Season Summary: 2014

The competition structure changed again in 2014 with Richmond and Coburg ending their alignment and reverting to stand-alone clubs, and Coburg once again becoming the Lions. Also, Williamstown and the Western Bulldogs parted ways and became stand-alone entities in the VFL. This meant 16 teams competed in the competition in this season.

By reverting to stand-alone status for the first time since 1999 in 2014, the Club went on a massive recruitment campaign in order to bolster the playing stocks now that Western Bulldog-listed players were no longer available and 34 new players were added to the list. Andy Collins had already been appointed coach in late 2013, replacing Peter German, and he lured Ryan Ferguson and Brad Mangan to the Club after coaching them at West Adelaide. Ben Davies returned to the Club after two seasons playing in the country, and Peter Faulks did likewise after being de-listed by Fremantle. Kane Lambert, Adam Marcon, Nick Meese and Tim Currie were all lured from the Northern Blues, Western Jets captain Brett Bewley and teammate Jake Greiser, Michael Gibbons from the Murray Bushrangers and Jake Owen from the Calder Cannons came from the TAC Cup, while David Fahey came across from Essendon. Sean Tighe and ex-Port Adelaide AFL player Mitch Banner were recruited from South Fremantle, and Scott Clouston arrived from Werribee. Ben Bese also joined the Club from Strathmore.

The only significant departure was Cameron Wood who was rookie-listed by Carlton, while Justin Sherman retired from the VFL after just three games in 2013 due to a knee injury. Brett Henderson was again in charge of the Seconds while Adam Potter returned to the Club as senior assistant coach and Chris Dixon continued on as football manager.

The round 15 home game against Box Hill was moved to round 1 to open the season and resulted in a 13-point defeat, 13.17.95 to 11.16.82, then, despite picking up four players from Cramer Street, the Seagulls were not good enough and suffered a four-point loss to the Northern Blues at Carlton, 15.11.101 to 14.13.97, in round 2. Two victories followed in games at Williamstown against eventual-premier Footscray by 41 points (98-57) and Richmond by 70 points (129-59), before another loss to Port at Pt. Gellibrand, 10.11.71 to 5.14.44, with eight of 'Town's behinds coming in the first quarter. Only one more defeat was sustained for the remainder of the season, at Box Hill in round 10 by 21 points, amongst some significant victories:

· At Frankston by 56 points in round 6;

· At Casey by 80 points in round 12;

· At Williamstown against Bendigo by 61 points in round 16, with the score of 21.17.143 being the team’s highest score of the season, in Peter Faulks 50^th VFL game;

· At Craigieburn against Essendon by 71 points in round 17, with the score of 20.12.132 being the second-highest score of the season; and

Highlights of the round 17 game can be viewed by copying and pasting the following link into your browser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgZ7ASYFBI4

· At Sandringham by 55 points in round 20 in the final home-and-away game, after being just 10 points up at three-quarter time before kicking 7 unanswered goals in the last term.

Williamstown finished third on the ladder with 14 wins and 4 losses and qualified for its ninth consecutive final series, which was just one year shy of the Club record ten seasons from 1953-62. The Seagulls met second-placed Footscray at a blustery Whitten Oval in the qualifying final which resulted in a 20-point defeat, 14.11.95 to 10.15.75, with Adam Marcon best for the ‘Town.

The Seagulls then met Werribee at North Port in the semi-final and, after trailing by 32 points at three-quarter time, kicked 9.5 to 0.1 in the last term to win by 26 points, 15.15.105 to 11.13.79, and get through to yet another preliminary final. Kane Lambert kicked four goals, including three in the last, and was best-on-ground. It was Williamstown’s 12^th consecutive victory over neighbouring Werribee.

