Two former Werribee District junior players are among the first new signings for Werribee for next year’s Victorian Football League season, with the club also adding a former AFL player among its first four signings.
Josh Kellett is making the switch from the Footscray Bulldogs to the Tigers for next season.
The 24-year-old half-back brings 53 games of VFL experience to Werribee after five seasons with Footscray.
This year he played 14 games, averaging 15 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency, while taking five marks per game.
His standout performances included 17 touches and two goals against Werribee in a thriller, and a strong preliminary final display against Box Hill with 20 disposals for the third time in four matches, seven marks and the Dogs’ first goal of the game.
Kellett is a local, having played all his junior football with the Werribee Districts. He has made 146 appearances for the Districts, including three this season and nine in 2024, including the Western Football League division 1 grand final
Kellett has a family connection to the club, with his father Nigel Kellett rounding off his football career at Werribee in the late 1990s.
Josh becomes the club’s third current father-son, joining Jaelen Pavlidis and Jake Smith.
A Western Jets graduate, Kellett played 20 games across 2018 and 2019 with several current Werribee players, including Mace Cousins, Daly Andrews, Spencer Johnson and Emerson Jeka.
Jordan Busuttil, who played his junior football with Werribee Districts as well, crosses to the Tigers from Essendon’s VFL program.
Busuttil played 12 games in his first year at state league level for Essendon’s VFL program.
Werribee football manager Kyle Hartigan is excited about what Busuttil can bring to the club.
“It’s great to have another Werribee person walk through the doors after Josh Kellett’s signing earlier in the week,” he said. “Jordan will be a great addition, giving us another mature body who can play both inside and outside in the midfield mix. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do for us next year.”
Former North Melbourne player Charlie Lazzaro brings some more experience to the line up.
The 23-year-old midfielder brings 39 games of AFL experience to the club and becomes the most AFL-experienced player on Werribee’s list. He is also the third player with AFL experience on the current list, joining Emerson Jeka and Cooper Whyte.
He crosses from Port Melbourne where he played all 18 games this year.
The 2025 season was his first at Port Melbourne after four years in the AFL with North Melbourne.
Lazzaro’s Port Melbourne teammate Ajang Kuol Mun also join the Tigers.
The 206 centimetre ruck arrives at the perfect time following the recent retirement of Werribee’s premiership big man, Sam Conway.
Hartigan welcomed the addition of one of the best ruck prospects in the VFL.
“We’re really excited to bring AJ into the team,” he said.
“He’s an exciting prospect who showed his talent at the level, holding the number one ruck spot at Port Melbourne in every game across the season.”
