Match Reports

[Dale61]

I've been a little slack in posting match reports, but we're still settling in to a new house, and there are other priorities.

Now that we are closing in on the opening round of the 2009 VFL season, I'll post the practice match reports thus far.

v Coburg 14/3

Williamstown played Coburg Tigers in a Practice Match at Whitten Oval on Saturday 14th March in wet conditions. Coburg eventually won the game by 20 points after an inaccurate Williamstown kicked 1 goal 9 behinds in a wasteful third quarter.

Williamstown did not select regular senior players including Captain Brett Johnson, Jason Cloke and Scott Meyer. First year Western Bulldog draftees Ayce Cordy, Jordan Roughead and Jamason Daniels played.

Roughead in particular played very impressively in the ruck with his spring and aggression. 2nd year players Sam Reid, Guy O'Keefe, Jarrad Grant, Easton Wood, Jarrad Boumann, Henry White and John Shaw all showed at times that they are capable of stepping up in 2009. Injury plagued Malcolm Lynch and Brennan Stack showed the benefit of a strong pre-season whilst Cameron Wight, Wayde Skipper and Liam Picken were solid contributors.

Williamstown listed players Patrick Rose, Cameron Lockwood, Matthew Little and David Stretton had their first hit out for the season whilst Ben Jolley and Ben Davies indicated that they will be key players again in 2009. Youngsters Luke Cartelli and Mitchell Keddell again showed that they are capable of playing VFL Senior Football.

Williamstown: 6.2.38 ~ 8.6.54 ~ 9.15.69 ~ 14.16.100
Coburg: 4.1.25 ~ 9.1.55 ~ 12.4.76 ~ 19.6.120

Goalkickers - Williamstown

O'Keefe 3, Grant 2, Rose 1, Lockwood 1, Little 1, Cartelli 1, Skipper 1, Stack 1, Lynch 1, White 1, Cordy 1

v Sandringham 21/3

Williamstown played Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval in hot and blustery conditions on Saturday. With the start of the AFL season only one week away the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda both received permission to play 12 of their players with their aligned VFL partner.

There was keen interest in key St Kilda trio including Matt Maguire, Adam Schneider and Raphael Clarke whilst the Bulldogs key defender Tom Williams played for the Seagulls.

Williamstown Captain Brett Johnson playing in his first game of the season lost the toss and Sandringham had first use of a strong breeze.

Willi received great supply from Wayde Skipper who dominated in the ruck and around the ground against young St Kilda Rookie ruckman Blake McGrath. Chris Egan in his first game was extremely efficient in the back half and his use of the ball in the windy conditions was terrific.

Full back Jarrad Boumann had a great battle with Frosty Miller Medallist Nick Sautner who kicked 3 of Sandy’s 7 goals for the day. Boumann should gain enormous self belief and confidence from his game and he looks set for an exciting season.

Guy O’Keefe, Sam Reid and Malcolm Lynch were all solid contributors on ball and young forwards Ayce Cordy, Liam Jones and ruck pair Jordan Roughead and John Shaw were constantly presenting.

Dean Galea and Matthew Little both started up back before both had stints up forward and this versatility will certainly be an added bonus for Seagulls Selectors.

Up back Cameron Lockwood had an outstanding game whilst Mitchell Keddell, Mark Weekes and Matthew Miller all played serviceable games.

Young onballers Xavier Gotch, Dylan Joyce, Josh Young and Matthew Cravino all had impact off the bench when they joined the fray whilst Henry White confirmed his improvement with another impressive display.

Young Rookie Jamason Daniels continues to impress with his speed and endurance whilst Tom Williams was rock solid both back and forward.

Skipper Brett Johnson led from the front in an impressive display whilst young NSW recruit Dane Rampe showed enough to indicate he will be a handy late recruit for the Seagulls as he is expected to sign up this week.

2008 leading Goalkicker Patrick Rose had a quiet day and had to leave the ground in the third quarter with an upset stomach.

Overall Brad Gotch had his coaching staff would have impressed with the improved performance and with regular senior players Ben Jolley, Jason Cloke, Ben Davies, Scott Meyer and David Stretton rested yesterday with promising Luke Cartelli also looking on, there is no doubt that there is tremendous depth in the playing ranks at Williamstown in 2009.

Williamstown: 4.1.25 ~ 10.3.63 ~ 12.3.75 ~ 17.4.106

Sandringham: 1.6.12 ~ 2.6.18 ~ 7.12.54 ~ 7.14.56

Goalkickers: Little 3, O’Keefe 2, Young 1, Galea 1, Joyce 1, Skipper 1, Gotch 1, Jones 1, Roughead 1, Lynch 1, Daniels 1, Keddell 1, Cordy 1, Egan 1

Best Players : Skipper, Lockwood, Johnson, Boumann, Reid, Little

v Box Hill 28/3

Williamstown played Box Hill in beautiful sunny conditions at the Whitten Oval on Saturday.

