BOOKMAKERS have Williamstown favourite to win the inaugural Foxtel Cup, but that will serve as little if any comfort to coach Peter German and the players.
Williamstown, enjoying yet another strong season and coming off a series of comprehensive Foxtel Cup victories, face a far more formidable foe in Claremont, runners-up in the West Australian Football League last year and well positioned this season.
And, what’s even more demanding is that the Seagulls must travel, for the third time in its fourth Foxtel match, to Perth.
Indeed, it’s a challenging assignment, but that’s nothing new for the Seagulls who defeated Swan Districts at Patersons Stadium by 37-points in the Foxtel Cup opener and then ventured to South Australia where they easily accounted for West Adelaide by 19-points.
At its only home State match at Etihad Stadium, Williamstown trounced East Perth by 71-points.
German, mindful that the club hasn’t enjoyed a bye like all other VFL clubs this season, has rotated players throughout the Foxtel Cup in a bid to keep them fresh for the business end of the season.
While the Williamstown team wasn’t known at edition deadline, it’s expected German will roll out all his trumps in a bid to secure the Foxtel Cup.
What will aid German is that Western Bulldogs, the AFL affiliate of Williamstown, has a bye this weekend and several key players like Will Minson, Jarrad Grant, Josh Hill, Lucas Markovic and Dylan Addison could be available.
It would only compliment Williamstown’s strong VFL list headed by captain Brett Johnson, enjoying yet another outstanding season, Ben Davies, Ben Jolley and Brett Goodes.
Also, in German’s favour is that he will have a good handle on Claremont given his background of coaching Subiaco to two premierships, including one over Claremont.
Although the football landscape has changed considerably since German coached Subiaco he will be able to call on his vast network of contacts to get the low-down on Claremont.
Certainly, Claremont enters the match bursting with confidence as its Foxtel Cup lead in form has been strong. They defeated Clarence by 71-points, Northern Bullants by 46-points and then Port Adelaide by 16-points to claim its Grand Final spot.
Clearly, the win against the Bullants is the best form reference. Claremont, led by Luke Backwell and Byron Schammer, exposed the Ants on several fronts, especially their ability to quickly spread and use the ball effectively.
Claremont sit second on the WAFL with only West Perth above them and just six points in the favour of West Perth separated the clubs just three weeks ago.
The WAFL Tigers have prolific possession winners in Backwell, Andrew Browne and West Coast listed players Tom Swift and Patrick McGinty while Ian Richardson and Beau Wilkes are the club’s go-to-guys in attack.
While Claremont has several things in its favour, it may struggle to match the overall strength of Williamstown.
Click HERE to view the teams.
Click HERE to view the Foxtel Cup press conference earlier this week
DATE: Saturday 6th August 2011
TIME: 5:05pm AEST
VENUE: Patersons Stadium, Perth
BROADCAST DETAILS
TV: 5:00pm FOX SPORTS 1 LIVE
VFL Radio: 4:30pm
VFL Radio will be broadcasting the 2011 Foxtel Cup Grand Final between Claremont and Williamstown this Saturday 6th August.
There are a number of platforms you can hear the big match including:
- The Red Time Sport iPhone App – download for free from the iTunes App Store,
- Aussie Digital Radio (Melbourne Only) - SEN’s second digital station,
- www.vfl.com.au
The commentary team consists of Melbourne Sports Commentator Peter Marcato, former ANZAC Day Medallist and Collingwood and St Kilda player Mark McGough (who now plays for East Fremantle in the WAFL) and Jack Crawshaw on the boundary.
The commentary team will kick off with a 30 minute preview from 4:30pm AEST with interviews with both teams then a full call of the game and the presentations. Listeners on the Red Time Sport iPhone App will have the chance to interact with the commentary team as the broadcast is going on.
Last Modified on 05/08/2011 16:26