Tara Murray
Werribee’s next generation are leading the charge as the club aims for its first Victorian Football League premiership since 1993 with defender Jesse Clark among those leading the charge.
After losing a big chunk of last season’s grand final side, including some of the club’s best ever players, the Tigers have been able to rebuild on the run.
The club claimed their first minor premiership since 2005 and will play two home finals in run to a possible grand final.
Clark, who was part of the grand final team last year, said it was exciting to have the opportunity to go deep into finals again.
He said last year’s experiences had put the club in good stead.
“There’s a really good vibe around the group at the moment and the boys are just really keen to have another crack at it this year,” he said. “I feel that finals footy always brings that sense of motivation and creates that buzz.
“But I think it feels a little bit different to last year as I feel we’re better for the experience this time round.
“For a lot of us last year, they were our first senior footy finals. It was the case for me. I feel this year we go into finals a little bit more experienced and that awareness that it is just another game.
“Very exciting times. “
While many people thought the Tigers might drop off with the departure of some key members of the group, Clark said he felt like could back up last year.
He said it had been spoken about a lot in the off season that some club legends had departed and a high turnover in the coaching department.
“It was quite unknown what it looked like heading into this season,” he said. “I think the club did a really good job of transitioning Jimmy Allan into his role as coach as well as some other assistants.
“The recruits we picked up have had great impact. Everyone has been really flexible and adaptable in terms of the culture that we’ve had across the past few years.
“For me it wasn’t a surprise that we’ve had another good season. I think the core group of players who have been there for a while, Dom Brew, Nick Coughlan, Louis Pinnuck and Jack Henderson have set us up really well.”
“I’m definitely proud of what the boys have achieved to this point.”
For Clark this season, he has been able to build on what he did last year.
Until the start of 2023, he had played just 13 games due to Covid and injury. Last season he became a mainstay in the side.
“Last season I was pretty happy to be back out playing in a final season and play in a finals series,” he said. “Honestly it was awesome given the season prior that I ruptured my ACL and had a knee reconstruction.
“For me last year was just about you being happy to be out there and playing with my mates.
“Losing that grand final did make me really hungry. This year I’ve been a bit more focused on developing my role and trying to have a little bit more impact.
“Also being part of the leadership group, I’ve looked to other leaders to try and develop my skills.”
Clark said stepping up into the leadership group this season was really exciting and he was humbled to get that role.
He said the leaders that were already at the club had taught him so much and it’s been a great opportunity to learn as much as possible.
Clark has had to use that leadership this season especially in the back part of the season as injuries have hit the backline.
He said it was a next man up mentality.
“Definitely been a bit of carnage across the back half of the year, for the whole group, especially the backline group,” he said. “We seem to have copped a few injuries.
“I think the boys that have come in to fill the injured spots, have had really good impact. Sam Azzi has come in as a key defender played his role and executed really well.
“Been a couple of others have had to come into the back line and play a role that they’re not used to.
“The way we’ve been able to stand up the last month or two has been really important allowing us to win the minor premiership.”
Werribee will face Geelong in a qualifying final on Saturday at 12pm at Avalon Airport Oval.
For Clark, who is from Geelong, there’s always a little bit of extra motivation against the side from his hometown.
Clark said it was exciting to be playing in front of the home crowd at Avalon Airport Oval.
“Similar to last year we’ve got the guaranteed two home finals, it s really good,” he said.
“We feel like we play well whereever we are, but it’s nice having that extra comfort of being at home and having the Werribee faithful there, They are always huge in terms of giving us that extra support and encouragement.”
