Reigning VFL premier Werribee has added another GFNL young gun to its ranks, signing South Barwon ruck Ben Kellett for the 2025 season.
On the eve of their annual pre-season camp, which returns to the Surf Coast this year, Tigers football boss Ash Collins has confirmed to K rock Football that the Warrnambool product has earned an opportunity after impressing since joining training earlier this week.
“We’ve tracked him for a little bit,” Collins said.
“We probably were going to let him have another 12, 24 months in the local comp, (but) he’s definitely got the ability to play VFL football.
We had a large amount of ruck stocks, but that’s changed in recent times.
“So, we thought we’d fast-track and reach out to him, and here we are.”
St Mary’s product Sam Conway remains the No.1 ruck choice at Avalon Airport Oval, having played a pivotal role in Werribee’s first premiership since 1993.
But with Kobe Annand (North Shore/Ocean Grove) and Oli Northam (St Joseph’s) headed for the SANFL and Darcy Bennett (ex-Lara) stepping away, an opportunity has opened up for Kellett.
He’s the third GFNL-aligned player to sign with Werribee this week after Geelong Falcons graduates Cooper Ward (St Joseph’s) and Noah Tullio (Newtown & Chilwell) earned list spots.
“His follow-up work’s my favourite bit,” Collins said. “I think he’s got great ruck craft, but it’s the way he follows that once the ball hits the deck.
“He showed some really good signs in some match simulation the other night.
“He’s always in the contest and really looking to help out and play as that extra midfielder.”
Kellett, who will link up with former South Barwon assistant coach Andrew Hodgson, will get to know his new teammates better when the Tigers hit Torquay tomorrow (Friday) night, starting with a training session at Polwarth Oval.
“And then a couple of activities in the community on the Saturday and a few game plan sessions on the Sunday morning,” Collins said.
“We’ll run stuff on the Sunday before they head home and get a well-earned rest.”
Werribee will play four practice matches ahead of Round 1, which starts on the weekend of March 22-23.
The Tigers will travel to Seaford to take on Frankston on February 21 ahead of a meeting with Northern Bullants at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium on March 1 as part of the VFL’s standalone carnival.
They’ll meet Williamstown at Deakin University on March 7 before taking on Footscray at Whitten Oval on March 15.
X: @krockfootball
