Season Summary: 1998

Traralgon, which had managed only four wins and a draw to go with 31 defeats in its two seasons in the VFL, dropped out and returned to the Latrobe Valley Football League and was replaced by a Bendigo team in 1998. There was also a question mark over Preston's future in the competition but it ultimately made the finals, finishing in fifth position.

Saade Ghazi took over the captaincy from Tony Pastore in this season after 'Paz' moved to Springvale, with Merv Keane entering his third year as coach. Danny Delre was vice-captain and Brett Gould deputy vice-captain. New players included Michael Brown (Fitzroy Seconds), Peter Christoforo (Essendon Seconds), Brad Hollow (Calder Cannons), Matthew Bettin (Geelong Seconds), Robert McMahon (Fitzroy Seniors & Hawthorn Seconds), Andrew Lattenstein (North Melbourne Seconds), Rob Railton (Traralgon), Todd McHardy (Melbourne), Matthew Forys and Daryl Griffin (Footscray). 

An indifferent start to the season cost Williamstown the chance of playing in the finals. After two wins in the first three rounds, another victory wasn't obtained until round 10 when Port Melbourne were defeated by 16 points at Pt Gellibrand but only after 'Town kicked the final three goals of the match. The Seagulls then played consistently to win the next four and give hope of a finals berth. 'Town then had to play four of the five eventual finalists in rounds 15-18 and, similarly to the previous season, lost every one, confirming that a finals berth was beyond them. A victory over Bendigo in the last round gave Williamstown eight wins from 18 home-and-away fixtures, missing out on a spot in the final six by just one game for the second year in succession. Fifth-placed Preston was defeated twice by 'Town, while fourth-placed North Ballarat was also beaten. There were also narrow losses to the other finalists, Sandringham (6 points), Frankston (11 points), eventual runner-up Werribee (15 points) and premier Springvale (19 points). 

Centre half-forward and vice-captain, Danny Delre, proved useful in attack and his 60 goals for the season was the best by a Williamstown player since Ian Rickman's 82 in 1992. His fine season also earned him the club's Andy Taylor Memorial Trophy for best and fairest to go with the Bert Hodge Memorial Trophy as leading goalscorer. Midfielder, Lee Fraser, was runner-up in the best and fairest. Full-back Troy West was awarded the Ron James Memorial Trophy for most valuable player to go with VFL representation and selection in the VFL All-Star team, while Cameron Beazley won the Bill Sheahan Memorial Trophy as best and fairest in the Reserves, coached by Mick Baker, which made the finals. The Bill 'Darkie' Raffle Memorial Trophy for best clubman went to Kevin Johnson. Terry Maloney was once again team manager of the Seniors. 

Before the end of the year, former Geelong grand final player and captain and Brisbane defender, Andrew Bews, had been appointed coach, replacing Merv Keane, with former Footscray and North Melbourne player, Keenan Reynolds, his assistant. 

Centre half-back in the WFC 1960's Team of the Decade, Terry O'Mara, passed away on August 13, 1998, aged just 57. He arrived at Williamstown in 1966 after playing 20 games and kicking 1 goal with Fitzroy in 1963-65. He played 101 games without kicking a goal for the Seagulls from 1966-1971, including the 1969 premiership and grand finals in 1968 and 1970. He was awarded best clubman in 1969. Young recruit from the Western Jets, Trent Murphy, was killed in a car accident on Christmas Day in 1998. 

In July 1998, the Club enveiled its Hall of Fame in the Members Bar at Seagulls Nest featuring framed premiership plaques, photos of recent Liston Trophy winners and premiership cups. It was a function attended by 300 people (see photos below). 

1989 Liston Medallist and 1997 Club best and fairest winner, Saade Ghazi, was appointed captain for the 1998 season.

Robert McMahon arrived at Williamstown in 1998 after playing 2 games and kicking 1 goal with Fitzroy in 1996 and with Hawthorn Seconds in 1997. He was drafted from Gippsland Power in the 1994 AFL draft. He played 27 games and kicked 3 goals for the Seagulls from 1998-2000.

Williamstown's 1998 playing list.

 Western Times report from February 1998 on the Club's gaming venue, Seagulls, which opened in December 1997. Pictured are coach Merv Keane, captain Saade Ghazi, player Steve Zavalas and Club legend Barry Round.

Centre half-back in the WFC 1960's Team of the Decade, Terry O'Mara, passed away on August 13, 1998, aged just 57. He arrived at Williamstown in 1966 after playing 20 games and kicking 1 goal with Fitzroy in 1963-65. He played 101 games without kicking a goal for the Seagulls from 1966-1971, including the 1969 premiership and grand finals in 1968 and 1970. He was awarded best clubman in 1969. 

Club legends, Johnny 'Dasher' Martin (left) and Ray Smith, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Williamstown multiple premiership players, from left Frank Sims (1954/55/56/58), Gerry Callahan (1954/55/56/58/59) and Eric Bietzel (1955/56/58/59), at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July.

Former player, David Smith (left), with captain from 1962-66, Daryl Ward, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

From left, Danny Del-Re, 1939 premiership player, George Fitch, and Barry Round  at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July.

Long-time supporter, Jock Rae (left), former Seconds and Thirds player and charity founder, Les Twentyman (centre) and legendary trainer, John Hogg, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Jeff 'Bulldog' Ind with Kris Paxton, partner of former Club medico, Manu Gilani, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Former players, from left, David Smith, Greg Boxall, John Fanning, John Whittington, Mark Cross and Bob Percy, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Former players, from left, Ken Barnes, David Smith, John Fanning, Mick Mulligan, Terry O'Mara and Greg Boxall at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. Terry O'Mara passed away the following month.

1990 premiership teammates, Simon Lloyd (left) and Ian Rickman, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Former players, Danny Del-Re (left), Saade Ghazi (centre) and Tony Pastore, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

General Manager at the time, Brendan Curry (left), with former VFA president and former Williamstown director, John Grieve, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Former president, Kim Walsh (left) with former captain, Tony Pastore, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

1950's premiership players, from left, Frank Sims, Reg Fisher, Eric Bietzel, Ray Smith with head trainer from 1952-70, Bob Major, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

Dual premiership player (1958/59), George Mazouris (right), with his son, Brett, at the Hall of Fame launch at Seagulls Nest in July. 

The best Williamstown players of the last 50 years were selected by Tony Hannebery and John Grieve in June 1998.