Werribee had its first taste of footy 2021 style in a practice match against Frankston on the weekend. 

Blowing out the cobwebs.  

Senior coach Mick Barlow with his thoughts on the first hit out for 2021, a practice match against Frankston on the weekend:

“After over a year it was terrific to have a squad of Werribee listed and Werribee hopefuls don the Big W again. In challenging conditions the players’ effort was of a high level and the high number of mistakes and skill errors can be attributed to competitive rust. 

Frankston was cleaner and more organised for the duration of the game. They kicked away in the last 15 minutes to take a comfortable win. There were some great takeaways for us in terms of clear focus areas we will work on - our composure under pressure and the ability to absorb match-like intensity and pressure.

Some better performers included Jesse Clark, who played predominately on Frankston’s Begley. Jesse has an ability to play tall and small and is incredibly clean under pressure. Ryan Kemp showed glimpses that made him a 2019 regular. Lucas Rocci staked his claim for a senior VFL debut as a lockdown defender. Hudson Garoni came into the game in the 2nd half in challenging conditions for key forwards.”  

Werribee will play another practice game this Saturday against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval from 2pm.

After a tough financial year Werribee welcomes news from the State Government regarding possible grants. 

The goal posts on the ground at Avalon Airport Oval haven’t moved but they have certainly moved off field as the Werribee Football Club prepares to enter the newly expanded VFL competition for 2021. A competition, like all in football, that now faces new protocols due to the effects of Covid 19 and increased costs to field a team in the interstate competition.

CEO Mark Penaluna has held many discussions in the last twelve months with local state member Tim Pallas (also the state Treasurer) on the financial impact the new protocols and the new competition will have on non-AFL aligned clubs like Werribee

The club strongly advocated for funding for second tier clubs and Mark was pleased to see the announcement last week.       

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, announced the Strengthening Victoria’s AFL Development Pathways Funding Program which was part of the Victorian Budget for 2020/21.

“Like all clubs we have taken a significant financial hit in the last year and this grant, should we be successful with our application, gives us the opportunity to plan with some degree of confidence for the coming season. We still need the ongoing financial support of our members and sponsors who have been so loyal in the last twelve months. The importance of football to the people in our community will never have a monetary value but the cost to the community if clubs like ours go under is something no one wants to contemplate”.    

The club held the Annual General Meeting for members last week in Chirnsides by the River @ Avalon Airport Oval. 

The Werribee Football Club farewelled the 2020 year with the Annual General Meeting in its function venue Chirnsides by the River on Wednesday February 24th.

President Martin Carter reflected on a unique year in the club’s history. The anticipation of the 2020 football season was soon replaced with the realities of dealing with a global pandemic and the effect on the community, the club and the people.

The impact was immediate, with no football but still with a business to run and livelihoods dependent on the viability of the club.

Carter praised the sacrifices made by staff across every area of the club. From the players’ offer to play for nothing to staff working on reduced pay but still maintaining the usual level of commitment and professionalism. The flexibility and resilience of the board and the staff was acknowledged by the President and the Board, who also were glowing in their praise of the loyalty shown by sponsors and members in sticking with the club during a NO football season. Ballan Holden is no longer an entity but the support of the Ballan Family will continue as major sponsors as they relaunch into a new post Holden era.  

The financial ramifications will be felt for some time, with the club recording a loss of $1.58 million. This is foreign territory as the club has worked diligently to eradicate debt and build its sustainability over a number of years. The pandemic blindsided nations, multi-national corporations and the richest people on the planet. So, it’s no surprise it has had its effect on the Werribee Football Club.

The club has a new senior coach, with Michael Barlow replacing Mark Williams, who has rejoined the AFL as a development manager with the Melbourne Football Club.

Simone Bellears has joined the board and Mark Micallef is the new Football Manager, replacing Stu Balloch.

The club has survived the greatest challenge handed to it in its history and enters a new, expanded 2021 competition confident in the knowledge it has a strong board, dedicated staff, a committed football department, staunch commercial partners and true blue members and supporters.      

New Football Manager appointed: Welcome Mark Micallef. 

The Werribee Football Club is pleased to announce that Mark Micallef is joining the club in the role of Football Manager.

CEO Mark Penaluna welcomed Mark to Avalon Airport Oval: “We had an outstanding field of candidates to replace Stu Balloch and we are really happy that someone of Mark’s experience and quality was available. Hamish MacInnes has done a terrific job in the short term and he will continue to be involved in the footy department as well as his ongoing and very important role as our Community Development Manager.”

Mark Micallef has a long history in AFL football including being list manager at the Fremantle Football Club and recruiting roles with Adelaide, Essendon and Gold Coast. Mark is also an accredited player agent and has certificates in fitness.   

So keen is Micallef, he is starting work immediately: “I am super excited to be joining the Werribee Football Club. I am extremely grateful to be part of such a successful and strong club that has all the pillars in place to achieve sustained success. Werribee’s strong affiliation with the community and our promising playing list made this role extremely appealing. I am really looking forward to forging strong relationships with all involved at the club.”