By Tara Murray
Werribee recruit Jake Lohmann isn’t afraid to take a chance as he chases his AFL dream.
The small forward moved to Brisbane last year to play with the Brisbane Lions’ Victorian Football League, having previously played 26 games for the Sandringham Zebras.
While he enjoyed the experience in Brisbane and he got to play with his brother, Lohmann wanted more opportunities.
“I’m a bit of a risk taker and took the risk to go to Brisbane,” he said. “With the alignment with the Brisbane Lions, I didn’t get much opportunity to play week in, week out.
“Werribee came asking to sign with them for 2025. From afar, I’d how successful Werribee has been in the last few years in particular.
“I knew Joel Cadman and Jack Riding… They have that community culture which I love and it was a big drawing card in getting me to sign.”
Lohmann said he got so much out of his time at Brisbane with the AFL and VFL teams spending a lot of time together
The VFL team made the preliminary final last year, before being beaten by Werribee, while the AFL side won the premiership.
“It was a big drawing card,” he said. “Being in a better environment makes you a better player and pushes those behaviours of a successful team.
“It helps on your journey and it makes you a better footballer.”
Lohmann said the opportunity to play with his brother Kai Lohmann while at the Lions was one of his highlights.
His brother went on to be one of the stars in the Lions’ AFL premiership run.
“It was pretty special,” he said. “I’d played a couple of games with him at Lake Wendouree in his draft year.
“We lifted the cup together in under-14s at Maryborough when Kai played up. I knew then he was going to be a pretty good player. Mum was president at the club and dad ran water, it wasn’t just the two of us.”
Lohmann, who grew up in Victoria, said his girlfriend, who he had done long distance with last year, and his family were happy to have him back home.
He joked that he was hoping his tan would hold up in the colder weather.
Lohmann said his dream of still being drafted was driving his football going forward.
He knows it won’t be easy as he tries to break into a premiership team.
“It’s going to be a big challenge coming in,” he said. “If you want to be the best you have to compete with the best.
“Jimmy [Allan]and Ash [Collins] have been transparent. I want to play that small-medium forward. There’s Zac Banch, Flynn Young, Jack Riding already.
“It’s exciting to be part of it. I’m looking to play round one and the last game of the year as well.”
Lohmann said training had been a bit of fresh air and he was really enjoying himself.
He said pre-season was starting to heat up.
“The boys,staff and coaches have been so welcoming,” he said. “I’m an extravert and they’ve allowed me to be myself right from the start.
“They looked after us before Christmas, but they have started to crack the whips post Christmas.
“We’re starting to get to 30 kilometres a week. I’ve been put into the main group after Christmas after having a small hamstring pre-Christmas.
“I’m learning to play with the with the group and how we want to play. I’m ready to get to work.”
