The re-signings continue for Werribee with another four premiership players locked in for next season.
Jay Dahlhaus and Jack Riding are back on board after both enjoying career-best VFL campaigns by featuring in 19 and 20 games, respectively.
Dahlhaus overcame injury and concussion setbacks that limited him to just one game for Werribee in 2023 while also playing five matches for his local side, Sebastopol.
He made an immediate impact in round one this year, kicking two goals and collecting a career-high 19 disposals.
Establishing himself as a mainstay in the forward line, Dahlhaus maintained consistent form with only one goalless game until a shoulder injury sidelined him in round 14.
The small forward returned with a four goal haul against the Northern Bullants, and played a key role for the remainder of the season including being named in the best with two second half goals in the grand final.
Dahlhaus ended the season with 33 goals and averaged four marks and three tackles amongst his 11 disposals a game.
Riding made a huge leap in his second season, increasing his game tally from four last year to 20 and earning Werribee’s most improved player award.
He played round one and was in the team until he was set to be dropped for round four but received a late reprieve.
Riding returned in the forward line, and after standout performances in rounds five and six Riding cemented his spot across half-forward. leading the VFL in both goal and score-assists at the midpoint of the season.
Riding, who had kicked three goals to three quarter time, then injured his shoulder in round 18 which saw him miss until round 21, but returned to play a pivotal role in Werribee’s premiership winning finals run.
Alongside the club’s most improved award, Riding finished in the top ten of the club best-and-fairest and was selected in the VFL team of the year 40 man squad after he averaged 19 disposals and five marks per game, and ranked top ten in the competition for goal assists, score assists and score involvements during his breakout year.
Sam Azzi and Aidan Johnson, who both had breakout seasons this year, have also re-signed.
Both players, products of the Ovens and Murray Football League, broke into the team this year after overcoming injury setbacks last season, to play important roles in the premiership-winning campaign.
Johnson entered the 2024 season with only one game to his name before playing all but one game this season through injury.
His breakout season concluded in a seventh-place finish in the best and fairest count and a premiership medal.
Azzi, after joining the club in 2023 came into this season with three Werribee games next to his name.
He wrapped up the 2024campaign with a career-best tally of 10 games, where he averaged 8.4 disposals at a highly efficient 90 per cent and seven spoils per game.
