Kyabram forward Anthony Depasquale is lowering the eyes at another VFL pre-season after signing on at Werribee for the 2026 campaign over the Christmas period.
The mercurial right-footer tasted senior premiership glory for the first time last year, helping the Bombers to a 29-point triumph over Rochester while splitting his duties with the Tigers.
And with eight Werribee games to his name in 2025, Depasquale only hopes to further build on that foothold in the VFL when the new season rolls around.
“I am both privileged and excited to go around again for year two. I love the club and what it stands for,” he said.
“The boys have come back hungry and driven for success, and there’s no reason we won’t be back at the top very soon.”
Depasquale caught Werribee’s eye off the back of a rampant 71-goal campaign in 2024 where he missed out on the Goulburn Valley League goal kicking prize by a single major to Seymour’s Riley Mason.
He was awarded his VFL debut off the back of a five-goal display for Kyabram, donning Tigers’ colours for the first time in a rousing triumph over Williamstown on Anzac Day.
Depasquale went on to play the next seven games for Werribee in a row before a nasty injury sidelined him for the rest of the VFL season, breaking his back.
But the medium-sized forward wasn’t done for the year.
Not by a long shot.
After missing out on a GVL flag two years prior, Depasquale rallied back from injury just in time to aid Kyabram’s finals charge and provided instant impact throughout September.
He booted two goals in the Bombers’ first final against Rochester and backed it up with three more versus Mansfield, capping it off with 15 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and a goal in the grand final.
The Kyabram man will chase more success in 2026, especially within a Werribee side undergoing a rebuilding phase.
After winning the VFL premiership in 2024, the Tigers rounded out in 16th with a 7-11 ledger as key personnel moved on and more youth were blooded.
Depasquale will face fresh opposition in 2026, too, as the VFL restructure welcomes Tasmania and St Kilda as standalone clubs among other changes.