CELEBRATIONS continued all week for Werribee Tigers captain Robbie Castello, who set a new club games record of 138 on Sunday.
Club powerbrokers, past and present players and coaches, and the wider football community offered their congratulations to a little warrior who bleeds the black and gold.
The Tigers players let actions speak louder than words about what Castello means to them, winning a tough scrap over Frankston Dolphins by 33 points at Frankston Oval.
Castello, who capped the milestone game with a goal, surpassed the previous record mark set by long time friend and former skipper Dom Gleeson.
Tigers coach Scott West had no hesitation elevating Castello to the captaincy when Gleeson crossed to the Geelong Cats in the summer. “What made him stand out to me was his enthusiasm and love for the club.
“From my first day here, he set the example with his work ethic and voice on the training track,” West said.
Gleeson, who moved up the highway to take on a playing assistant role with the Cats, says he could not have relinquished his record to a better person.
He described Castello as a “champion guy and a champion player”.
“I only had the record for a few months but for Robbie to be the one to break it is great,” Gleeson said.
“We rocked up to the club on the same night and became mates and the plan was to win a premiership together.
“That didn’t happen unfortunately.
“He has won a best and fairest and he has really done the hard yards. I could not be prouder to pass the record onto him.”
Castello is just 26 and in the prime of his career.
The small forward/pinch hit midfielder from Keilor Park has plenty of time to stretch his games record and do what he set out to achieve from day one and that was to lead his beloved club to a flag.
Tigers chief executive Mark Penaluna says Castello’s impact extends beyond the boundary line. “Rob has always risen to every challenge and has helped the club wherever possible. He was our original community development manager and established wonderful relationships with schools, Auskick centres, local clubs and council.”
The Tigers made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season in defeating the Dolphins. The usual suspects – Cam Pederson, Levi Greenwood, Sam Gibson, Ben Ross and Travis Tuck – were at the forefront of the win.
The travelling Tigers had four multiple goalkickers, including Pederson, Lachie Hansen, Jack Purton-Smith and Ben McKinley.
VFL SCOREBOARD
Seniors: Frankston Dolphins 9.7 (61) lt Werribee Tigers 13.16 (94). Werribee: Goals: L. Hansen 2, C. Pedersen 2, J. Purton-Smith 2, B. McKinley 2, M. Lynch, T. Tuck, R. Tarrant, R. Castello, B. Warren. Best: C. Pedersen, L. Greenwood, S. Gibson, B. Ross, T. Tuck, A. Kennedy.
Development: Frankston Dolphins 4.3 (27) lt Werribee Tigers 24.15 (159). Werribee: Goals: J. Treloar 5, J. Sheahan 4, C. Tudor 3, D. Schibeci 3, T. Ruffles 2, N. Ablett 2, T. Ruggles, T. Battaglia, J. Bolton, K. Barbuto, J. Davis. Best: J. Bolton, J. Treloar, J. Sheahan, T. Ruggles, M. Sodomaco, L. Meleisea.
