What the local papers say.

[Dale61]

From The Mail - Weds Sept 3

NOT PLAYING FAVOURITES

Williamstown is the unbackable favourite to win the VFL premiership.

Coach Brad Gotch will be aghast at the statement.

The Collingwood assistant coach is adamant the flag is still well and truly up for grabs.

The Seagulls are flying high after pulverising an undermanned Box Hill in a qualifying final at the City Oval in Box Hill last Saturday.

Demoted Collingwood star Jarrod Malloy was unstoppable roaming across half-forward to collect 26 possessions in a best on ground display.

Molloy was an unlucky omission from the Magpie side for the AFL round 22 blockbuster against Essendon at the MCG last Friday night.

"He certainly adds a bit of strength and toughness," club general manager Brendan Curry said.

"He played with great spirit."

Hard-at-it midfielders Adrian Fletcher and Brad Lloyd also played starring roles.

Curry lauded a 'very even performance'.

"Everyone did their little bit."

Top marks to the Stereo 974 FM team for their coverage of the big game.

Match-day producer Mark Stone was pumped after teeing up an exclusive interview with high-profile Collingwood president Eddie McGuire at half-time.

Williamstown is just one win away from a berth in the grand final. The Seagulls will play the winner of the Tasmania/Port Melbourne first semi-final at Bellerive Oval in Tasmania this Sunday in a preliminary final at North Port Oval in Port Melbourne the following Saturday or Sunday.

Damaging ruck-rover Heath Scotland has emerged as a 'smokey' for the prestigious Liston Medal.

The Collingwood-listed player enjoyed several stand-out performances in his 11 games in the blue and gold this season.

Scotland and teammates Adrian Fletcher and Brad Lloyd have been invited to the count at the Moonee Valley Racecourse next Monday night.

Williamstown's reserves will play Sandringham in a cut-throat first semi-final at Burbank Oval in Williamstown this Satyrday, from 11am.

They suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Port Melbourne in a qualifying final at the City Oval last Saturday.

Coach Anthony Eames will have his players breathing fire against the Zebras.

A note of interest is that Luke Shackleton has been named in the reserves team this week - Dale61.

From The Star.

Williamstown scored an eight-goal win over Box Hill in the second qualifying final.

After being flag favourites and on top of the ladder all season, Box Hill has lost four of it's past five matches and now faces a do-or-die final against Werribee.

Williamstown led by four goals at half-time with the help of Collingwood-listed players Jarrod Molloy, Mark McGough and Rupert Betheras.

Steve McKee booted three for Williamstown, and elusive goal sneak Leon Davis had 20 touches, also kicking three.