By Tara Murray
Werribee recruit Jedd Longmire didn’t have to look far to seek feedback as he contemplated a move to the Tigers for 2025.
Having been with Collingwood’s Victorian Football League side the past two seasons, Longmire decided he wanted to seek more opportunities.
Werribee was one of those clubs interested.
“My housemate Raymond Murphy was on Werribee’s list last year,” he said. “He lived with me last year.
“He told me what they were about and he really enjoyed his time there. He didn’t get a good run of it with injuries
“He told me what the environment was like and they were so successful.”
A country boy from Corowa Rutherglen, Longmire said the club’s big contingent of country boys was another thing which attracted him to the club.
He said the group was really close along with the guys from Geelong.
“Jay Dahlhaus is one that I am close to, Flynn Young is another,” he said. “Those guys are really welcoming.
“They get it and it’s a good program down here and they get what it takes.
“Ryan Eyers, who has joined the club, is also from back home in Corowa.”
Longmire played 16 games for Collingwood in two seasons as a tough inside midfielder
He played 13 local games last season along with seven VFL games. He was named in the Ovens and Murray representative team.
“It was more about getting opportunity,” he said. “When I first got into the VFL I had to consider whether to go to an aligned club or unaligned club.
“I loved my time at Collingwood and I wouldn’t change my time there. There was competition to compete against the AFL guys, it’s really hard to own a role or position.
“It won’t be easy at Werribee though.”
While Longmire has joined an unaligned club, he joins a side that is coming off a premiership.
He said he knows he has to work hard for a spot come round one.
“The irony is a I moved across to have more opportunity, but it’s won’t be an easy time to be picked in the side or squad,” he said.
“I’ve been impressed by the class of Louis Pinnuck and Jack Henderson. I want to improve and how I can be part of the team.”
Longmire said he won’t say no to an opportunity to play AFL, but knows that it gets harder the older you are.
He said for him though was to have a good year with Werribee and see where his football takes him.
“I’m more worried about getting a game first.”
The pre-season is starting to heat up for the Tigers. Longmire said he was keen to get into the match stimulation and pre-season camp before matches get underway.
“It gives you more motivation.”
