Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

Could Reid take on a similar role to Hahn?

Reid is a hard bodied aggressive midfielder that we desperately need.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

Personally, I think Markovic was a waste of a pick. He is too slow for VFL let alone AFL.

I hate looking back in hindsight, but with our lack of running depth at the moment, Barlow would have been handy at that pick, wouldn't he?

Agree with both of these. I'd be interested to know why we didn't take a look at Barlow. I know 15 other clubs didn't either, but why?

I've only seen Markovic at training/intra club matches, but he does seem to be a waste of a pick. Alex Silvagni looks a much better prospect with scope for improvement, despite having some flaws too.

We can't get it right every time, but it'd be nice to hear the club's reasoning all the same. Hopefully we can pick up a diamond in the rough at the end of this season. Still have plenty of holes in our list, as most sides do.

[hujsh]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I know it's early but in the opinion of the Willy watchers would we have been better off with Faulks as a late pick than Markovic or is he too 'Wightish' (skinny)

[comrade]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I know it's early but in the opinion of the Willy watchers would we have been better off with Faulks as a late pick than Markovic or is he too 'Wightish' (skinny)

Much better lateral movement than Wight and seems like a smarter footballer, too. Damn skinny though. He'd struggle to compete as a genuine KPD at the highest level, but could make a handy 3rd or 4th tall.

[Greystache]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I know it's early but in the opinion of the Willy watchers would we have been better off with Faulks as a late pick than Markovic or is he too 'Wightish' (skinny)

Agree with Comrade that he's very skinny, he also seems to be the sort of guy who gives his all every week to be a handy VFL player. Not sure a guy who tries that hard already has much scope for the improvement required to step up to AFL footy. Not a knock on the bloke, just not everyone is born to play at the highest level.

[GVGjr]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I wouldn't have him earmarked for a bullocking forward role. I see him as an in close midfielder who can win his own ball and apply strength around the contest.

Could he replace Cross? Yes he could.

No doubt that would be the ideal role for him but physically he's getting very big and if he continues to add size I think it could impact his mobility.

I know he's underdone with his running fitness so in a few more weeks we will know how he really is progressing.

[comrade]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

No doubt that would be the ideal role for him but physically he's getting very big and if he continues to add size I think it could impact his mobility.

I know he's underdone with his running fitness so in a few more weeks we will know how he really is progressing.

Being unable to run for a few months, combined with managing diabetes, has probably contributed to some additional weight gain. Once he has more game time and some solid km’s under his belt, he should be back to his optimal playing weight and able to move around much more freely.

I rate him very, very highly.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I know it's early but in the opinion of the Willy watchers would we have been better off with Faulks as a late pick than Markovic or is he too 'Wightish' (skinny)

I'm sure he was drafted a few years ago!

[chef]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I'm sure he was drafted a few years ago!

He was on Sydney's list for a couple of years.

[hujsh]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I'm sure he was drafted a few years ago!

As Chef said was at Sydney but Markovic was at Hawthorn a while back as well so no real difference there.

[Desipura]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

Agree with Comrade that he's very skinny, he also seems to be the sort of guy who gives his all every week to be a handy VFL player. Not sure a guy who tries that hard already has much scope for the improvement required to step up to AFL footy. Not a knock on the bloke, just not everyone is born to play at the highest level.

Sounds like Picken Wait a second, Picken is doing alright.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

As Chef said was at Sydney but Markovic was at Hawthorn a while back as well so no real difference there.

Not disagreeing just making a point

[Mofra]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

No doubt that would be the ideal role for him but physically he's getting very big and if he continues to add size I think it could impact his mobility.

Players often start the year fairly heavy anyway as the recovery/conditioning between games isn't always condusive to adding or even maintaining weight.

Is is something that could be concerning though in bigger picture terms - I'd hope the fitness staff have an idea of ideal playing weight for players and given Minson got to 6kg+ higher than his ideal playing weight, you have to wonder how closely we are monitoring this.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I think they work out your height to weight ratio like this, for eg. 195cm should be 95kg, 190cm 90kg etc.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 4 - Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

Williamstown beat old rivals comfortably

Williamstown met Port Melbourne in Round 4 VFL action last Saturday at Burbank Oval. Both sides entered the clash with a 2-1 win/loss ratio and the game promised to be the usual desperate and tough clash between the two oldest clubs in the competition.

