Werribee has signed another western suburbs local as it aims to strength its squad for next year’s Victorian Football League season.
Massimo Raso switches the yellow and black sash for the Big W, arriving from Richmond after an outstanding first season at VFL level in 2025.
The 19-year-old won Richmond’s VFL leading goalkicking award with 26 majors as a small forward, showcasing his crumbing ability and producing several goal of the year contenders from the pocket.
His goalkicking form also saw him named a finalist for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, awarded to the VFL’s most promising young talent.
Raso finished his maiden campaign averaging 12.6 disposals from 20 games, along with more than three tackles per outing.
He made his presence known early with a season-high 24 disposals against Sandringham in round two, before backing it up with consecutive three-goal performances against Brisbane and Frankston that pushed him into mid-season draft conversations.
He was also influential in Richmond’s wildcard final win over GWS, collecting 19 disposals and kicking a goal.
Raso joined Richmond out of the Western Jets program and, in his first season in the Coates Talent League, averaged over 19 disposals as a midfielder to finish second in their best-and-fairest behind current Werribee midfielder Jake Smith.
Raso played most of his junior football with Keilor have signed his career with Burnside Heights and Deer Park.
He played two games for Deer Park in the Essendon District Football League premier division this year,
Lachie Charleson has signed with the Tigers two-year stint with Port Adelaide in the AFL.
The small forward’s name was called in the 2023 draft, with the Power selecting him at pick 52.
Charleson joins as a 20-year-old with 31 games of state league experience for Port Adelaide’s South Australian National Football League side, the Magpies.
He kicked 28 goals in the SANFL across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including an average of 1.3 goals per game from his 16 matches this year.
“Lachie will be a great addition to our list for next season,” said Werribee football manager Kyle Hartigan.
“He is a flashy forward who showed he can find the goals from anywhere in the SANFL, and he adds to our growing group of small forwards. A list need we have addressed after Zac Banch and Flynn Young were taken in the mid-season draft and Angus Hicks retired.
“It is always a boost bringing in players straight out of the AFL, and Lachie has already made an impact out on the track during his first week here at the club.”
Sam Donegan is the third signing announced by the Tigers in the past week.
The 22-year-old is a 175cm forward who can also push into the midfield and arrives with 25 games of VFL experience, including 13 in 2025.
He joins the club from the Northern Bullants having previously played with Geelong’s VFL side.
