By LIAM TWOMEY
WILLIAMSTOWN is just days away from launching its 2013 VFL campaign, with reigning premier Geelong first up on the club’s hit list.
After a busy off-season both on and off the field, head coach Peter German is happy with his side’s preparation heading into round one.
The Seagulls were one of the most active clubs during the break, adding a number of exciting players to their squad.
Justin Sherman, Cameron Wood and Brent Prismall lead the list while former Coburg duo Leigh Masters and Willie Wheeler will further strengthen the Williamstown line up.
“We have gone out and recruited specifically for our needs that we have felt over the past couple of years might have let us down a little bit come finals time,” German said.
“I have been pleased with our off-season activity.
“All the guys who have come in have all had a positive impact on the group.”
Williamstown has also secured a host of players out of the TAC Cup competition.
The club will have 16 players on its list in 2013 who have previously played with the Western Jets while more than 35 players in total have come from the TAC Cup competition.
“Part of the Williamstown philosophy for a while now has been that we get the best players out of the TAC Cup, not only with our aligned club the Western Jets, but whether it be the Calder Cannons, or the Sandringham Dragons or Northern Knights,” German said.
“We believe we have a really good system at Williamstown which helps develop players and we try and encourage them to come to our club. They know that they are going to be developed.
“We have a good crop of players out of the TAC Cup and we think if there are any short falls, or if we get injuries and we need depth, we have guys who are ready to go.”
While some are touting Williamstown as a premiership contender, German isn’t looking too far down the line as the club enters its final season aligned with the Western Bulldogs.
“When you are in an alignment situation, you are never really sure what team you will have week to week,” German said.
“It’s hard to say that this team we have should be a top-eight side or anything like that. I think with the group that we have got, we should be confidant that any given week we will be competitive.
“Rather than looking too far forward we want to concentrate on our KPI’s and focus on that more than anything else.”
With the opening match of the year scheduled for Torquay, the Seagulls will play their first home game against Coburg in round two.
