Williamstown’s Anthony Anastasio feels quite comfortable causing havoc around goals for the Seagulls. 81547Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
HE MAY only be 168cm tall, but Williamstown youngster Anthony Anastasio can certainly add plenty of flare to a game of footy.
In his senior VFL debut on Saturday, the little goal-sneak booted five goals that helped bury the Coburg Tigers.
A week earlier he made his first senior appearance for the Seagulls in their Foxtel Cup clash against South Adelaide.
That game also marked the first time he got to play on the hallowed turf of the MCG.
“It was unreal, words can’t really describe it,” Anastasio said.
“I was lucky enough to get an early touch and that early touch turned into a goal.”
Last year in the TAC Cup, Anastasio nearly single-handedly dragged the Sandringham Dragons from defeat in their come-from-behind win over the Calder Cannons in the preliminary final.
A week later he kicked a goal and set up two more close to the final siren, as the Dragons again came from behind to upset the Oakleigh Chargers in the grand final.
The 18-year-old had only begun playing footy at 15 after a mate asked him to join local junior club, Ormond.
Before that, soccer was Anastasio’s game, which he’d previously spent eight years playing before making the switch.
After just one year with Ormond, Anastasio got the call from Sandringham.
“It was a good experience,” Anastasio said of his TAC Cup days.
“As a top-ager I was lucky enough to play every game bar one when I was injured and we were just lucky enough to make the finals and go all the way through.”
After the premiership win with Sandringham, Anastasio entered the draft, but was overlooked by AFL clubs before Williamstown came knocking.
Anastasio said he “couldn’t be happier” with his current club.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Great coach, great players, good support all round, and it’s just a great club.”
Williamstown senior coach Peter German said Anastasio has improved immensely since arriving at the club, and will continue to push for senior selection as the season goes on.
Williamstown: 22.9 (141) d Coburg: 12.10 (82)
Goals: Williamstown: A. Anastasio 5, M. Panos 3, L. Jong 2, K. McHarg 2, J. McNamara 2, J. Wall, T. Hill, J. Redpath, D. Conway, E. Carr, M. Stockdale, B. Jolley, C. Howard. Coburg: D. Connors 4, M. White 2, B. O’Hanlon 2, M. Arnot, T. Derickx, J. Post, A. Graham.
Best: Williamstown: L. Jong, J. Wall, B. Moles, C. Howard, M. Stockdale, A. Anastasio. Coburg: A. Maric, M. White, D. Connors, A. Graham, B. O’Hanlon, B. Griffiths.