Highlights of the last quarter of the Werribee game can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH4-QfWeols&feature=em-uploademail

The preliminary final was mired in controversy even before the first bounce due to the VFL using its discretion to allow Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy to play for Box Hill even though he had not played sufficient games to qualify during the year and was, therefore, ineligible. In the end he was the difference between the two teams, being judged best-on-ground in a seven point win to the Hawks, 15.10.100 to 14.9.93. Williamstown came from four goals down in the third quarter to level the scores with 15 minutes to play, but Box Hill kicked two of the last three goals of the game to snatch victory, in the third loss to the Hawks for the season. Marcon was again best for the Seagulls, while Ben Davies, Mitch Banner, Cameron Lockwood, Ben Bese and Ed Carr also played well.

The Development League team finished on top again with 13 wins and 3 losses and a percentage of 226. It won its way through to the Grand Final by beating Box Hill comfortably in the semi-final, 13.17.95 to 7.9.51 and repeated the effort against the Hawks in the grand final to win convincingly, 18.18.126 to 13.13.91, with co-captain Dylan Conway kicking 8 goals and being judged best-on-ground to take home the Fred Hill Memorial Medal. The other co-captain, Shaun Wyatt, booted 5 goals, and better players were Wyatt, Jake Greiser, Michael Gibbons, Josh Bench and Jake Owen. This meant back-to-back flags for the Reserves side under coach Brett Henderson.

Other notable events to occur during the year included:

The Williamstown Football Club held its inaugural Hall of Fame function at Crown Casino on Saturday 31st May 2014 attended by more than 600 people. 51 players, officials and volunteers were announced as the inaugural inductees to the Williamstown Football Club Hall of Fame with four of these elevated to legend status: Ray Smith, Gerry Callahan, Barry Round & Ian Rickman (the late Ron Todd was also recognised as a legend of the Club & Max Papley was elevated in 2017 to legend status);

· In July, Williamstown became the first and only team to win the Foxtel Cup twice by defeating West Perth by 63 points, 10.11.71 to 1.2.8, in the grand final at Geelong under lights. Ben Davies was awarded the Coles Medal for best-on-ground, while other good players were Kane Lambert, Sean Tighe, Nick Sing, David Fahey and Scott Clouston;

Ben Jolley, Adam Marcon, Brad Mangan, Scott Clouston, Nick Meese, Ben Davies and coach Andy Collins were selected in the VFL Team of the Year;

Jolley, Marcon, Clouston, Meese and Cameron Lockwood were selected in the VFL representative team that played against SANFL on May 31 at Port Melbourne and were defeated by 22 points;

· Adam Marcon won the Frank Johnson Medal for best Victorian player in that game while Lockwood and Meese were named amongst the best players;

· Northern Bullants recruit, Kane Lambert, was rookie-listed by Richmond late in the year;

· On the administration side, Brendan Curry left the Club after a record 19 seasons from 1996 as CEO. He was replaced by Jason Reddick in December who came to the Club from Carlton; and

· Skipper Ben Jolley won his third Gerry Callahan Medal as best and fairest in the seniors, from Northern Bullants recruits Adam Marcon and Nick Meese in third place. First-year player Scott Clouston was leading goalkicker with a total of 31 majors. Reserves co-captain, Shaun Wyatt, was awarded the Bill Sheahan Memorial Trophy for best and fairest in that grade, with Josh Bench runner-up and Reid Adams in third place. Jolley also won his sixth Ron James Memorial Trophy as the Club’s most valuable player, and fifth in succession. Support staff member Maurie Thurston was voted best club person and received the Bill ‘Darkie’ Raffle Memorial Trophy.

Life member, dual back-pocket premiership player and two-time best and fairest winner, Reg Harley, passed away on February 1 at the age of 88. Reg played 117 games, including the 1945 and 1954 winning grand finals and took out the Club best and fairest awards in 1946 and 1947. He also played 61 games with South Melbourne from 1948-52, before returning to Williamstown. He was named on the interchange bench in the Williamstown Team of the Century.

Dual premiership ruckman and best and fairest winner, Harry Simpson, passed away on February 20 at the age of 85. He came from South Melbourne in 1952 and played 75 games and kicked 82 goals up until the end of 1955, including the 1954 and 1955 premierships. He won the Club best & fairest award in 1953 and 1954 and was the most serviceable player in 1952. Simpson was runner-up in the JJ Liston Trophy in 1954 and was selected in a forward pocket in the WFC Team of the Century.

