Lukas Webb: Former Western Bulldogs utility Wangaratta Rovers bound

Former Bulldog Lukas Webb is returning to country footy after a double injury blow ended his AFL career.

Wangaratta Rovers star recruit Lukas Webb believes two major injury setbacks he suffered playing for the Western Bulldogs are a distant memory.

Webb was initially told by a surgeon he wouldn’t play again after badly injuring his neck in a VFL match in 2018 before recovering and being struck down with a serious lower leg injury the following year.

He was delisted at the end of 2019, but a full season playing in Queensland last year has him primed for his first year in the Ovens and Murray alongside two mates from Gippsland, Ben Timms and Mackenzie Bristow.

Webb said he had no reservations about his neck injury.

“It was initially pretty scary,” he said.

“I was told I wouldn’t play footy again, but it feels stronger now.

“I am very confident about going out and playing footy again.”

Lukas Webb in action for the Bulldogs against the West Coast Eagles. Picture: Michael Klein

He played with former Western Bulldogs teammate Billy Gowers at Southport last year, but the chance to take a stake in a second Melbourne pub, the Mona Castle Hotel, prompted a return to Victoria.

Southport coach Steve Daniel and Wangaratta Rovers coach Daryn Cresswell are mates and triggered Webb’s move to the O and M.

The Rovers, who are in their longest flag drought, were on track to play finals last year before Covid brought a premature halt to the season.

Webb, who played 24 senior matches for the Western Bulldogs, said he had noticed an influx of top end talent into the O and M this year.

“The amount of players, who probably two or three years ago would have filtered in to VFL from the AFL, have gone to the O and M and other country leagues,” he said.

“It’s going to be a tough competition.”