CLUB STALWARTS REACH 400 GAMES
By Evan Tudor
It’s been a historic start to the 2026 Western Football Netball League season, with two of the league’s longest serving players recently joining the exclusive 400-game club.
It was Corey Muscat and Tyler Tessari who both reached the significant milestone in the opening month of the season, with the pair doing so in the same club colours that they’ve worn for their entire careers.
Corey Muscat – Hoppers Crossing
Hoppers Crossing’s Corey Muscat etched his name into the record books for the Warriors in their 21-point victory over Sunshine back in round two.
One of the navy blue and white’s strongest midfielders, Muscat marked game 400 in style by kicking his first goal of his 2026 campaign to be surrounded by his teammates in celebration.
Muscat has had a senior career to remember, with various honours highlighting his time in the topflight of the WFNL.
With a 2024 premiership medal to boast, the popular Warrior also finished third in the club’s best and fairest count that same year after winning it in 2021. In addition to the medals around his neck, Muscat has also featured in the WFNL Team of the Year previously.
Speaking on the WFNL Show a few weeks ago, Muscat shared some of his favourite memories from his many years at Hoppers Crossing.
“There have been some fond memories. The best memory would be the 2024 premiership,” he said.
When Muscat suited up in Warriors’ colours for the 400th time in round two, he joined two of his past teammates in the 400 club.
“I’m obviously the third person at the club [to reach 400 games] as well. So, I get to join Jake Martin and Matthew Ryan, so that’s the good memory.
“I played in some of their 400 games as well, so, we’re after another premiership I think.”
With a lifetime of football experience at Hogans Road Reserve behind him and with Hoppers Crossing starting the season 3-2, will 2026 be the year that Corey Muscat gets another premiership medallion around his neck in addition to game 400?
Tyler Tessari – Wyndhamvale
The WFNL welcomed its latest addition to the 400-club in Round 4 as Wyndhamvale’s Tyler Tessari ran out for his Division 2 club against Laverton in front of a strong home crowd.
After ending season 2025 with a second premiership, Tessari would have to wait 231 days to reach the exclusive milestone after concluding last year with 399 games to his name.
But it was a record worth waiting for as Tessari’s Falcons soared to a 173-point win over the Magpies in one of the biggest games of his career.
Tessari made the most of the occasion and kicked four goals to be named best-on-ground and joins Jayden Wood and James Pomella as Wyndhamvale’s 400-gamers.
As the only Falcon to have played in the club’s 2015 and 2025 senior premierships, and the only to win three club best and fairest medals, Tessari has written a CV that positions him as one of the greatest from Wyndhamvale to play the game.
In addition to an impressive trophy cabinet, Tessari also featured several WFNL Teams of the Year.
Speaking ahead of his milestone match, Tessari was very reflective on his longstanding career with high hopes to keep going.
“Seeing the club up in division one was good. Having a crack and having been through that was a good experience,” he said.
“I’ve played with a lot of good blokes and made some lifelong friends.”
Amongst his teammates are two of his younger brothers, Jack and James, who all featured in the 2025 premiership side alongside Tyler.
“I won last year with both my brothers which was good.” Tyler said.
With Jack winning the best-on-ground medal in the big dance, it was all praise from Tyler.
“I couldn’t have asked for it to be much better,” he said.
And after 400 games, Tyler Tessari isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, with a determination to keep going.
“I don’t want to give it up,” he said. I’ll keep playing until I can’t play anymore.”
After joining the 400-game club and continuing to shine on Wyndhamvale South Reserve, it’ll be exciting to see how far this club champion can help take the Falcons in 2026.
