Werribee has added more Victorian Football League experience to its list with its first two signings for next season.
After announcing a number of re-signings of 18 players, the Tigers announced the signings of Jedd Longmire and Rye Penny who both join from Collingwood’s VFL side.
Longmire joins the club with 16 games VFL experience across the last two seasons.
He joined the Pies in 2023 from the Murray Bushrangers where he averaged 21 disposals and five clearances per game
He kicked off his VFL career in style, booting six goals in his first three games, and finished his debut season with nine games, including a finals appearance.
At local level he made 13 appearances last season to go with his seven games at VFL level, and was named in the best nine times.
Football manager Ash Collins said Longmire is a tough, inside midfielder who works tirelessly from contest to contest.
“At a young age, he already brings leadership and experience to the club from his time in a VFL program.”
Rye Penny arrives at the club holding VFL experience from his two seasons with Collingwood, having played across both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
The 20-year-old is a NAB League graduate from the Calder Cannons, where he averaged 13 disposals and five marks per game in 2022.
A standout for his high-flying ability as a medium-sized defender, the former volleyballer made a notable impression at the draft combine by matching the all-time standing vertical jump record. His performance earned him an invitation to train with Collingwood’s list ahead of the 2023 season, leading to a spot on their VFL team.
The defender played six VFL games across the past two seasons with the Pies, sharing time with his local club Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Football League.
While sharing the field at Collingwood the past two seasons, the pair were also teammates in the 2023 Young Guns series, a team selected by AFL recruiters featuring players eligible for that year’s mid-season draft.
Longmire, whose leadership was showcased by his inclusion in the Collingwood leadership group, was named captain of the side.
Collins said Penny comes to the club bringing a real point of difference to our defence.
“His aerial prowess is outstanding, as demonstrated in his draft year when he matched the all-time record for the standing vertical jump at the combine.”
