SEAGULLS are planning to flock in force for North Ballarat Roosters’ game.
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Williamstown is coming and that means a strong Seagull crowd that is up and about a fortnight out from Victorian Football League finals.
The Seagulls are hungry to nab a top-two spot.
The Selkirk Roosters, fifth, need to win to ensure they stay in the finals.
This season is a new chapter for the Williamstown Football Club, going standalone once more in its 150th anniversary year.
It is a different model to the one the Roosters fended off last week – AFL club Geelong’s VFL extension – but will be just as fierce and tough to beat.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said this fortnight highlights the great diversity of the competition.
“Different teams, different types of clubs and different playing conditions – it’s one reason I am so proud of this high-quality competition,” FitzGerald said.
“There is a hot race to try and secure finals spots. The challenge goes on for us. We’re bringing good form into the game.
“To beat Williamstown means we’re playing finals and shows potentially how deep we could go in finals.”
Coleman Schache and Chris Giampaolo have been promoted to the Roosters on good form – Schache in the Mallee and Giampaolo in the Ballarat football leagues.
FitzGerald said the Roosters have been mindful of managing a six-day break between VFL matches.
So too, are the Seagulls.
Williamstown football manager Chris Dixon told Seagulls TV that the club was bracing for a tough contest in what would be the Seagulls first hit-out against a fellow top-eight team in about six weeks.
They should be firing.
FitzGerald said the Roosters destiny was in its own hands.
Confidence and belief is strong in the Roosters’ playing group after four consecutive wins.
This is the first time the Roosters meet Williamstown, one of their longest and fiercest rivals, this season.
Port Melbourne at North Port Oval lies ahead in the final round.