Seagulls destroy Casey Fields

[rand corp]

http://williamstown.footballvic.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=116108

Seagulls run all over Scorpions

Williamstown recorded 98 point victory in the Practice Match against Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields on Sunday. The Seagulls won 23.15 (153) to 8.7 (55). The Seagulls were on top all day which included a 10 goal 3rd quarter.

The Seagulls midfield rotation of Nicholls, Davies, Wellingham, Johnson, Greene, Picken and Egan was too much for the Scorpions as they contiunually fed the dangerous forward line of Limbach, Reid, Williams, Stretton and Rose. The Defence held together well led by Sea Pies contingent Cox, Brown, Iles and Clarke and the ever improving Conor Dullard who provided good rebound and drive off half back whilst keeping their opponents in check.

Earlier in the day the Reserves recorded a huge win by 113 points with Mitchell Keddell and Ryan Crawford the stars up forward with 10 goals between them.

Williamstown 7.3 11.8 21.13 23.15 (153)
Casey Scorpions 0.1 2.4 2.5 8.7 (55)

Williamstown Best: Wellingham, Greene, Reid, Nicholls, Davies, Picken, Rose

Williamstown Goals: Williams 5, Rose 4, Limbach 3, Stretton 3, Johnson 2, Reid 2, Greene 1, Clarke 1, Picken, Boyd


Reserves

Williamstown 7.6 14.12 21.17 24.20 (164)
Casey Scorpions 0.4 0.6 4.9 7.9 (51)

Goalkickers - Keddell 6, Crawford 4, Lockwood 3, Dickson 2, Beaumont 2, Clark 2, Jenkins 2, Roberts, Scott, Long

Best Players - Crawford, Keddell, Lockwood, Jenkins, Chiu, Grossman

[campbell023]

I like the look of those bests...especially Welligham and reid.

[rand corp]

Report from poster 'Tex' over on Hotrod's Extreme Black & White Bulletin Board: http://www.voy.com/51976/

One sided game at Casey Fields. Open ground and a bit windy so some of the skills were affected on occasions. Casey Scorpions were outclasseed but it was an encouraging performance by a very young Williamstown outfit. 139-17 at 3 qtr time, before Casey got about 6 consolation goals in the last qtr as the Willi players saved their bodies for the real season. Pendles, Toovey and Stanley were at game watching. Not sure of Danny Stanley’s injury. Brodie Holland was on team sheet – but didn’t see him at ground. MM, Brad Scott, Richo and Caracella, among other coaches were there. Dougie Barwick was taking the midfield at quarter time huddles.