Williamstown made five changes to the side which lost by one point to Sandringham the week before. Into the side came Western Bulldog Stephen Tiller who had played two reserves games after an interrupted pre-season due to a serious groin operation. Tom German and Matthew Grossman were recalled to the senior side and youngster Kwame McHarg who joined the Club from TAC Cup side Sandringham Dragons was promoted for his first senior game. Out of the side went injured duo Cameron Lockwood and Jason Tutt whilst Josh Griffiths and Luke Cartelli were omitted.

Port Melbourne made two changes to the side which defeated the Northern Bullants in Round 3- Josh Free and Michael Dillon were promoted for Wil De Bruin and Matthew Suckling who were dropped.

First Quarter

In fine but windy conditions Williamstown started brightly through the dominance of big man Will Minson who dominated Port Melbourne’s David Fanning in the centre. Recalled midfielder Tom German was very prominent in the first term and he combined with Ben Davies, Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley to provide the Seagulls with early opportunities which resulted in goals to Matthew Little, Andrew Hooper and Liam Jones. Up back the Williamstown defence led by Peter Faulks and Lukas Markovic was able to keep the Borough goalless in the opening term.

Williamstown 3.1
Port Melbourne 0.5

Second Quarter

Port Melbourne begun well in the second term with goals to Adrian Bonaddio, Phil Raymond and Chris Cain to claw their way back into the contest. Josh Hill and Patrick Rose were lively and the Seagulls were able to re-establish a five goal lead after goals to Ben Davies, Brett Johnson, Liam Jones, Andrew Hooper and Ed Carr. David Stretton was doing a fine defensive job on ex-Bulldog Malcolm Lynch and Jarrad Boumann was providing plenty of rebound from defence. First gamer Kwame McHarg was also prominent.

Williamstown 9.4
Port Melbourne 3.10

Third quarter

As expected the Borough bounced back in the third term as Sam Pleming, Stephen Brewer, Toby Pinwill and Ryan McMahon all lifted. Goals to Adam Bentick, Pinwill, McMahon and Pleming closed the gap to a couple of goals. Brennan Stack was playing his best game for the season and with Liam Jones were providing the Borough defenders with plenty of headaches. The Seagulls responded with goals to Stack, Jones, Hooper and German to re-establish a 29 point lead at the final break.

Williamstown 13.5
Port Melbourne 7.12

Fourth Quarter

Williamstown kicked the opening two goals of the quarter to extend its lead to seven goals but the Port Melbourne side showed their usual grit to hang in and responded by kicking four goals in the final term. Williamstown was wasteful in the last term, kicking 3.7.

Williamstown 16.12 (108)
Port Melbourne 11.15 (81)

Goalkickers: Hooper 3, Jones 3, Little 2, Johnson 2, Stack 2, Davies, Hill, German, Carr

Best Players: Davies, Minson, German, Stack, Jolley, Markovic


Reserves Wrap

Williamstown Reserves maintained their unbeaten status by downing an inaccurate Port Melbourne by 16 points. Williamstown introduced Altona recruit Lee Spiteri for his first game for the Club and Dylan Ayton was promoted from Spotswood for his first game for the season.

Western Bulldog Sam Reid who underwent a serious groin operation during the pre-season continued his gradual build up and played more game time this week. Young Portland recruit Jake Wilson continued his fine form up back and Adam Marangon played his best game for the season. It was also pleasing to see Stephen McCallum kick two critical goals in the final quarter which should boost his confidence in coming weeks.

Williamstown 4.1 7.3 9.7 13.11 (89)
Port Melbourne 1.4 5.11 7.17 9.19 (73)

Goalkickers: Cartelli 2, McCallum 2, Purton-Smith 2, DiMartino 2, Sing, Daniels, Rampe, Lee, Fogarty

Best Players: Wilson, Sing, Daniels, Mulligan, Reid, Cartelli, Griffiths

What’s on next week...?

Next Sunday 9th May Williamstown hosts Werribee at Burbank Oval with the Reserves commencing at 11am and the Senior game at 2pm.
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