1954 & 1955 premiership teammate, ruckman Sid Wookey, passed away on September 8. Sid played 136 games and kicked 31 goals from 1950-57, and played in the 1954/55/56 flag sides. He also served as President from 1978-80.

Former vice-president of 1973-75, Alec Bell, passed away in November 2014. Alec was Club secretary from 1965-69 and treasurer from 1970-71. He was ticket secretary in 1966 and on the finance committee from 1965-71. He continued on as a volunteer for the next 40 years after his official roles concluded.

Long-time supporter and Gulls coterie member, The Reverend Russell Braddon, passed away in March.

2014 senior playing list

President, Trevor Monti, maintains that Ned Kelly played 11 games for Williamstown in 1873 while on the Sacramento prison hulk which was docked at Point Gellibrand.

Recruit Jake Greiser with the Western Jets in 2013

Newly-appointed coach, Andy Collins

Adam Marcon, son of former Preston star, Adrian Marcon, was recruited from the Northern Blues in 2014

Kane Lambert also moved across to Williamstown from the Northern Blues in 2014

Ruckman Nick Meese during his time with the Northern Bullants before crossing to Williamstown in 2014

Ben Jolley in his third year of captaincy at Williamstown in 2014

Jack Johnstone fires off a handball in the round 14 game at Coburg, won by Williamstown 14.9.93 to 12.10.82.

First-year player, Brett Bewley, gets tackled in the round 14 game at Coburg.

Sean Hetherington outmarks his Coburg opponent in the round 14 game at Coburg.

Leigh Masters gets a handball away against his former team at Coburg in the round 14 game.

Cover of the Foxtel Cup grand final at Geelong, featuring Williamstown's Nick Sing and West Perth's Jay Van Berlo

Williamstown became the first and only team to win the Foxtel Cup twice by defeating West Perth by 63 points.

Ben Davies, best afield in the Foxtel Cup victory over West Perth in July, receives the Coles Medal from Barry Hall

Kane Lambert is congratulated by teammates after goaling in the Foxtel Cup final

Scott Clouston takes a big grab against Geelong at Williamstown in the round 7 fixture

Peter Faulks played his 50th VFL game in round 16 v Bendigo at Williamstown in a 10-goal victory

Jack Johnston in action v. Northern Blues at Williamstown in round 18

Willie Wheeler takes possession of the ball at Sandringham in the round 20 fixture

Adam Marcon, best afield for Williamstown in the 20-point defeat in the qualifying final

Mitch Banner in the qualifying final v. Footscray at Whitten Oval

The final score in Williamstown's amazing last quarter comeback against Werribee in the first semi-final

Leigh Masters prepares to mark against Werribee in the first semi at North Port

Kane Lambert gets a handball away in the first semi against Werribee

Kane Lambert celebrates one of his three last quarter goals in the semi-final against Werribee

David Fahey gets front position in the semi-final v. Werribee at North Port in 2014.

Nick Sing (right) gets set for a mark against Werribee in the 2014 first semi

Scott Clouston flies for a mark against his old club in the first semi at North Port Oval

Ed Carr, Adam Marcon, Kane Lambert & Sean Hetherington celebrate another last quarter goal against Werribee

Anton Woods congratulates Jack Charleston on his long-bomb goal in the preliminary final

Development League team list for Grand Final v. Box Hill

Co-captains, Shaun Wyatt (5 goals) & Dylan Conway (8 goals) after the Reserves Grand Final victory.

