Tweet
By Jason Phelan
WESTERN Bulldogs players are likely to make up more than half of Williamstown's grand final team, but new Dogs' coach Brendan McCartney won't have a hands-on role in the Seagulls' bid for the 2011 VFL premiership.
McCartney was appointed to the role on Monday and is happy to let Peter German, the coach of the club's VFL affiliate, call the shots in Sunday's grand final clash against Port Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
"I had coffee with [Brendan] yesterday and that was about it. He's still trying to settle in and find his feet," German said on Wednesday.
"He's just been very supportive and wished me good luck on the weekend. That's pretty much what we spoke about."
Although he won't be directly involved in the match, McCartney will certainly be a keen observer - a fact not lost on the players.
"I think it's definitely in my mind and probably a few other [guys] as well," second-year Bulldog Christian Howard said.
"You always want to impress the new coach and get off on the right foot. It's a clean start … but I think he's just hoping that we win this weekend and he's been really supportive.
"We're looking forward to showing him what we can do."
Fourteen Bulldogs lined up for the Seagulls' preliminary final win against Werribee with a similar or higher number set to face Port Melbourne.
Borough coach Gary Ayres doesn't have that luxury as the coach of a stand-alone VFL club, but it hasn't stopped him guiding his team into the premiership decider without suffering a single loss in 20 games.
"These guys are heroes in my mind because of what they've been able to do," Ayres said of his team's undefeated season.
"They should be applauded in being able to keep themselves up against 15 to 19 AFL-listed players on a regular basis.
"There's always this talk about fitness and infrastructure and all that, but I just don't think the Port Melbourne players get the kudos [they deserve] from outside and I think it's about time that changed.
"The club believes in the [stand-alone] model … [but] it will all be tested again by very good opposition on Sunday."
The VFL grand final will get underway at 2:15pm, shortly after the conclusion of the TAC Cup grand final between Oakleigh and Sandringham, which kicks off the day at 10:30am.
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
WESTERN Bulldogs players are likely to make up more than half of Williamstown's grand final team, but new Dogs' coach Brendan McCartney won't have a hands-on role in the Seagulls' bid for the 2011 VFL premiership.
McCartney was appointed to the role on Monday and is happy to let Peter German, the coach of the club's VFL affiliate, call the shots in Sunday's grand final clash against Port Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
"I had coffee with [Brendan] yesterday and that was about it. He's still trying to settle in and find his feet," German said on Wednesday.
"He's just been very supportive and wished me good luck on the weekend. That's pretty much what we spoke about."
Although he won't be directly involved in the match, McCartney will certainly be a keen observer - a fact not lost on the players.
"I think it's definitely in my mind and probably a few other [guys] as well," second-year Bulldog Christian Howard said.
"You always want to impress the new coach and get off on the right foot. It's a clean start … but I think he's just hoping that we win this weekend and he's been really supportive.
"We're looking forward to showing him what we can do."
Fourteen Bulldogs lined up for the Seagulls' preliminary final win against Werribee with a similar or higher number set to face Port Melbourne.
Borough coach Gary Ayres doesn't have that luxury as the coach of a stand-alone VFL club, but it hasn't stopped him guiding his team into the premiership decider without suffering a single loss in 20 games.
"These guys are heroes in my mind because of what they've been able to do," Ayres said of his team's undefeated season.
"They should be applauded in being able to keep themselves up against 15 to 19 AFL-listed players on a regular basis.
"There's always this talk about fitness and infrastructure and all that, but I just don't think the Port Melbourne players get the kudos [they deserve] from outside and I think it's about time that changed.
"The club believes in the [stand-alone] model … [but] it will all be tested again by very good opposition on Sunday."
The VFL grand final will get underway at 2:15pm, shortly after the conclusion of the TAC Cup grand final between Oakleigh and Sandringham, which kicks off the day at 10:30am.
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
Comment