GVGjr
26-11-2008, 07:41 AM
Worth a read
Seagulls’ tough break (http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/67131)
By Tim Doutré
25th November 2008 11:06:22 AM
Hardwork … Williamstown’s Liam Picken has been training with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to get rookie listed. 21567 Picture: RAY POLLANEN
IT MAY only be November but football enthusiasts are already looking to 2009 with AFL Victoria announcing the latest Victorian Football League fixture recently.
The Williamstown Seagulls who finished third on the ladder in 2008 look to be in store for a tough 2009, playing four top five sides twice.
Seagulls coach Brad Gotch noted some surprise departures from the 2008 squad but was upbeat about the coming season.
“We ended up losing 15 to 20 (players), which is a big turnover for us, because of that we have to go out and get some new guys,” he said.
“When I first interviewed them after the season, I thought we might lose 10 or 12 but to lose between 15 and 20 it’s another five to eight which we didn’t bank on.”
Gotch also noted that many of the 2008 Western Jets graduates had gone to VFL rival Werribee putting a dint in the Seagulls recruiting prospects.
“Twenty out of our 44 last year were Western Jets kids. Werribee got a fair slice of them this year… we thought we were going to get a few of those but didn’t which was a little bit disappointing.”
Among those to fly from the Seagulls nest are Kane McKenzie (Maribyrnong Park), Jackson Barling, Murray Boyd, Nathan Lyons (South Adelaide), Steven Greene (Old Melbournians) and James Beaumont.
“Kane has been playing senior footy. He played 18 out of a potential 22 this year so to lose someone like that is disappointing,” Gotch said.
“To lose a few more guys than we were going to, gives opportunity to others but it is just a shame to lose them because they are all good quality fellows.
“We are probably going to try and drum up another 10 players, so if anyone is keen and reckon they can play VFL footy tell them to give us a ring.”
Another shock departure was that of former North Melbourne player Callum Urch.
The Seagull who played eight games with the Roos only recently told the club that he would be leaving to play in a local league.
The club has, however, signed more than 20 players from last season, keeping a strong foundation that should hold them in good stead in 2009.
“We have still kept some of the heartbeat there with the likes of (Brett) Johnson, (Pat) Rose, (David) Stretton and (Scott) Meyer, so we still have got a good core group there to build around. Hopefully they are hungry after missing out again this year.”
It has not been all departures out at Burbank Oval with some recruits set to make an impact in the yellow and blue.
Former Collingwood and North Melbourne midfielder Ben Davies will headline the list.
Originating from the Western Jets, 23-year-old Davies has 13 AFL games under his belt and will bolster the Seagulls on-ball brigade.
Williamstown and Werribee along with Box Hill have staggered starts to the season thanks to a bye in round one of the competition but an Anzac round clash between the Tigers and the Seagulls will surely be worth the wait.
“We have the bye first round which is a bit of a shame. When you look at the Western Bulldogs they’ll play three games before we have even played one… but it’s not a bad draw after that.”
Another coup for the Seagulls is the development of Liam Picken who has been training with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to be rookie listed.
“He is a good chance at least to get a rookie opportunity. Rocket (Rodney Eade) saw him during the year. They know he won the equal best and fairest with Johno (Brett Johnson), they watched him and he’s training really well at the minute.”
Seagulls’ tough break (http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/67131)
By Tim Doutré
25th November 2008 11:06:22 AM
Hardwork … Williamstown’s Liam Picken has been training with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to get rookie listed. 21567 Picture: RAY POLLANEN
IT MAY only be November but football enthusiasts are already looking to 2009 with AFL Victoria announcing the latest Victorian Football League fixture recently.
The Williamstown Seagulls who finished third on the ladder in 2008 look to be in store for a tough 2009, playing four top five sides twice.
Seagulls coach Brad Gotch noted some surprise departures from the 2008 squad but was upbeat about the coming season.
“We ended up losing 15 to 20 (players), which is a big turnover for us, because of that we have to go out and get some new guys,” he said.
“When I first interviewed them after the season, I thought we might lose 10 or 12 but to lose between 15 and 20 it’s another five to eight which we didn’t bank on.”
Gotch also noted that many of the 2008 Western Jets graduates had gone to VFL rival Werribee putting a dint in the Seagulls recruiting prospects.
“Twenty out of our 44 last year were Western Jets kids. Werribee got a fair slice of them this year… we thought we were going to get a few of those but didn’t which was a little bit disappointing.”
Among those to fly from the Seagulls nest are Kane McKenzie (Maribyrnong Park), Jackson Barling, Murray Boyd, Nathan Lyons (South Adelaide), Steven Greene (Old Melbournians) and James Beaumont.
“Kane has been playing senior footy. He played 18 out of a potential 22 this year so to lose someone like that is disappointing,” Gotch said.
“To lose a few more guys than we were going to, gives opportunity to others but it is just a shame to lose them because they are all good quality fellows.
“We are probably going to try and drum up another 10 players, so if anyone is keen and reckon they can play VFL footy tell them to give us a ring.”
Another shock departure was that of former North Melbourne player Callum Urch.
The Seagull who played eight games with the Roos only recently told the club that he would be leaving to play in a local league.
The club has, however, signed more than 20 players from last season, keeping a strong foundation that should hold them in good stead in 2009.
“We have still kept some of the heartbeat there with the likes of (Brett) Johnson, (Pat) Rose, (David) Stretton and (Scott) Meyer, so we still have got a good core group there to build around. Hopefully they are hungry after missing out again this year.”
It has not been all departures out at Burbank Oval with some recruits set to make an impact in the yellow and blue.
Former Collingwood and North Melbourne midfielder Ben Davies will headline the list.
Originating from the Western Jets, 23-year-old Davies has 13 AFL games under his belt and will bolster the Seagulls on-ball brigade.
Williamstown and Werribee along with Box Hill have staggered starts to the season thanks to a bye in round one of the competition but an Anzac round clash between the Tigers and the Seagulls will surely be worth the wait.
“We have the bye first round which is a bit of a shame. When you look at the Western Bulldogs they’ll play three games before we have even played one… but it’s not a bad draw after that.”
Another coup for the Seagulls is the development of Liam Picken who has been training with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to be rookie listed.
“He is a good chance at least to get a rookie opportunity. Rocket (Rodney Eade) saw him during the year. They know he won the equal best and fairest with Johno (Brett Johnson), they watched him and he’s training really well at the minute.”