Tara Murray
Werribee’s leaders have signed on for next year’s Victorian Football League season.
The club announced that this year’s co-captains Tom Gribble and Dom Brew would be back for 2023.
The pair led the side for the first time this year, taking over from long-time skipper Michael Sodomaco.
Gribble had an outstanding 2022 season, winning the J.J Liston Trophy and Bruce Montgomery Trophy for the second time in his career.
He told Star Weekly after winning the club best and fairest that he wanted to help the club get better.
“I’m looking to take a more broader view of the playing list,” he said.
“I want to help others realise their full potential. I’m 28 so the growth in my game is minor, five per cent.
“I want to help others who can improve by 20 per cent and that will have a more positive outcome for the team.
“That’s the way I’m looking at it to try and help us win more games.”
Brew embarked on his sixth year with the club this year and averaged a career high 20.1 disposals per game while again finishing as one of the competition’s leading tacklers.
Football manager Mark Micallef said the pair led well together and grew in the role over the course of the season.
“Both Tom and Dom displayed strong leadership this year and we’re excited to see their continued development as leaders in 2023 and beyond,” he said.
“Tom obviously had an outstanding year on the field winning a number of individual accolades and has a strong desire to add to his football CV with team success at Werribee.
“Dom wears his heart on his sleeve with his passion close to unrivalled, he’s not only a key player on the field but the empathy he has for his teammates off it is just as big an asset.”
Werribee’s former captain Sodomaco has also recommitted for next season.
It will be his 13th season at the club, where he sits 11th on the total games played.
Micallef said it would be fantastic to have the Sodomaco’s experience for another season.
“It’s great to have Sods re-commit, to play at this level for the amount of time he has is an incredible achievement and not something you see very often,” he said.
“He’s been a wonderful servant and the Werribee Football Club is better for having him around.
“He’s still a strong contributor on-field with his play and leadership and we look forward to having him continue to drive standards with our leaders as well as helping to guide our younger players.”
