What the local papers say.

[Dale61]

Courtesy of The Williamstown Advertiser

Steven Milne gives his view on last Sunday's win.

Holland's form may be too rich for Pies to resist

Willy or won't he?

"Congratulations. (But) the job is not done yet."

That was the message from Williamstown coach Brad Gotch as he addressed his players after their rehab session at Burbank Oval on Monday night.

The Collingwood assistant coach urged them to "go out and enjoy" the build-up to what promises to be a crackerjack grand final against the Box Hill Hawks at Optus Oval this Sunday (2.10 pm start).

The Seagulls will start slight favourites to win their first premiership since 1990 after demolishing an undermanned Hawks line-up in the second qualifying final a fortnight ago.

That will count for nothing at the first bounce this Sunday.

The Collingwood-aligned blue and golds can consider themselves a little lucky to be playing in the biggest game of the year after only just pipping a wasteful Port Melbourne in the preliminary final at TEAC Oval last Sunday.

Gotch and his coaching staff endured some anxious moments as the Borough made a bold comeback - thanks to successive long-bomb goals from Shannon Motlop - with the wind at their backs in the dying minutes of the game.

They ran out of time.

Wingman Sam Cranage was here, there and everywhere in a best-on-ground performance.

Bullocking half-forward Jarrod Molloy hustled and bustled with telling affect.

The 27 year old has enjoyed a fabulous final series and shapes as a matchwinner against the Hawks.

Yet there may be a few selection dilemmas for the coaching panel - especially with Collingwood also playing a crucial match at the weekend.

Strong-marking Magpies rookie(?) Tristian Walker is expected to line-up for Williamstown.

He is likely to make way for run-with midfielder Brodie Holland in the Pies' squad for the blockbuster AFL preliminary final against Port Adelaide (I thought the Pies are playing Port Power!- Dale61) at the MCG this Saturday.

Holland played a pearler of a game for the Seagulls against Port.

Make no mistake, Williamstown supporters will be at fever pitch.

The reserves are eyeing back-to-back premierships and are up against Preston (Northern Bullants) at Optus Oval this Sunday (11 am start).

Will it be a double premiership celebration for the Seagulls?

Club general manager Brendan Curry urged the blue and gold army to come out in force to back their footy heroes.

Supporters are invited back to Burbank Oval (formerly Point Gellibrand Oval) on Sunday night.

Cost is $10 and includes all-you-can-eat finger food, plus entertainment.

Speeches will start at 8.30 pm.

"Hopefully, they can get down and celebrate something special," Curry said.

Fans are also invited to attend the final training session at Burbank Oval this Friday from 5pm.

The club will run two buses to Optus Oval at 10.30am this Sunday.

Inquiries: 9390 0611

[Dale61]

Courtesy of The Times.

Seagulls primed and ready for premiership tilt
VFL with Howard Leigh

BARRY Round, the last man to lead Williamstown to a VFL-VFA premiership, 13 years ago, is ready to abdicate and pass the baton to current coach Brad Gotch.

Speaking after Williamstown's hard earned seven-point preliminary final win over Port Melbourne last Sunday, the champion big man said he was quietly confident the Seagulls could win the 2003 flag.

The premiership challenge at Optus Oval will come from Tony Liberatore's Box Hill Hawks, who have gained momentum with wins over Sandringham and Werribee after losing to Williamstown.

"The lead up in the past few weeks has been tremendous. The boys have got self belief," Round said.

"The blend of Collingwood AFL players and Williamstown's Brad Lloyd, Troy West, Josh Mahoney, Adrian Fletcher and Sam Cranage has come together. That's where our strength is this year."

Gotch said he was very excited about guiding the club on the road towards its 13th VFL-VFA flag.

"It will be a big weekend with our seniors and reserves both in grand finals and Collingwood in the AFL preliminary final," he said. "Last year our reserves won the flag and Collingwood got through to the grand final. Our seniors were the missing link and it hurt players like Westie and Lloyd. That's why we recruited more smartly."

Gotch said he and his match committee, headed by Bruce Davis, would spend many hours of preparation for the big day.

It would centre on Box Hill's three big men David Loats, Robert Campbell and Michael Rix, who will face emerging Collingwood-list youth Guy Richards and Cameron Cloke.

The Seagulls' finals squad will in many ways be dependent on the Collingwood selection process with Jarrod Molloy, Brodie Holland and Rupert Betheras pushing their claims after special efforts against Port.

Richards, who spoke of a dizzy spell because of dehydration during the third quarter of the match, Leon Davis (calf) and Mark Richardson (foot) are expected to be fit.

Williamstown chief executive Brendan Curry met with VFL management on Monday afternoon to work his way through a bank of issues, such as dressing rooms and media coverage.

"I think we can win it," Curry said. "We have a strong list and our three year alignment with Collingwood has got better each year. Everyone realises they are playing at a pretty good football club and hopefully we can bring home a couple of premierships."

The reserves won their way to challenge the unbeaten Northern Bullants with a 100-point drubbing of Port Melbourne last Sunday. The young Seagulls face a big challenge against unbeaten Northern Bullants in a curtain-raiser game at Optus Oval on Sunday starting at 11am.

SUPPORTERS are welcome to attend Williamstown's final training session at Burbank Oval (Point Gellibrand) on Friday from 5.30pm. Snacks and drinks will be available.

ALL roads lead to Burbank Oval after the grand final with the club throwing a party to end all parties, win, lose or draw, from 5.30pm.

A $10 donation will cover the cost of food and drinks will be available at bar prices. Supporters will have the opportunity to meet the players, coaches and officials and there will be live entertainment until the early hours of Monday morning.

[Tank36]

Can't stand Steve Milne's write ups in the local paper. He is a bit of a tool. Howard Leigh is alright though. At least Howard doesn't get too caried away and carry on like a pork chop like Milne does?

I wonder who willy are going to bring to cover the loss of pace of Davis and Holland. I hope they don't just don't settle on last wks side plus Williams and Walker. I am scared we will get killed by pace.

[Dale61]

Whilst I was rewriting Milne's article, it dawned on me that he is obviously a Port Melbourne supporter.

For example:

The Collingwood-aligned blue and golds can consider themselves a little lucky to be playing in the biggest game of the year after only just pipping a wasteful Port Melbourne in the preliminary final at TEAC Oval last Sunday.

Gotch and his coaching staff endured some anxious moments as the Borough made a bold comeback - thanks to successive long-bomb goals from Shannon Motlop - with the wind at their backs in the dying minutes of the game.

They ran out of time.

Maybe he graduated from the 'Caroline Wilson School of Journalism', where he was taught to show his bias at all times.

[Mick Gallus]

Tank,
I was at Wiiliamstown training tonight and I think that there will be changes to last weeks side.
Check out Bucky's match ups Part 3 as Tom Hill, Brendan Hollow and Leigh Sheehan in the mix with the pace of the hawk midfield.
Expect HIll to play and maybe Hollow or Sheehan as well.
As Bucky says probably Maxwell/Richo to miss out as to tall and slow.
Go Willi!!!!!