Some player thoughts:
12 Shannon Cox – Played in defence basically all day. Did what he had to do and did it impressively despite the lack of opposition. The highlight of the match was a ‘J Brown type mark’ running full speed back with flight of ball by Cox into a group of 3 or 4 players. Managed to wipe out a Scorpions opponent in the process of taking mark. Copped a corky in the clash but played out the second half with thigh bandaged up. Must be in the mix for round 1 but form of Wakelin and Maxwell may keep him out. When Cox and Egan played defence in first half, Scorpions tried to drag at least one of them back to the goal square all the time to restrict their rebound. Almost deserves a game in Round 1 on ‘that mark’ alone – it was that good.
15 Chris Egan – played half back in first half and on a wing in second half. Most important to me was his demeanour and work rate. Was first class and plenty of encouragement for teammates in the quarter time huddles. Ran hard all day but let himself down a bit on occasions with execution of disposal and trying a bit too hard if anything. Disposal can be partly mitigated by the flukey wind conditions at the open Casey Fields. Looks in terrific physical nick and shouldn’t be too far into the season before he gets a crack at AFL level. An encouraging display as the work ethic was outstanding.
16 Nathan Brown – played mainly forward and interchange in first half. Got an extended run as a key defender in second half when Egan moved to a wing. Physically ready to play at AFL, but with the limited footy background still has a fair bit to learn. Was impressed with his game in defence in terms of what he should develop into down the track. Should be a very capable AFL level key defender ready to take over from Presti in a few years. Lacks the athleticism to be a permanent option as a key forward imo. Good straightline pace – not much of a leap etc. Certainly has the tools to be a 194cm version of Ned Kelly (pre knee reco) when he fully develops his game.
19 Ben Davies – usual very serviceable game of VFL level football by Ben. Seems a good kid, willing to learn, listen to coaches etc. However the outside mid game he plays to perfection at VFL level collecting 35 touches a game, may not translate to AFL level unless he improves hardness at footy and general disposal. If he can’t do that, he needs to become a tagger imho to make it AFL level – should ask Gotchy to play this role for Willy with a view to playing the role at AFL level.
20 Ben Reid – WOW. Seen him twice now and can’t help but be excited. Not so much for this year (although he can and will play AFL level in 07), but what he will develop into. Just to confirm – he is nothing like a Kepler Bradley/ David Hale as some have speculated. He has a complete different skill set to Travis Cloke despite some reports. Is a genuine key position prospect with sticky hands who takes contested marks despite the skinny frame. With his athleticism, can see why he was given a chance on the wing on ocassions in juniors, but he gives all the impressions he can develop into a very exciting key position prospect (probably forward). Now for his game report! Played key forward all day, mainly out of square, a bit at CHF. Wasn’t BOG, didn’t kick a bag despite the big win, but presented hard all day, leads to the right spots and judges his overhead marks very well. Kicked one nice set shot goal from the pocket from about 45m, set up at least 3 goals with foot passes. At the moment his goal kicking results from set shots are very reminiscent of Taz. Doesn’t seem any obvious technical deficiency though and should improve in years to come with more strength and experience, and a well practiced set shot routine. Like Taz, executed some lovely long passes to team mates for goals.
29 Ryan Cook – solid game by Cook on a hff without having a huge impact on the scoreboard. Pushed up the ground hard to get kicks and open up the forward line, a bit like Daks in 06. Got a run in the centre at start of last quarter. Plenty of ground level ball, but needs to eradicate the Cheesy running around in circles habit when he gets it in midfield. Has good evasion, so often doesn’t get tackled while doing it, but put it puts pressure on his team mates near him and the forwards trying to lead. Maybe needs to give the first option handball more in this situation?
37 Sam Iles – played small defender most of the day along side the like of Clarke as wells as Egan, Cox, Wellingham and Macaffer on occasions. Serviceable game – didn’t do much wrong but when the score is 139-17 at 3 qtr time, the back pocket doesn’t always have a lot to do. Always gives 100% effort in every contest. Maybe a chance for round 1 if Norf play the small forward line (without Thompson) with the likes of Grant, Jones, Campbell and Thomas.
38 Tyson Goldsack – Played on a wing most of the day. Ran out of a bit of match fitness in second half due to interrupted pre-season. On and off the bench a fair bit like a lot of players. Wiry skinny tall winger with good pace. Did ok, showed some good signs with endeavour, attack on the ball etc, but obviously will be better for the run. Maybe 10-14 possesions?
41 Sharrod Wellingham – really liked my first look at Sharrod in a match situation. Played a bit as a small defender in first half, before being given a more attacking licence around wing/hff in second half. Pace, evasive skills, good kicking and ability to keep feet are the stand out. Skinny frame and coming from WAFL under 18’s have you thinking 07 might be a bit early for AFL, but certainly is putting his hand up. One effort in 3rd quarter where he got the ball at half forward about 70m out dodged around 3 or 4 opponents and unfortunately kicked a point from 50m was super impressive. Commitment to overhead marking contests was good considering his frame. Certainly no Andrew Hill or Tom Hooker. The wet VFL grounds of mid June may test him, but could be playing at a higher level on good surfaces by then… The scope for development is exciting.
43 Marty Clarke – played as a small defender most of day. Runs hard forward when needed. Lack of games played is not obvious. From a distance, his kicking action for short 30-40m passes looks very neat and accurate. Obviously under pressure this may fall down from time to time, but his kicking skills are amazing given his lack of exposure to the game. Had one shot from 60m in the third (with the wind) that was a point but went through by about 20m. Huge roost. Kicked a goal in 1st qtr which got a rap from Gotchy at Qtr time and a cheer from his team mates. Should get a regular game at VFL senior level this year on merit which is a huge achievement for the kid.
44 Danny Nicholls – Got leather poisoning in the first 2 and a half quarters as a rover changing at half back. In and under rover who also runs hard to receive. Nice piercing left foot kick too. Still very skinny in legs, so might be able to build up pace and acceleration with some more strength. Has he got the skill set and pace to make it AFL level given his height? Still a question mark, but I think a lot of his errors in his limited AFL exposure were a lack of composure and awareness, so would not write him off yet. May get a senior game in 2nd half of year if season results go south.
45 Brent Macaffer – on and off the bench a fair bit. Played the majority of his time in defence as well as some time across half forward. Played some time deep in defence on their jumping jack Justin Sweeney and did ok. Can see why he kicked 70 goals at TAC level – very strong one on one and good recovery. A similar skill set to a young Rupert Betheras and the trick for him (like Rupert) is if he doesn’t develop the windtank to play midfield, can he find himself a spot at AFL level given the increasing want for multiple midfield rotations. Promising game, but would be behind Wellingham and Nicholls for rookie promotion at this stage.

25 Scott Meyer – has filled out and has a big leap. Excellent gound level skills and clean disposal for a ruckman. The question is – is there a place for a 196cm ruckman (albeit with a big leap) at AFL level these days? Certainly would not be embarrassed at all head to head with Richards and Bryan, but that is no pre-requisite to long term success at AFL level unfortunately.
18 Liam Picken – good game but VFL is his level. Kicking skills similar to Dad.
1 Patrick Rose – really good kid with super courage who keeps finding the pill. Unfortunately at 177cm maybe doesn’t have the x factor for AFL level. Old fashioned footballer. Very good one on one for height.

One post note – those who remember skinny Pies recuit Mark Bradley from the mid nineties – he is now a very solid unit who has transferred from the country leagues to Casey Scorpions. Still can’t play though…

[jonesy86]

is connor dullard for willy a running half back????

i used to play cricket against him and he was a big fast bowler