Box Hill began the game brilliantly by kicking 7 goals to 1 in the opening 20 minutes of the game. Box Hill forwards Mitchell Thorp, Luke Bruest, Hayden Kiel, and Ben Smithwick were lively contributors whilst Willy was riddled with turnovers and a lack of accountability.

Williamstown steadied after the early onslaught and Cameron Lockwood, Wayde Skipper, Ben Jolley, Liam Picken and Sam Reid begun the revival. Box Hill had a very small forward line and after Brad Gotch rearranged his defence Williamstown begun to reduce the 31 point quarter time lead. Up forward Matthew Little was prominent and midfielders Guy O’Keefe, Xavier Gotch, Jarrod Harbrow and Ben Jolley begun to capitalise on the dominance of Wayde Skipper.

Williamstown trailed by 4 points at half time but in the second half powered away by kicking 13 goals to 6. Youngsters Luke Cartelli, Easton Wood, Malcolm Lynch and Jarrad Grant exerted an influence and seasoned players Scott Welsh, Brett Johnson, Ben Davies and David Stretton were more prominent.

Scott Meyer in his first game of the season was a bit rusty whilst Cameron Wight and Jarrad Boumann were solid contributors. Tim Callan after a promising start did not resume after half time as a precaution with a corkie. Jordan Roughead continued his development in the ruck and up forward whilst Box Hill showed that they will be a vastly improved side this season.

Williamstown: 3.2.20 ~ 10.5.65 ~ 16.10.106 ~ 23.15.153

Box Hill: 8.3.51 ~ 10.9.69 ~ 12.11.83 ~ 16.15.111

Goalkicker: Little 3, Picken 3, O’Keefe 3, Welsh 3, Skipper 2, Gotch 2, Reid 2, Harbrow 2, Johnson 1, Grant 1, Wight 1.

Reserves Wrap

Williamstown and Box Hill played an entertaining game in the Reserves with Jason Cloke playing his first game and young Bulldogs Rookie John Shaw, Liam Jones and Jamason Daniels very prominent. Other good players included Dylan Joyce, Matthew Cravino, Trent Lee, Tom Langlands and Josh Young.

Williamstown: 3.3.21 ~ 5.5.35 ~ 8.7.55 ~ 13.10.88

Box Hill: 3.3.21 ~ 7.5.47 ~ 11.8.74 ~ 14.8.82

Goalkickers: Stack 3, Joyce 2, Jones 2, Irwin-Hill 2, Cloke 1, Isbister 1, Lee 1, Sharp 1.

v Nth Ballarat 4/4

Williamstown played reigning premiers North Ballarat in a practice match at Whitten Oval on Saturday.

Williamstown Coach Brad Gotch was very pleased with the performance of the team and especially happy with the way the team powered away in the second half to kick 14 goals to 6 to win by 66 points.

Sam Reid (pictured) underlined his improvement with a dominant display as a midfielder and he was well supported by Captain Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley, Patrick Rose, David Stretton and Xavier Gotch.

Up forward Scott Welsh displayed great touch and confidence to kick 5 goals and was supported by Jarrod Grant, Ayce Cordy and Matthew Little.

Recruits Ben Davies and Chris Egan performed very well and showed Seagull supporters that they will be key players in 2009.

Ruckman Wade Skipper again played well against North Ballarats key ruck duo Tristan Cartledge and Orren Stephenson.

Bulldog youngsters Guy O'Keefe, Henry White and Malcolm Lynch also highlighted their strong pre season and they have definitely stepped up in their form in 2009.

Up back Scott Meyer, Jason Cloke, Luke Cartelli and Mitchell Keddell were strong contributors whilst Andrejs Everitt and Stephen Tiller took their demotion from the Bulldogs in the right fashion and played extremely well.

Cam Wight played a very consistent game whilst young ruckmen Jordan Roughead injured his shoulder in the second quarter and did not return as a precaution.

Williamstown: 5.7.37 ~ 8.9.57 ~ 16.12.108 ~ 22.15.147

North Ballarat: 2.2.14 ~ 6.5.41 ~ 9.6.60 ~ 12.9.81

Goal Kickers: Welsh 5, Grant 4, O'Keefe 3, Rose 1, Skipper 1, Jolley 1, Stretton 1, Everitt 1, Cordy 1, Tiller 1, Lynch 1, Little 1, Gotch 1.

Best Players: Reid, Skipper, Jolley, Everitt, Welsh, Egan

Reserve Wrap

Williamstown Reserves had a comfortable 45 point victory over North Ballarat and confirmed that they will be a strong side in again 2009.

Williamstown: 5.4.34 ~ 9.6.60 ~ 13.9.87 ~ 16.12.108

North Ballarat: 1.0.6 ~ 5.0.30 ~ 5.3.33 ~ 9.9.63

Goal Kickers: Galea 4, Stack 3, Uren 3, Graham 3, Young 1, Jellis 1, Irwin-Hill 1.

Best Players: Young, Grossman, Stack, Galea, Sharp, Svarc