Tara Murray
New Werribee Football Club co-captains Tom Gribble and Dom Brew might be chalk and cheese, but it’s hoped they will make the perfect combination.
The two good mates were last week announced as co-captains to follow in the footsteps of Michael Sodomaco who stood down after seven years as captain.
“It is a bit overwhelming and a bit of a shock,” said Gribble.
“We found out on Monday night before training. We were told that it was possibly going to be happening and then it had to go through the board.
“I fitted what they were looking for along with Brewy.”
Gribble, who has been vice-captain the last couple of years, said he had approached the pre-season a bit differently this year.
Having not had the season he wanted in 2021, he was focused on stepping up personally and for his teammates.
“I’ve changed my approach,” he said.
“With Sods stepping down there was a bit of a hole, even thought he is still at the club.
“There’s a leadership void that needed to be fielding. It did cross my mind [captaincy].
“I wanted to have that better attitude to improve my game and the guys around me.”
Brew, who joined the club when he was 19, said the club felt like home. He said leadership was something he had thought about in recent times.
“It’s exciting to accept the role after Sods,” he said.
“The last few years I’ve stopped up as a leader at the club and getting the coaches and players vote is more overwhelming.
“It’s super special, I’ve been down here since I was 19. Coming from Albury, most players are a one club player.
“You normally play your juniors and then follow through to seniors. Most of my senior football has been here.”
Gribble and Brew, who lived together for five months last year, both admit they are different players and people.
They think they compliment each other.
“Brewy is strong in other areas and leadership to me,” Gribble said. “It’s an honour to share it with him.
“Leadership is not perfect, but we’re aligned with what we want for the club.”
Brew added,” he is one of my best mates at the footy club, we’re chalk and cheese,” he said.
“We’re a bit different but work well together. Tom is better in some areas I think there’s some areas I’m better than him
“We work together really well.”
Brew said the club was in a good spot and he things the team will go alright this season. He’s hoping they can play interrupted after the last couple of years.
Gribble said the club wants to be a finals contender.
“We had a point to prove,” he said. “We din’t have the year we wanted last year.
“We haven’t really achieved anything. We have a committed mindset with what is require to get better and learn to stick with it.
“We’ll take each week as it comes.”
Nick Coughlan has been appointed vice-captain, while Matt Hanson, Jack Henderson and Shaun Mannagh round out the leadership group.
