Williamstown News

Reported by Luke D'Anello
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RELIEF was the buzzword sweeping Burbank Oval on Sunday after Williamstown recorded its first win as a stand-alone outfit since 1999.

After a tight opening, the Seagulls controlled western rival Footscray, claiming an emphatic 41-point victory, 15.8 (98) to 7.15 (57).

It was also the club’s first success under new coach Andrew Collins, following on from tight losses against reigning premier Box Hill Hawks and Northern Blues in the opening two rounds.

Collins conceded the Dogs’ foot skills were superior, but Williamstown erased that disadvantage with “constant pressure”.

Scott Clouston (four goals) and Anthony Anastasio (three) formed a potent combination in the forward 50m arc, while Adam Marcon was a standout in midfield.

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From the Hobson Bay Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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ANDREW Collins has gone to school on Williamstown’s decorated history since being appointed to the top job last October.

“It has had some of arguably the most significant figures in the history of Victorian footy,” the Hawthorn premiership player said of his new club.

“When you’re talking about JJ Liston, Des Fothergill … right through to the recruitment of Ron Todd in the 1940s to the success of the ‘50s. I’ve learned a lot about the history that I didn’t realise.”

The Seagulls will have to defy recent history to land a finals berth in their first season as a VFL stand-alone outfit after splitting from the Western Bulldogs.

From the Hobson Bay Weekly
Reported by Daniel Paproth
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New Williamstown coach Andy Collins wants the Seagulls to be known as the best Australian Rules football club outside of the AFL, as the Gulls prepare to go stand-alone in the Victorian Football League in 2014.

Collins signed on for two years on Saturday morning, and was officially announced to replace former coach Peter German at the club’s best-and-fairest that same evening. Current assistant coach Adam Potter will be his second-in-charge.

Collins has spent the past six years as coach of South Australian National Football League club West Adelaide, taking the Bloods from four consecutive wooden spoons to a grand final appearance in 2012 and a preliminary final this season.

He resigned from his post at West Adelaide in August, coaching out the remainder of the season before looking for new opportunities.

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From the Maribyrnong and Hobson Bay Weekly
Reported by Daniel Paproth
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Preparations are well under way for a massive 2014 at Williamstown Football Club.

The Seagulls will field a stand-alone team in the Victorian Football League next year for the first time since 1999 after parting ways with its AFL affiliate of the past six years, the Western Bulldogs.

The club is on the hunt for a new senior coach to take it into a new era after the board informed Peter German he would not be reappointed.

German, who spent the past four years in the duel roles of Williamstown senior coach and Western Bulldogs development coach, is contracted to the Bulldogs for 2014.

According to Williamstown chief executive Brendan Curry, the Seagulls are looking for “someone who can do the whole gamut of the role, not just football”.

“The coach is the leader of the club,” he said. “Peter has done a very good job for us, the record is there – three prelim finals, a grand final and victory in the inaugural Foxtel Cup. Everyone thanks Peter for his contribution.”

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From Hobsons Bay Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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THE script would have described Sunday's VFL local derby between Williamstown and Werribee as a battle of two premiership contenders and one likely to be decided in the final minutes.

Instead it was a one-sided rout from early in the match as the Seagulls underlined their credentials, while the Tigers were left to clear the considerable wreckage.

Williamstown's 83-point win was its 10th in succession against its great rival and it was an awe-inspiring display.

The signs were ominous for the Tigers after just 120 seconds when Patrick Veszpremi nailed the first major of the match.

From news.com.au
Reported by Sam Landsberger
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IT'S finally official: Brent Prismall will use the Western Bulldogs' VFL affiliate as a platform to try to relaunch his AFL career.

The delisted Essendon midfielder visited Williamstown headquarters today to finalise his playing contract for 2013 and is set to start pre-season training in January. Prismall, 26, trained at three clubs in the lead-up to the pre-season and rookie drafts but was overlooked by the Bombers, Dogs and Port Adelaide.

Last week he signed at the Dogs as their full-time player-welfare, a role vacated by Brett Goodes after he beat Prismall to the final place on Brendan McCartney’s list.

“He still sees himself as someone who can get picked up in the future, so it was important for him to come into a good environment,” Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon told SuperFooty today.

From the Hobson Weekly
Reported by Lance Jenkinson
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WILLIAMSTOWN Seagulls have swooped on delisted Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood.

The Seagulls had a vacancy in their big man stocks following the departure of mobile tall James Wall and this acquisition will go some way to filling the need.

Wood played 64 AFL games at the Brisbane Lions (16) and Collingwood (48) after being selected with pick 18 in the 2004 national draft.

Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon said his club's top preseason aim was to recruit a quality big man.

''I think it was obvious that we lacked a ruckman and left ourselves a bit short last year,'' he said.

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Michael Warner
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THE Western Bulldogs could spring a pre-season draft surprise by snaring VFL journeyman Brett Goodes on Tuesday.

Goodes, 28, has played in two VFL premierships with North Ballarat and is the brother of Sydney Swans superstar Adam Goodes.

He is also the player welfare manager at Whitten Oval, setting up an intriguing selection dilemma for Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney.

Discarded Essendon midfielder Brent Prismall was considered a certainty to be taken by the Bulldogs after knocking back an offer from Port Adelaide.

But the Dogs yesterday confirmed Goodes, a hard-running defender, remained an option and was locked in a race with Prismall, 26, for a fairytale shot at the AFL.