Tara Murray
Werribee Districts have struck luck as it picked up not one, but two key signings for next year’s Western Region Football League season.
After making the division 1 grand final, along with the reserves and under-18s deciders, the Tigers were in a good position heading into next year.
But when the opportunity came to sign a couple of star players, both who live locally, coach Chris Gilham wasn’t going to say no.
Two-time Barry Priest Medallist Tim Jenkins joins the club from St Albans, while former AFL player Michael Luxford has returned to the area where he grew up.
Gilham said with a big focus on having players who live locally in the side, both fit into what they’re looking to do.
“Normally it’s hard to find players to come to Werribee as it’s the end of the line,” he said.
“To get two guys living locally helps us and sets a great example.
“Both guys are living in the area and want to play for the club. We want to develop our own and Tim is living locally and Michael lived in Werribee growing up.”
Gilham said they were unaware that Jenkins lived in the area, until it came to light through him working with a couple of players wives.
He said once that was realised they quickly came to terms.
“We’re rapt to get him on board,” he said.
“He wanted to stay in the WRFL and he lives five kilometres from our ground and we never knew that.
“He wanted to stay in division one and is a quality player and brings that experience. It was an easy one for us.”
Luxford, who grew up playing basketball before switching to football and joining Geelong and then playing in the Victorian Football League.
Gilham said Luxford had moved back to the west and was keen to play locally.
“He’s 26 or 27,” he said. “We had just five players over 25 in the team, with a lot of young kids.
“To get two really good experienced players with leadership, are great additions to the midfield.”
Gilham said they were unlikely to make many other big signings this off season, with the focus remaining on their current playing group.
He said they were keen to continue to give local players good opportunities.
“We have some good under-18s and we want to give them some good opportunities,” he said.
“The reserves made the grand too. We might have some players who live in the area that want to come back and play and we always want them.”
