They’ve been one of the most talked about Peter Jackson VFL clubs of the off-season but the Williamstown hierarchy know the hard work has only just begun.
In the last year of their alignment with the Western Bulldogs, the Seagulls loom as a serious premiership threat.
A substantial list of quality recruits and the expected improvement in the Bulldogs-listed youngsters have the Seagulls quietly confident they can again push deep into the finals.
Coach Peter German started the summer with a wish list that included some extra speed through the midfield, a quality ruckman and a key forward.
In a significant coup German and his recruiting team have been able to secure the players to address almost all of their concerns.
Former Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood is arguably the most prized recruit at the Seagulls, giving German much needed security in the big man department.
“Last year we were never really sure who was going to ruck and with stoppages the way they are now, it’s such an important position,” he said.
“We still think Cam has plenty to offer at AFL level and are confident we can help in his development.”
Former Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions forward Justin Sherman has signed to continue his career with Seagulls and will surely benefit from Wood’s arrival.
The unlucky Brent Prismall, whose career at Essendon and Geelong was cruelled by injury, will be another key addition but German said he would be given time to get his body right.
“We don’t want to put too much expectation on Brent,” he said.
“He’s obviously a quality player but we just want him to build up his fitness and string some games together.”
Filling the key-forward post for the Seagulls this season will be Leigh Williams, who was another player unlucky with injuries while on Melbourne’s rookie last year.
The promising tall has barely missed a session according German, who said he had also looked the goods in practice matches.
The final piece of the recruiting puzzle saw talented duo Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters depart Coburg in favour of the Seagulls.
Wheeler and Masters were members of AFL Victoria’s VFL Academy last year and are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Brett Goodes and Jack Frost, who both found their way onto AFL lists this season via Williamstown.
“We think we’ve been able to set up an environment that helps players develop to the AFL standard and those two boys have seen something in Williamstown that they think will help them become better players,” German said.
Williamstown
Coach: Peter German
2012 ladder position: 5th (11 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw)
2012 Finals finish: Defeated by Port Melbourne in preliminary final.
2012 best and fairest: Ben Jolley
Key recruits Leigh Williams (Melbourne) Brent Prismall (Essendon) Cameron Wood (Collingwood) Leigh Masters, Willie Wheeler (Coburg).
Key losses: Andrew Hooper, Matthew Panos, Zeph Skinner, James Wall
Last Modified on 25/03/2013 17:01