Leigh Masters has joined Williamstown Football Club. 88527_01 Picture: CONTRIBUTED
WILLIAMSTOWN Football Club has landed two massive recruits during the Victorian Football League’s off-season.
Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters have committed to the Seagulls for the 2013 season with both crossing over from Coburg.
The pair finished first and second respectively in Coburg’s best and fairest and were also members of the 2012 VFL Academy.
Williamstown Football manager Chris Dixon said the signings were a great coup for the Seagulls.
“The arrival of both players is a massive vote of confidence in the direction of the Williamstown Football Club and we’re absolutely delighted that both young men believe that our club environment is the way forward,” he said.
Wheeler played a total of 33 VFL games at Coburg since arriving from TAC Cup club the Murray Bushrangers.
The skilful midfielder led the Tigers for clearances in 2012 and capped of his fantastic season by winning the club’s best and fairest award.
Hot on his heels was Masters, who finished second in the award and is set to play on either a wing or the half back line for Williamstown.
Masters has played 22 senior VFL games over the past two seasons after being recruited from the Bendigo Pioneers and was also one of the better players in the AFL Victoria Young Guns game held recently.
Dixon said that the club’s transition to a standalone model has made Williamstown a more attractive destination for players.
“In the past, we’ve lost multiple players to other VFL clubs as we haven’t been able to offer the same opportunities, but as we move towards standalone in 2014, it’s exciting that players like Willie and Leigh see Williamstown as the best place to take their game forward.”
“We couldn’t have been more impressed when we sat down with both boys and hearing how much they wanted to take their football to the next level.
“At only 20 years of age, we feel there is still significant improvement in both Willie and Leigh and we look forward to them being regular senior players at Williamstown.”
