Seagulls flying after season's first quarter

[Dale61]

http://www.leadernews.com.au/article/2008/05/01/34309_vfl_story.html

WILLIAMSTOWN goes into the VFL's first mini-break on a high after snapping the unbeaten run of the North Ballarat Roosters at Burbank Oval last Sunday.

Rebounding from a loss to Geelong, the Seagulls' 17-point win allowed them to join the Roosters on top of the ladder after five rounds.

There were many eye-catching performances, particularly from Western Bulldogs-list players Guy O'Keefe, Farren Ray, Wayde Skipper, Peter Street, Stephen Tiller and Callan Ward, not to mention tall defender Tom Williams, who came through his first game of the season after overcoming a series of quad injuries.

Williamstown-listed players in rover David Stretton (32 touches), full forward Dean Galea (three goals including three third quarter posters), Jason Cloke (22 disposals and eight marks on a wing) were also major contributors to the 17.21 (123) to 15.16 (106) scoreline.

Williamstown general manager Brendan Curry said Williams had played about 50 per cent of the game on the wing and across the half-back line and had 13 touches.

"Tom did his quad twice in the pre-season," he said. "He played a reserves practice game about six weeks ago and then did his quad at training the following week."

O'Keefe, 18, the Bulldogs' final pick in the 2007 NAB AFL draft from Geelong Falcons via Geelong Grammar, booted three goals from 29 possessions working across the half-forward line and through the midfield.

Ray, 22, playing his second game with the Seagulls following a cracked fibula in the pre-season NAB Cup game in February, had 27 disposals working across the midfield. North Ballarat's Marc Greig was reported for charging Ray in the final quarter.

Skipper booted three goals working in tandem with ruck colleague Peter Street.

"Skipper was very good up forward and rucked with Peter Street," Curry said.

"Wayde is getting better each week. He didn't play in the pre-season practice games.

"Our two big guys were very formidable and played well against North Ballarat's top big man Orren Stephenson."

Tiller, who broke into the Western Bulldogs side via Werribee last season in his third AFL year, provided dash from the half-back line.

"It was Stephen's best game and he provided a lot of rebound," Curry said.

Ward racked up 18 possessions and kicked three opportunistic goals to further enhance his potential.

Curry said coach Brad Gotch reflected on an important victory against one of the benchmarks in the competition.

"It was a high quality game and our coach believed we never were never in complete control," Curry said. "To win in those circumstances was really good because we know we are playing blokes are underdone. It's a bit of a juggling act at the moment. We were pretty happy to do that and get away with a win."

Curry said missed chances in front of goal could have proved costly.

"We kicked 3.9 in the third quarter including Dean Galea's three posters," he said.

"We had 14 set shots for goal from inside the 50 for the match and kicked 7.7.

"We should have converted better than that. That wasn't good enough and it will be something we will be working on.

Curry said to be 4-1 after the first five rounds of the seasons was a good reflection on how well the Western Bulldogs alignment was working.

"We believe it is a very good first quarter of the season," he said.

The Williamstown administrative chief said the Seagulls still have a lot of improvement left in their locker.

"We are going to get better with more match fitness, he said. "The players are still getting to know each other with the new alignment.

There was further good news in the reserves with former Hawthorn and Box Hill Hawks player Matthew Little continuing his good form with seven goals in a 28-point win over North Ballarat following a shoulder injury.

Little booted six in the previous week's reserves game against the Northern Bullants.

"Mattie is certainly pushing himself up for senior selection, Curry said.

There was a scare for the Seagulls in the reserves match when 19-year-old Bulldogs recruit Paul 0'Shea was taken to hospital after crashing heavily in a marking contest. He was cleared of injury.