By Michael Esposito
PETER German established a dominant team in his first year in charge of Williamstown, but it was one that failed at the penultimate hurdle.
If the Seagulls are to go all the way this season, they will have to do so without the bookends of last year’s star-studded team, power forward Matthew Little (Bendigo Bombers), and fullback Peter Faulks (drafted to Fremantle).
But Williamstown fans cannot help but expect success from the club, which has promised so much in recent years but has not advanced to the season-decider since 2003, when it defeated Box Hill.
But captain Brett Johnson does not feel there is a sense of unfinished business. Rather, with 40 per cent of last year’s list turned over, he views the season as somewhat of a fresh start.
“I think there’s a bit more unpredictability about the list and how the forward line’s going to shape up this year, which may be an advantage for us,” he said.
“The way we play we’re going to have a few different options up forward and be a bit less predictable.
“We’ve got to start over again, and we’ve got to get ourselves in a position to have a crack first, that’s the main thing we’re focusing on.
“We’re doing things a bit differently. It’s going to be an exciting year I think, there’s going to be a few guys who are going to have to step up.”
Johnson did not believe the absence of Little (84 goals last year) would hamper Williamstown’s ability to consistently kick match-winning totals.
The Seagulls have acquired the services of veteran Bulldogs rookie Mitch Hahn as a playing forward coach, and new Bulldogs recruit Zephaniah Skinner, who has shown glimpses of brilliance in practice matches, and is likely to play several games for Williamstown this season.
“Mitch is going to be huge for us. He’s going to add some hardness to us, but he might end up playing back a fair bit as well. I think if we get enough entries to the forward line we’ll kick enough goals,” Johnson said.
Former North Ballarat player Brett Goodes, who played with NT Thunder in the QAFL last year, will also add plenty of drive from the midfield.
Williamstown has routinely recruited some of the best young talent from the TAC Cup, and this year is no different. Stephen Witkowski (Northern Knights) and Dale Hoghton (Gippsland Power) are expected to make an impact.
Adam Kennedy, who will captain the Western Jets this year, is expected to play for Williamstown in the last half of the year. The Seagulls’ hierarchy believes he should be at an AFL club and they are doing everything in their power to get him there.
“We’re really impressed with him,” Johnson said. “He definitely knows how to play the game. He’s got a few of those things you can’t teach – decision making – the way he reads the game.”
Williamstown will have the added challenge of playing no home games at Burbank Oval because of the ground’s redevelopment, but Johnson can see some positives.
“As the year goes on, it may lead to our advantage a bit because the teams we play have to travel a bit as well,” he says.
“Obviously having to play in regional areas like Torquay I think we’ll be used to it by then, so hopefully it works for us.”
