majok ‘Shaggy’ Ngong.

First-year defender Luke Preece enjoyed a memorable night, collecting the Local Player Award for his brilliant season with Drysdale in the Bellarine Football League, a campaign that earned him an upgrade to the playing list and a VFL debut. He also received the Trainers Award, presented by head trainer Sam Borg.

Fellow first-year player Ryan Eyers also claimed two honours, taking out the Best First Year Player Award and the Trademark Award. Although an injury ended his season in Round 12, the key defender was leading the best and fairest count at the time after an outstanding first 11 games.

Another first-year recruit, Mace Cousins, who joined Eyers in making the move from Geelong’s VFL side, claimed the Best Defensive Player Award. Jake Smith, whose year was highlighted by a fourth-placed finish in the Bruce Montgomery Trophy count, received the Coaches Award from Jimmy Allan after a season in which he battled injury yet still managed to play every game.

Ruckman Sam Conway collected the Most Improved Player Award after taking his game to another level in 2025, leading the entire competition in hitouts.

Meanwhile, two long-serving greats of the football club were inducted into the Hall of Fame: past player and Number 1 Ticket Holder Merv Hughes, and long serving timekeeper Scott Bishop. It was also announced the Timekeepers Room at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval is being named in Scott’s honour.

Another recognition for the club came on the night, with the team from the VFL Rewind Radio Program presenting Werribee with the Best Canteen Award, a great acknowledgement for Chirnsides by the River staff for their hard work.

Bruce Montgomery Trophy Top 10:

1. Dom Brew (198 votes)
= 2. Hudson Garoni (158)
= 2. Bior Malual (158)
= 4. Jack Riding (157)
= 4. Jake Smith (157)
6. Jesse Clark (155)
7. Harry Grintell (146)
8. Louis Pinnuck (142)
9. Sam Conway (140)
10. Ryan Eyers (129)

2025 Award Winners:
Property Award: Jaelen Pavlidis
Trainers Award: Luke Preece
Community Award: Tylar Watts
Best 1st Year Player: Ryan Eyers
Leading Goalkicker: Hudson Garoni
Local Player of the Year: Luke Preece
Coaches Award: Jake Smith
Most Improved Player: Sam Conway
Defensive Player: Mace Cousins
Trademark Player: Ryan Eyers
Ray Smith Best Club Person: Dean Lee
Life Membership (100 games): Bior Malual
Hall of Fame: Scott Bishop and Merv Hughes

Werribee looks set to continue its prominent presence on VFL Awards night with three players selected in the Team of the Year squad.

Standout seasons saw Dom Brew, Bior Malual and Jack Riding all named and in contention to claim team of the year honours at VFL Awards Night.

The 40 players in contention were named on the Wednesday following week two of the Smithy’s VFL finals series.

Of the three nominees, two are chasing their first Team of the Year honours, while Dom Brew is eyeing a third consecutive selection.

Fresh from an incredible 2024 season where he swept almost every individual accolade, including the J.J. Liston Trophy, Brew has found another gear in 2025 with his numbers climbing even higher.

The inside midfielder averaged career highs of 28.9 disposals and 10.1 clearances per game, leading the competition in clearances as well as topping the VFL for contested possessions and tackles.

Brew also equalled his career best goals in a season, highlighted by a clutch double in time-on of the final quarter against Port Melbourne that willed Werribee to its Round 10 victory over the Borough.

Brew’s consistency was just as impressive, lining up in every game for the third consecutive season and standing as the only Werribee player to do so across 2023, 2024 and 2025.

At 29, the oldest player on Werribee’s list, Bior Malual delivered a career-best campaign in his seventh VFL season.

He set the tone in Round 1 as the Totally Workwear Player of the Match and went on to claim that honour four times across the year, the most of any player. Malual averaged 16.3 disposals per game, including a season-high 29 in Werribee’s final outing against the Bullants, and a career-high 6.3 marks per game.

After a facial injury in Round 16 almost derailed his milestone, he returned to bring up his 100th game at home against Southport. The achievement means Werribee life membership and capped off a season in which he has been selected in the Team of the Year squad for the first time.

The 2025 season also saw Malual create history as the first South Sudanese player to reach 100 VFL games for a single club, and just the second South Sudanese player overall to play 100 VFL games, joining fellow club-person Majak Daw, who brought up his century with Casey while listed at Melbourne.

Jack Riding rounds out Werribee’s Team of the Year nominees. Limited to only four games in his 2023 debut season, he announced himself with a breakout campaign in 2024 that earned him a spot in the 40-man squad, and he has been recognised again in 2025.

After playing across half forward in Werribee's premiership year in 2024, key midfield departures, including that of stalwart Jack Henderson to the AFL, opened the door for Riding to step into a greater midfield role in 2025. He embraced the opportunity, averaging a career-high 24 disposals per game, the second most at Werribee behind Dom Brew, along with five tackles and five clearances per outing.

Riding’s explosiveness around stoppages was a feature, ranking top five in the competition for inside 50s.

He finished the year in superb form, collecting 32 disposals or more in four of his last seven games, including equal career-high 36-possession efforts against both Williamstown and the Northern Bullants, to stake his claim for Team of the Year honours.

The final team of 24 players will be named on Monday, September 15, at the 2025 VFL and VFLW Awards.