Jay Dahlhaus and Jack Riding are the latest re-signings for Werribee for next year’s Victorian Football League season.
Dahlhaus and Riding both enjoyed career-best VFL campaigns by featuring in 19 and 20 games, respectively.
Dahlhaus overcame injury and concussion setbacks that limited him to just one game for Werribee in 2023 while also playing five matches for his local side, Sebastopol.
He made an immediate impact in round one this year, kicking two goals and collecting a career-high 19 disposals.
Establishing himself as a mainstay in the forward line, Dahlhaus maintained consistent form with only one goalless game until a shoulder injury sidelined him in round 14.
The small forward returned with a four goal haul against the Northern Bullants, and played a key role for the remainder of the season including being named in the best with two second half goals in the grand final.
Dahlhaus ended the season with 33 goals and averaged four marks and three tackles amongst his 11 disposals a game.
Riding made a huge leap in his second season, increasing his game tally from four last year to 20 and earning Werribee’s most improved player award.
He played round one and was in the team until he was set to be dropped for round four but received a late reprieve.
Riding returned in the forward line, and after standout performances in rounds five and six Riding cemented his spot across half-forward. leading the VFL in both goal and score-assists at the midpoint of the season.
Riding, who had kicked three goals to three quarter time, then injured his shoulder in round 18 which saw him miss until round 21, but returned to play a pivotal role in Werribee’s premiership winning finals run.
Alongside the club’s most improved award, Riding finished in the top ten of the club best-and-fairest and was selected in the VFL team of the year 40 man squad after he averaged 19 disposals and five marks per game, and ranked top ten in the competition for goal assists, score assists and score involvements during his breakout year.