Back row: Kathy Sheahan (stats), Charlie Nastasi, Jordan Mead, Anthony Anastasio, Josh Bench, Peter Brown (team manager)

Third row: Max Atkin (umpire escort), Michael Gibbons, Reid Adams, Jake Greiser, Brett Bewley, Jake McKenzie, Stephen McCallum, Andrew Gallucci, Graeme Crocker (timekeeper)

Second row: Mitch Ferrie (runner), Tim Currie, Jake Owen, Simon Deery, Tyler Curtis, Ben Casley, Max Hayes, Anthony Pierobon (runner)

Front row: Theo Theodorou (assistant coach), Craig Byron (rotations), Jack Walker, Dylan Conway (co-captain), Brett Henderson (coach), Shaun Wyatt (co-captain), Damien Bugeja, Maurie Thurston (rotations), Trevor Monti (president)

Insets: Kirby McConnon, Dale Hoghton

The four Hall of Fame members elevated to legend status at a function in May: Ray Smith, Gerry Callahan, Barry Round & Ian Rickman (the late Ron Todd was also recognised as a legend of the Club & Max Papley was elevated in 2017 to legend status)

Williamstown FC Hall of Fame Inductees

The Williamstown Football Club held its inaugural Hall of Fame function at Crown Casino on Saturday 31st May 2014. The following 51 players, officials and volunteers were announced as the inaugural inductees to the Williamstown Football Club Hall of Fame.

TRAILBLAZERS: 1864 – 1900

4 PLAYERS

Martin Joseph “Tottie” Fitzpatrick
Versatile former Captain 1887
President, Secretary and Delegate

William Fagg “Jasper” Jones
Star player of the 1880’s and 1890’s
Centreman who was a magnificent kick
Captain 1888 – 1889

William Henry “Barkly Bill” Jones
Very prominent player of the 1880’s and 1890’s

Walter Warren
Captain 1896 – 1899 and 1901

2 OFFICIALS

Alfred Thomas Clark (1845 – 1888) – 43 years of age
President WFC 1873 – 1875 and 1882 – 1887
Only Williamstown identity to have a statue erected in his memory in Williamstown Botanic Gardens

Duncan McLeod (1856 – 1908) – 52 years of age
Credited with saving WFC in 1876
Dominant force against amalgamation
Vice President 1879
Secretary / Treasurer throughout 1870’s and 1880’s

VILLAGERS 1901 – 1950

9 PLAYERS

Jim Caldwell – played 70 games
Captain / Coach 1921 – 1922
Premiership Player 1907 and 1921
Selected on the Wing in Williamstown Team of the Century
Premiership Coach 1921

Arthur Cutting
Played 159 games / no goals
Best and Fairest 1938 and 1939
Won 1930 Recorder Cup (Liston Medal)
Premiership Player 1939 and 1945
Preferred position – Half Back Flank

Reg Harley
Played 117 games / kicked 19 goals
Best and Fairest 1946 and 1947
Premiership Player 1945 and 1954
Selected on Interchange in Williamstown Team of the Century

Gordon “Butch” Ogden
Played 56 games / kicked 1 goal
Captain / Coach 1939 – 1941
Non playing Coach 1948 – 1949
Premiership Coach 1939 and 1949

Arthur “Porky” Sykes
Played from 1926 – 1939 (125 games)
Best and Fairest 1930, 1931 and 1932
Preferred position – Half Back Flank

Ron Todd
Played 141 games / kicked 672 goals
Captain 1948 and 1949
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1949
Premiership Player 1945 and 1949
Leading competition goalkicker 1945 and 1946
Kicked 188 goals in 1945
Kicked 114 goals in 1946
Selected at Centre Half Forward in Williamstown Team of the Century

Harry “Soapy” Vallence
Played 61 games / kicked 337 goals
Premiership Player 1939
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1939, 1940 and 1941
Kicked 133 goals in 1939
Kicked 111 goals in 1940

Johnny Walker
Played 127 games / kicked 444 goals
Premiership player 1949
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953
Leading competition goalkicker 1950, 1952 and 1953
Kicked 103 goals in 1952

Colin Wilcox
Played 173 games / kicked 1 goal
Premiership player 1939, 1945 and 1949
Best and Fairest 1948
Selected on Half Back Flank in Williamstown Team of the Century

3 OFFICIALS

John James Liston (1872 – 1944)
President Williamstown FC 1923 – 1930
President of the VFA for 28 years
Legendary Administrator at Club and Competition level
VFL Competition Best and Fairest named in his honour

