Dear Williamstown Football Club (WFC) members and extended community,
As our VFL team heads to Essendon to fight it out in an Elimination Final, and with our VFLW team just one win away from securing the 2026 minor premiership, there is a lot to be proud of.
2026 has been another great year on and off the ground. The WFC men and women continue to shine in the AFL, cementing WFC as an AFL talent pathway.
Mid-season draftees Joel Fitzgerald and Hugo Hall-Kahan are both regular starters at Melbourne and Adelaide respectively, with Oscar McDonald recently re-signed by 2026 minor premiers, Fremantle. In the VFLW, 2023 draftee Ruby Tripodi is a two-time premiership player at North Melbourne, looking for a third in 2026.
Looking ahead to 2027, the Club recently announced the re-signing of the VFL and VFLW captains and other key players across both playing groups. And to continue to support and steer our football programs’ success, Ben Jolley and Ed Carr will join current WFC board members Troy West and Cam Lockwood to assist the Football Sub-Committee.
The success of our football programs is underpinned by on-going investment in facilities for our Club, and the Williamstown community, at DSV Stadium.
On top of the $2.2M upgrade to change rooms and coaching facilities completed in 2025, we’re delighted our partner Mobil has committed to increasing their investment in our Club to complete the ‘Mobil Recovery Room’ with upgraded facilities including a new sauna for our football programs.
Our financial future is in good shape. An extension to the Newport Social lease to 2052 was secured this year and a $1.2M upgrade is underway, ensuring its on-going competitiveness and success, and a sustainable source of revenue. Along with our Future Fund, improved profitability of the Seaview Function Centre, and record-breaking levels of commercial sponsorships in 2026, this means WFC is well positioned to continue to thrive.
The Board and I would like to personally thank our team members, players, coaches, volunteers, members, partners and supporters for the contribution you make to our great Club. We’d also like to again thank Justin Plapp for his commitment to Williamstown over the last six seasons, and the great contribution he’s made to our Club on and off the field.
We are a great Club with a proud history and bright future. Here’s to wins for our men and women this weekend – and a top of the table finish in the VFLW.
Go Towners!
Merryl Dooley
President, Williamstown Football Club
