What the local papers say.

[Dale61]

From the Williamstown Advertiser - July 30.

Headaches for Gulls as finals near.

Premiership contender Williamstown's depth is getting a fair work-out.

Injuries and Collingwood call-ups are causing a few headaches for coach Brad Gotch and his assistants.

However, the youngsters from the reserves continue to grab their opportunities with both hands.

Second-gamer Nick McArdle fired at centre half-back as the Seagulls staved off a pesky Northern Bullants at Burbank Oval last Saturday.

Gotch was full of praise for McArdle who blanketed potential matchwinner Andrew Merrington.

Third-gamer Luke Jarrad was another new face to impress when let loose on a wing after starting the game on the interchange.

Half-forward Scott Taylor was lively with two goals after earning a recall.

The blue and golds rocketed back into second position on the ladder with four home-and-away games remaining.

Club general manager Brendan Curry has his fingers crossed that the side can stay there.

"It'll strengthen our case for a possible home final (in the first week of the finals)," he said.

"Chances are we'll be playing Port Melbourne. We'd prefer to play them at home than at TEAC Oval."

Williamstown need to play well, though.

They play North Ballarat (away), Tasmania (away), Geelong (home) and Bendigo (away) in the run to the finals.

Curry concedes it's "a pretty tough draw."

"We're certainly going to be challenged an all games."

He insists Gotch and his players will be treating every game as a mini-final.

"We don't want to limp into the finals," he said.

"We want to be in top form with a bit of momentum (behind us)."

The Seagulls will be without leading goalkicker Marcus Baldwin for this Saturday's game against the Roosters at Northern Oval.

He is expected to plead guilty after being cited on video evidence for striking Andrew Merrington in the last quarter last Saturday.