William “Bill” Dooley
President 1945 and 1946
Influential powerbroker and played a key role in recruiting, including Ron Todd
Generous benefactor to Williamstown Football Club

Larry Floyd
Secretary 1935 – 1939, 1945 – 1946 and 1948 – 1949
Iconic administrator and local politician
WFC Grandstand named in his honour

1951 – CURRENT

26 PLAYERS

Eric Beitzel
Played 113 games / no goals
Premiership player 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959
Selected in Back Pocket in Williamstown Team of the Century

Gerry Callahan
Played 171 games / kicked 75 goals
Premiership player and Captain 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959
Premiership Coach 1958 – 1959
Captain 1954 – 1959
Coach 1958 – 1967
Best and Fairest 1951 and 1957
Selected at Centre Half Back and named Captain in Williamstown Team of the Century

Alby Linton
Played 87 games / kicked 226 goals
Best and Fairest 1955
Premiership Player 1954, 1955 and 1956
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1954, 1955 and 1956
Leading competition goalkicker 1955
Selected as Rover in Williamstown Team of the Century

John Martin
Played 133 games / kicked 15 goals
Best and Fairest 1956 and 1958
Liston Medalist 1956
Premiership Player 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1958
Selected on Wing in Williamstown Team of the Century

Max Munday
Played 120 games / kicked 6 goals
Premiership player 1954, 1955 and 1956
Selected at Fullback in Williamstown Team of the Century

John Ramsay
Played 125 games / kicked 6 goals
Premiership player 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959
Selected in Back Pocket in Williamstown Team of the Century

Ray Smith
Played 205 games / kicked 161 goals
Premiership Player 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959
Best and fairest 1959, 1960 and 1961
Captain 1960 and 1961
Selected on Half Forward Flank in Williamstown Team of the Century

Harry Simpson
Played 75 games / kicked 82 goals
Premiership player 1954 and 1955
Best and Fairest 1954
Selected in Forward Pocket in Williamstown Team of the Century
Preferred position – Ruck

Bob Jones
Played 130 games / kicked 24 goals
Premiership player 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959
Selected on interchange in Williamstown Team of the Century
Preferred position – Ruck

Sid Wookey
Played 136 games / kicked 24 goals
Premiership Player 1954, 1955 and 1956
President 1978 – 1980 and played a key role in stabilising the club
Preferred position – Ruck

Max Papley
Played 54 games / kicked 108 goals
Coach 1968 – 1972
Captain 1968 – 1970
Premiership Player / Coach 1969
Selected in the Centre in Williamstown Team of the Century

Tom Russell
Played 200 games
Premiership player 1969
Best and Fairest 1965
Selected on Interchange in Williamstown Team of the Century
Preferred position – Full Back

Robert Percy
Played 135 games / kicked 67 goals
Premiership Player 1969 and 1976
Best and Fairest 1976
Preferred position – Half Back / Centre

Daryl Ward
Played 188 games / kicked 157 goals
Premiership Player 1959
Captain 1962 – 1966
Preferred position – Rover

John Fanning
Played 132 games / kicked 94 goals
Premiership Player 1976
Captain – Coach 1978
Best and Fairest 1974
Preferred position – Ruck

Kim Kershaw
Played 81 games / kicked 10 goals
Best and Fairest 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986
Premiership Player 1986
Selected on Interchange of Williamstown Team of the Century
Preferred position – Ruck

Ian Rickman
Played 146 games / kicked 516 goals
Premiership player 1986 and 1990
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992
Leading competition goalkicker 1989 and 1992
Kicked 125 goals in 1989
Selected on Half Forward Flank in Williamstown Team of the Century

Barry Round
Played 110 games / kicked 103 goals
Premiership Player 1986 and 1990
Best and Fairest 1987, 1988 and 1989
Liston Medalist 1987
Norm Goss Medalist 1990
Coach 1989 – 1993
Captain 1989 – 1991
Selected as 1st Ruck in Williamstown Team of the Century

