Sport
17 April, 2026
Forward mover: Wedderburn's spring goal surprise
WEDDERBURN pulled off a key signing on the eve of the Redbacks opening North Central Football League clash with reigning premiers Calder United.
The arrival of forward Matt Perri at Donaldson Park immediately filled a key piece on the Redbacks’ jigsaw plotting success in season 2026.
Coach Tom Metherell had earlier teased about a last-minute “smokey” signing in the build up the first match that saw Wedderburn grab the four points.
It was no secret that the club wanted a potent forward to replace last season’s top goalkicker Mitch Jensen. And the Redbacks found one in hugely experienced Perri, who has kicked more than 950 goals in a celebrated career, and was signed last week from Wallan.
He showed his class in booting four of the Redbacks’ 10 goals in the win against the Lions.
Is Perri the last piece of Wedderburn’s premiership puzzle?
There was disappointment with last season’s fifth placing on the ladder and a determination to see the club back in the finals and pressing for a flag.
A targeted recruiting plan followed.
Wedderburn had not adequately replaced ruckman and Feeny Medal winner Jordan Hargreaves after he transferred to North Bendigo last season.
So, for 2026 the Redbacks chased and signed South Mildura big man Tyler Curtis, a star of the Sunraysia League who also played VFL football with Coburg and Williamstown.
The club saw a gap in its key defensive stocks, so centre half-back Rory Lehmann from Port Melbourne Colts was brought on board, who just three years ago played in a SANFL premiership with Woodville West Torrens.
And then there was the need to deal with the departure of Jensen, a player with a history of short-term stays at clubs whose 61 goals in his only season at Wedderburn would be tough to replace.
That search ended with Perri.
The Redbacks coach knows the forward well, having played against him frequently when Perri was with Leitchville-Gunbower and Metherell was with North Bendigo.
“I know what we are going to get from him,” Metherell said, adding that Perri was “fairly similar” to Jensen in the way he played.
Perri booted 21 goals in one game for Wallan on his way to a century of goals in the Riddell league in 2019. His arrival at Donaldson Park adds to Wedderburn’s playing depth, which is the envy of all North Central clubs.
Metherell said 10 players who had played senior football during the pre-season practice matches turned out for the reserves last week against Calder United.
Like the senior team, the reserves knocked off the reigning premiers in round one.
With three senior players set to return in coming weeks – veteran Danny Benaim, running defender Jayden Jones and Henty recruit Angus McLean – things are looking up for the Redbacks as they chase a first flag since 2014.
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