WRFL Division 1 2021: Werribee Districts lose key players, lock in recruits
WRFL Division 1 club Werribee Districts will roll out a youthful and new-look side this season after the departures of several stars.
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Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham has declared it a changing of the guard.
The Tigers have not missed finals since entering the Western Region Football League’s top flight in 2014 and are bullish about the young players at their disposal.
But they will be without their “best two players” in 2021, with gun big man Will Sullivan and star defender Caleb Sullivan retiring.
Cameron Lee, who has kicked 74 goals in the past two seasons, has called time on his career, while former North Melbourne-listed utility Oscar Junker also will not take the field after bagging 31 majors for the club in 2019.
Nayef Hamad (Spotswood), Judah Dundon (Camperdown), Nick Buykx (Point Cook), Rhyce Prismall (Werribee Centrals) and Josh Harris (Wyndhamvale) are other notable outs since the end of the 2019 campaign.
2020 recruit and Morrish Medal winner Lucas Rocci has also crossed to Essendon District league power Aberfeldie.
“We’ve got eight or nine blokes who have played senior VFL football not playing,” Gilham said.
“We’re not seeing that as doom and gloom at all.
“There’s some seriously good players that are departing, but we think we’ve got some seriously good youngsters who can step up and take on more of a role in the team. The guys just haven’t had those opportunities because of some more credentialed players.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids at our club, and we want to make sure we build our own. We’re just mindful of having enough opportunities for them, so our recruiting hasn’t been heavy.
“We’ve got a lot of NAB League listed kids … and there are going to be chunks of the season where they’re with us.
“We’ll be backing in our young blokes this year.”
But on the plus side, Werribee Districts have secured former North defender Daniel Neilson as an aligned player.
The 24-year-old, who is a member of Werribee’s VFL squad, made seven appearances at the top level from 2015-2018.
“He’s had a bit of a delayed pre-season, so we’re not too sure (about his availability),” Gilham said.
“When he’s fit and 100 per cent ready to go, he’s an every week VFL player no doubt. But we’re not counting on him. If he plays, he plays.
“I obviously know him from when I was coaching at Werribee and he was North Melbourne-listed. He’s moved into the area, so it made sense for his interchange club to be local.”
Ben Bowden-Tu’Uta has also arrived from Sunraysia league side Robinvale Euston.
He came through the Bendigo Pioneers and can fill a role on a wing, across half-back or half-forward.
“He’s looking really good, got a bit of X-factor,” Gilham said.
Jackson Menadue has returned after a stint at Point Cook Centrals, while star 2020 signing and ex-Essendon player Sean Gregory has recommitted.
Gilham said youngsters Harley Blake and Callan Gilboy had impressed on the training track, while Ben McMahon is super fit as he prepares to assume the mantle as the side’s No.1 ruckman.
Gilham said the Division 1 flag race was wide open after a season off.
Deer Park is shooting for an eighth consecutive premiership, but the likes of Altona, Spotswood, Hoppers Crossing and St Albans are all expected to be strong.
Caroline Springs, Point Cook and Sunshine have all made important signings, while Yarraville-Seddon has been promoted from Division 2.
“It’s really hard to know because it’s been two years,” Gilham said.
“Usually one year to the other, you sort of know who will be around the mark.
“We’ve lost seven or eight really good players, no doubt, usually it’s three or four and you replace them.
“We still think we’re going to be a contender for the finals and think if we can get in there, on our day we can beat anyone. But there are a lot of unknowns this season with everyone.
“If our young kids can step up, and we’re confident they will, we’ll still be a very competitive team … finals footy is always what we strive for.”
The Tigers will host St Albans in Round 1 on April 10.
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