By Michael Esposito
WILLIAMSTOWN is expected this week to sign former Collingwood player Ryan Cook, who was delisted by the Magpies at the end of the 2010 season.
Cook, who played 14 career games for the Pies, started his VFL footy career in 2006 at Williamstown, when the Seagulls were Collingwood’s affiliate team.
Cook played for Collingwood’s VFL side last year and proved his worth in the state competition, winning the Joseph Wren trophy last year as Collingwood’s best VFL player.
The Seagulls have also signed Calder Cannons player Alistair Kefford and have several TAC Cup players, mainly Western Jets, training with the side.
Williamstown CEO Brendan Curry said the club’s main priority was signing up TAC Cup players now that the AFL draft period had ended.
No Williamstown player was taken in Tuesday’s rookie draft, despite defender Matthew Grossman and spearhead Matthew Little being considered possible AFL prospects.
“Matty Little had an outstanding year but no-one had rang him,” Curry said of the VFL’s leading goalkicker this season.
Curry also said Williamstown had contributed $20,000 each to mature-aged Western Bulldogs rookies Mitch Hahn and Ed Barlow.
Hahn will take on a forward coaching role with Williamstown next season, although his main priority will be getting on the Bulldog’s senior list.
Williamstown has also introduced an academy for players aged 18-21, which will focus on developing first and second year players into potential AFL recruits.
Recent appointments Justin Plapp and Jeremy Barnard will be heavily involved in what has been named the Liam Picken Academy, which will enable participating footballers to complete a certificate three in sport and recreation.
Players will go through the same induction program that all AFL clubs undertake with their first year players.
Components of the induction program will include financial advice, goal setting, resume writing, time management, cooking lessons and health and wellbeing.
