Williamstown News

From Leader Newspapers
Reported by Paul Amy
Full article Click here

WILLIAMSTOWN believes in Liam Picken and is prepared to put up money that he will make it as an AFL player.

Liam Picken moves to break a tackle in Wiliamstown's Preliminary Final clash with Port Melbourne in 2008.  Photo: Jason Edwards

The Seagulls have confirmed they gave $20,000 to their VFL partner the Western Bulldogs to help pay for the cost of having him on their rookie list.

“We think it’s a very good investment in Liam and for our alignment with the Bulldogs,” Willy general manager Brendan Curry said.

“It will be money well spent. We’ve got enormous faith in him. He’s ready to step up.”

Liam is the son of former Collingwood champion Billy and shared Willy’s best and fairest last year. He was also selected in the VFL team of the year.

Williamstown conjures great escape

Photo: Getty Images

From The Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond

Full article Click here

DESPITE producing its best performance of the season against a team rated one of the competitions best, Frankston was denied a preliminary final berth against Port Melbourne as ex-Kangaroo Callum Urch lifted Williamstown to a one-point victory 13.14 (92) to 12.19 (91). "That was definitely the great escape," Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said.

The match proved to be one of the hardest fought contests of the finals series so far, with Frankston making its intentions known early.

Making use of a strong breeze and running the ball beautifully from its back line through Toby Conroy and Luke Collins, Frankston looked certain to test the more favoured Williamstown side right to the wire.

Unable to find a tall marking target in the forward line, the Seagulls looked lethargic against Frankston's running back line.

Seagulls fired up for Frankston

From The Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie

Full article Click here

THREE weeks ago, Williamstown had the top spot on the VFL ladder seemingly sewn up with an impressive percentage after a consistent year of football. But now in the second week of the VFL finals series, Williamstown finds itself in a knockout semi-final against an ever-dangerous Frankston, a position that coach Brad Gotch never expected to find himself in.

"Last week's loss (to North Ballarat) was disappointing, but it was the loss to Werribee in round 20 that has really cost us," Gotch said.

In the final match of the regular season, the Seagulls played host to Werribee in a game they were expected to win. Despite their excellent record at home, they stumbled at the final hurdle and fell from top spot to third after an 11-point defeat. The loss forced Williamstown to head to North Ballarat for a qualifying final.

"At half-time I thought we were a big chance. We had a slender lead, but in the end we didn't quite make the most of our chances on the scoreboard," he said.

Pages