Brett McTaggart
Played 184 games / kicked 66 goals
Premiership player 1986 and 1990
Liston Medalist 1988
Captain 1992 – 1993
Selected on Half Back Flank in Williamstown Team of the Century

Mark Fotheringham
Played 101 games / kicked 571 goals
Premiership player 1986
Best and Fairest 1982
Leading goal kicker at WFC 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987
Leading competition goalkicker 1983 and 1984
Kicked century of goals 1983, 1984 and 1985
Selected at Full Forward in Williamstown Team of the Century

Tony Pastore
Played 189 games / kicked 150 goals
Premiership player 1986 and 1990
Norm Goss Medallist 1986
Captain 1994 – 1997
Selected on Interchange in Williamstown Team of the Century

Terry Wheeler
Played 94 games / kicked 7 goals
Captain Coach 1984 – 1988
Premiership Captain – Coach 1986
Preferred position – Half Back Flank

Saade Ghazi
Played 204 games / kicked 291 goals
Best and Fairest 1997
Liston Medalist 1989
Captain 1998 – 1999
Leading goalkicker @ WFC 1991 and 1993
Selected in Forward Pocket in Williamstown Team of the Century
Preferred position – Rover

Troy West
Played 208 games / kicked 9 goals
Captain 2000 – 2004
Premiership Player and Co-Captain 2003
Preferred position – Full Back

Brad Lloyd
Played 167 games / kicked 129 goals
Premiership Co-Captain and Player 2003
Captain 2003 – 2006
State Captain 2004
Best and Fairest 2000, 2001 and 2004
Preferred position – On Ball

Brett Johnson
Played 124 games / 77 goals
Captain 2007 – 2011
Best and Fairest 2008 and 2010
Runner up of the Liston Trophy 2006 and 2008
State Captain 2008 and 2010
Preferred position – On Ball

7 OFFICIALS / VOLUNTEERS

Wally Carter
Coach 1954 – 1957
Premiership Coach 1954, 1955, 1956
91 games – 76 wins, 15 losses, winning rate 83.5%
Selected as Coach of Williamstown Team of the Century

Janet Dooley
Begun volunteer work in the canteen in 1953 and has continued service to present day
Has managed the canteen for many decades.
Has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout this period
Ladies Secretary 1973 – 1988
Recipient of AFL Victoria Alec Gillon Award 2011

Tony Hannebery
Played 43 games / kicked 8 goals
President for 10 years – 1983 till 1992
Dynamic leader who was instrumental in the clubs successful era of mid 1980’s to early 1990’s
Returned as Board Member 1995 to 1999 after stint as VFA President

Trevor Monti
Longest serving President – 1999 to current (16 years)
Played a key role in the $9.1 million redevelopment at Burbank Oval
Has been a key leader and influential voice representing WFC at both league level and within key governing bodies
Has been influential in ensuring WFC has prospered on and off the field during his Presidency

Brendan Curry
Longest serving General Manager / CEO – 1996 to current (19 years)
Played a key role in reversing the financial position of WFC and improving its on field performances
Instrumental in huge improvement to facilities at Point Gellibrand Oval
Overseen the growth of WFC and the strategic planning / goals over 19 years
Managed WFC through AFL alignments and decision to revert to a stand-alone entity

Kelly Brent
Legendary trainer who began his association with the Club in 1959
Head trainer for over 35 years and a much loved and respected figure
Developed tremendous bond with many generations of players, coaches and staff

Bob Major
Begun involvement with WFC as St Johns Ambulance volunteer and graduated to Head Trainer
Highly respected and much loved figure at both Williamstown Football and Cricket Clubs
Long time Treasurer and Committee person

Reg Harley in later years, passed away in February 2014.

Reg Harley during his years at South Melbourne 1948-52

Triple premiership player (1954/55/56), Sid Wookey, pictured on the left here in 2010 with fellow premiership players, Tom Russell (1969) and Ray Smith (1954/55/56/58/59), passed away on September 8, 2014.