Williamstown played reigning premiers North Ballarat in a practice match at Whitten Oval on Saturday.
 
Williamstown Coach Brad Gotch was very pleased with the performance of the team and especially happy with the way the team powered away in the second half to kick 14 goals to 6 to win by 66 points.
 
Sam Reid underlined his improvement with a dominant display as a midfielder and he was well supported by Captain Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley, Patrick Rose, David Stretton and Xavier Gotch.
 
Up forward Scott Welsh displayed great touch and confidence to kick 5 goals and was supported by Jarrod Grant, Ayce Cordy and Matthew Little.
 
Recruits Ben Davies and Chris Egan performed very well and showed Seagull supporters that they will be key players in 2009.
 
Ruckman Wade Skipper again played well against North Ballarat’s key ruck duo Tristan Cartledge and Orren Stephenson.
 
Bulldog youngsters Guy O’Keefe, Henry White and Malcolm Lynch also highlighted their strong pre season and they have definitely stepped up in their form in 2009.
 
Up back Scott Meyer, Jason Cloke, Luke Cartelli and Mitchell Keddell were strong contributors whilst Andrejs Everitt and Stephen Tiller took their demotion from the Bulldogs in the right fashion and played extremely well.
 
Cam Wright played a very consistent game whilst young ruckmen Jordan Roughead injured his shoulder in the second quarter and did not return as a precaution.
 
Next week the VFL season commences but Williamstown has a bye in Round 1. Williamstown will play the AIS U/17 side in an AFL curtain raiser challenge match at Etihad Stadium commencing at 11.05am. St. Kilda will play the West Coast Eagles in the AFL match.
 
Williamstown     5.7  8.9  16.12  22.15  (147)

North Ballarat     2.2  6.5  9.6      12.8    (81)
 
Goal Kickers: Welsh 5, Grant 4, O’Keefe 3, Rose 1, Skipper 1, Jolley 1, Stretton 1, Everitt 1, Cordy 1, Tiller 1, Lynch 1, Little 1, Gotch 1.
 
Best Players: Reid, Skipper, Jolley, Everitt, Welsh, Egan

 

Reserve's Wrap

Williamstown Reserves had a comfortable 45 point victory over North Ballarat and confirmed that they will be a strong side in again 2009.
 
Williamstown     5.4  9.6  13.9  16.12  (108)

North Ballarat     1.0  5.0   5.3      9.9   (63)
 
Goal Kickers: Galea 4, Stack 3, Uren 3, Graham 3, Young 1, Jellis 1, Irwin-Hill 1.
 
Best Players: Young, Grossman, Stack, Galea, Sharp, Svarc