The Werribee Tigers had a rollercoaster year in 2008, early rounds sitting at n the bottom of the ladder and in the end falling just short of a Grand Final appearance.. The club’s youth policy remained strong with the signing of many new, local players over the summer.
Keen to promote local footballer’s development, the club signed several Jets players for the 2009 season and beyond. Steve Kennedy was one of those players. "My local club’s Altona I went to the Jets at under 16s, and came through the system there. This is my first VFL pre-season,"
Kennedy played primarily as a midfielder but did drift forward on occassions.
"I just decided to come down here (Werribee) because I knew a lot more people and the coaches were really good as well."
. It was between Werribee and Williamstown, because they’re the two teams who come after the Jets players."
Having played both basketball and tennis before deciding on footy as a career path, Kennedy hopes for a good start but he’s realistic.
"I’d like to crack the seniors if I play well enough, maybe get picked if I’m very lucky."
Darren Haby is another player who has come from the Western Jets. Having started with Melton as a junior, he played three years with the Jets before being picked up by the Tigers for the 2009 season.
The bonus of being able to play with friends was a strong reason why Haby is happy to play with the club. "I’ve got a few mates down here, and so far I’m really enjoying it.
"Hopefully I can keep training well during the pre-season, get a few games under my belt, and play a seniors game or two. I am really enjoying it down here."
Coming over from Williamstown in 2009 is Nathan Black, another local boy. His experience at the Seagulls was a learning one, but he had a few setbacks.
"I spent most of the year in the reserves, I had a few injury problems and that. I’ve torn my hamstring about three times. It got better towards the end of the year. Werribee’s closer to home and I probably should have come here in the first place."
Now feeling fitter and more at home, he hopes he can enjoy a more fruitful year in 2009. "The main thing is just to get the body right, play round one, whether that’s in the one’s or two’s. Everyone aims to play one’s, and we’ll just see what happens."