There are teams of the century, teams of the decades etc at footy clubs and there is always some conjecture based on how old you are and what eras you were present at.

I thought I’d list my best team of players that I observed, not speculated on at Werribee FC.

In the club’s 66th year it’s near on impossible to pick a side with so many great players having passed through Chirnside Park but I will give it a crack from what I observed as a player and supporter.

What I will endeavour to do is put the challenge out to some past players, coaches, officials and fans to get a full consensus from across the decades.

Observed is important. For instance I can’t include James Podsiadly or Mick Barlow because I was working interstate and missed about nine years of the club. You would think they would be shoe-ins but I’m sure they’ll turn up in another team.

So here goes. From the backline:

 T. Churchill.              L. Fitzpatrick.        T. Robertson (vc)

 M. Sodomoco            F. Lesiputty            J. Watts

 M. Cullen                    M. Hanson               T. Gribble

 S. Mannagh                D. McDonald (c)    M. Frost

 S. Sells.                        J. Aziz.                       S. Smith

 Followers:

 D. Allday

  S. Faulkner

 D. Brew

Interchange: M. McMaster, J Puli, R. MacPherson, R. Raeburn

Apologies to N. Walsh, D. Normington, R. Geary. N. Saunders, A. Eames, G. Chapman

Coaches: Head Coach- L Harris, Backline- J. Allen, Midfield- M. Barlow, Forwards- P. Satterley

The players:

  1. T. Churchill – 108 games, Captain, Twice VFL Team of The Year. Super quick and highly skilled. ‘Churchy’ would fit seamlessly into the modern AFL game.
  2. L. Fitzpatrick – Captain, B&F, former Footscray and Geelong defender was probably the best full back in the VFA over three years or so.
  3. T. Robertson – 135 games, 3 x times B&F, inspirational Captain and VFL Captain. Hard running defender.
  4. M. Sodomoco – Longest serving Captain over 10+ years through a very difficult and unsettled period. Quick, smart and versatile leader.
  5. F. Lesiputty – Much loved and tough defender. 72 games and 1993 Premiership player.
  6. J. Watts – Clever half back, B&F in the 1993 Premiership side and was subsequently drafted to the Western Bulldogs.
  7. M. Cullen – Former Footscray wingmen and 1993 Premiership player. Fast and creative.
  8. M. Hanson – 102 games and 4 x B&F. I’m still flummoxed as to how he didn’t get picked up by an AFL club.
  9. T. Gribble – 141 games and 2 x JJ Liston Trophies and 2 x B&F’s. Not sure about having two left footers on the wings especially when neither of them had a right foot. 🙂 A fine endurance athlete, this is another mystery as to why Tom didn’t get picked up by any AFL club also.
  10. S. Mannaugh – I’m sure Shaun’s Grandad Joe is looking down proud as punch. What a revelation he has been at Geelong since being drafted after the 2023 VFL Grand Final.
  11. D. McDonald – 1993 Premiership player and Coach. For all his clowning around, Donald was a fierce competitor and always led by example.
  12. M. Frost – Former St Kilda and Footscray player and JJ Liston Medal Winner, 2 x times B&F and Captain. One of the most explosive players I have seen at the club.
  13. S. Sells – B&F, Field Medallist and former Subiaco Premiership player ‘Sellsy’ is best described as mercurial. A VFL Representative and one of the most popular players at the club.
  14. J. Aziz – Captain, 2 x Frosty Miller Medallist, 1993 premiership Player. A cult figure during his time at Williamstown and Werribee, Joskun was a full forward that you didn’t want to upset. A gentle man on and off the field but could look after himself if required.
  15. S. Smith – Only the one season at WFC but managed to win the B&F and take some of the most insane marks ever witnessed, which led to him being drafted to Melbourne.
  16. D. Allday – the quiet, humble champion ruckmen who took out a B&F and a Norn Goss Medal in the 1993 Premiership. A tireless worker.
  17. S. Faulkner – 100 x games, B&F, Captain, VFL Rep, 3 x times VFL Team of The Year and one of the toughest on ballers we ever had at the club. Part of the succession of Geelong players who became stars at WFC.
  18. D. Brew – 3 x time B&F, VFL Captain, JJ Liston Medallist and Premiership Captain. Nothing more needs to be said about this warrior from Albury. Should have been drafted 5 or 6 years ago.
  19. M. McMaster – B&F, 1993 Premiership Player and superb on baller. He has one of those bony frames that can really hurt you in a contest and he dished it out regularly.
  20. J. Puli – 104 games, VFL Team of the Year, VFL Rep. James was a great ruckman and could be damaging when pushed forward.
  21. R. MacPherson – Personally ‘Rocket’ was the best player I played with. Former Footscray and Brisbane player he was hard and very smart. I thought he was our best in the 1991 Grand Final and was a member of the 1993 Premiership side.
  22. R. Raeburn – 88 games, VFA Rep, 1993 Premiership player. ‘The mechanical device’ as we knew him simply needed to be wound up and let go. A dangerous forward and rover.