A new look Werribee Tigers will be desperate to take their season one step further in 2013.
The Tigers fell agonisingly short of a berth in the 2012 premiership decider, denied by Geelong in a heart-breaking preliminary final.
But with so many fresh faces in the Tigers’ line-up this year, redemption isn’t on the mind of coach Scott West.
“It’s a such a high turnover players in the VFL competition that the loss hurts from a club point of view, but really it’s a new year and a whole new ball game,” West said.
While the Tigers have managed to hold on to delisted Kangaroos Ben Warren and Ben McKinley, there are plenty of new faces at Avalon Oval.
Headlining the list of incoming talent is former Sydney Swans duo Jarred Moore and Brett Meredith.
Moore, accumulated 68 AFL games in his eight-year stint at the Swans and will add plenty of grunt to the Tigers’ engine room. His leadership and ball-winning ability will go a long way in determining where West’s team finishes.
Meredith was taken by the Swans at pick number 26 in the 2007 National Draft and went on to play 16 games at the elite level.
"Brett is a really skillful midfielder and will bring a fair bit of experience to our side," West said.
Other key signatures include former Richmond and Melbourne half forward Addam Maric, and delisted Bomber Michael Ross – who joins his brother and reigning J.J. Liston medalist Ben at the Tigers.
But arguably the most prized recruit of the summer is the signing of Kris Pendlebury, the older brother of Collingwood vice-captain Scott Pendlebury.
They key defender and former captain of Collingwood’s VFL side was unlucky not to win a rookie contract with St Kilda last season after a number of year’s spent shutting down the VFL’s best forwards.
His inclusion is even more important given the departure of talented talls Cam Pederson and Kyle Hartigan.
The duo were two of Peter Jackson VFL’s most consistent performers last season but have left seeking new opportunities; Pederson traded from the Kangaroos to Melbourne, and Hartigan picked up by the Adelaide Crows in the 2012 NAB Rookie Draft.
“It’s always hard to lose guys like Cam, but that’s the nature of the business and you just have to get on with it,” West said.
“In Kyle Hartigan’s case, it’s absolutely terrific to see him get an opportunity and that’s one of things we really encourage is for guys to try and progress to the next level,” West said.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys in Ben Brown and Scott Clouston, who we’re confident will step up.”
Another Tiger to watch out for this season is highly-rated youngster Luke McDonald, the son of former North Melbourne football chief Donald McDonald.
The midfielder is all but guaranteed to be selected by the Kangaroos under the father-son rule at season’s end and will be given a chance to develop at the Kangaroos’ affiliate.
The Tigers face 2012 grand finalist Port Melbourne in the first game of VFL season. A fixture change means it will be played at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday March 30 and will be the first ABC TV game for 2013, kicking off at 1:10pm.
Werribee Tigers
Coach: Scott West
2012 Ladder position: 4th (12 wins, 6 losses)
Finals finish: Lost preliminary final to Geelong
2012 Best & Fairest: Cam Pederson
Key recruits: Jarred Moore, Brett Meredith (Sydney), Michael Ross (Essendon), Addam Maric (Richmond), Kris Pendelbury (Collingwood VFL), Ben Brown (TSL), Scott Clouston (NEAFL)
Key losses: Kyle Hartigan (Adelaide AFL), Cam Pederson (traded to Melbourne from North), Brad Mangan (delisted by North), Travis Tuck, Nathan Ablett, Leigh Harding
First match: Port Melbourne, Avalon Airport Oval, Saturday March 30
Last Modified on 26/03/2013 16:12