NO shortage of familiar faces await Williamstown when they tackle East Perth in a Foxtel Cup Semi Final on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.
East Perth, who finished third last season on the West Australian Football League ladder, boast a plethora of ex AFL and VFL players as well as a number of Fremantle Dockers listed and rookie players.
Former North Melbourne forward Josh Smith, who played in all three North Ballarat premierships and won a Norm Goss Medal, headlines East Perth’s attack.
Smith, who kicked three goals in the Rooster’s Grand Final success last season, is likely to be joined by former Richmond No 1 draft selection Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls.
While Kayne Pettifer, another Richmond No 1 draft pick, played for East Perth earlier in the season, he’s since returned to Victoria and will not play after being transferred to Montrose in the EFL.
Another ex-Tiger Graham Polak played in East Perth’s Foxtel Quarter Final win against the Andrew McLeod NT Thunder, but subsequently he suffered yet another concussion.
East Perth also boast ex Hawthorn forward Gary Moss as well as former Port Melbourne player Michael Swan, who won the 2000 Fothergill Round Medal.
The Royals ruck brigade is led by Fremantle’s Zac Clarke, who stands 203 cm.
For all its array of apparent talent, East Perth’s season in the WAFL has not risen to any great heights. They currently sit second last on the ladder.
East Perth progressed to its match-up against Williamstown on the back of a surging two-point win against reigning VFL premiers North Ballarat in the opening round of the Foxtel Cup.
The Royals defeated NT Thunder by six-points, but the victory was not without its anxious moments as NT Thunder kicked the last four goals of the match.
Williamstown, the odds-on favourites to win the Foxtel Cup according to various betting shops, advanced to the Semi Final on the back of a 37-point win against Swan Districts in the first round of the knock-out competition.
The Seagulls comfortably accounted for West Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, a match where the scoreboard flattered the home team.
After two matches on the road, Williamstown will appreciate a ‘home’ match although they’ve never played at Etihad Stadium. The Seagulls welcome back into their side this week James Mulligan and Mitch Hahn.
Williamstown Seagulls (VFL 3rd place 2010) v East Perth Royals (WAFL 3rd place 2010)
DATE: Saturday 9th July 2011
TIME: 5:05pm local time (AEST)
VENUE: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne – free entry
BROADCAST: 5pm - 7pm FOX SPORTS 1 (LIVE)
PAST RESULTS:
RD1: Williamstown 8.7 (55) def. Swan Districts 2.6 (18)
RD1: East Perth 9.9 (63) def. North Ballarat 9.7 (61)
QF: Williamstown 16.6 (96) def. West Adelaide 12.5 (77)
QF: East Perth 12.5 (77) def. NT Thunder 10.11 (71)
Williamstown team for Saturday night:
Backs:
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22. Dylan Addison
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31. James Mulligan
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37. Lukas Markovic
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Half Backs:
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30. Christian Howard
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8. Mitch Hahn
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34. Jason Tutt
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Centres:
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7. David Stretton
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10. Brett Johnson
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18. Brennan Stack
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Half Forwards:
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70. Josh Hill
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48. Matthew Panos
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11. Sam Reid
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Forwards:
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26. Zephaniah Skinner
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78. Will Minson
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41. Andrew Hooper
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Followers:
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23. Jordan Roughead
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33. Nathan Djerrkura
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17. Tom Liberatore
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Interchange (From):
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3. Ben Davies
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32. Patrick Veszpremi
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20. Brett Goodes
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40. Matthew Cravino
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29. Jason Johannisen
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16. Dane Rampe
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15. Kwame McHarg
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44. Steve McCallum
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12. Nick Walters
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1. Phil Smith
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14. Jack Frost
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Last Modified on 08/07/2011 15:11