Williamstown has suffered a blow with two of its biggest names calling time on their Victorian Football League career.
Leading goalkicker Brodie McLaughlin and ruck Tom Downie are both departing the club after playing key roles for a number of years.
After hinting his future may be up in the air at the recent VFL awards night, Williamstown announced that the club and McLaughlin had mutually agreed to part ways.
McLaughlin capped off the season with 71 goals, including finals, to claim his second Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal.
The 27-year-old also finished third in the club’s best and fairest count on Thursday evening.
Yet, the decision was reached in the best interests of both parties, with McLaughlin seeking to step away from VFL football and explore opportunities at other levels as he enters the next chapter of his career.
“This year has been the most fun year I’ve played to date,” McLaughlin said on the Seagulls website.
“I want to pass on how grateful I am to the Williamstown Football Club as a whole. I’m proud to have represented Williamstown – it’s one of the proudest clubs out there.”
The club reciprocates its thanks to McLaughlin for his contribution on and off the field during his time at DSV Stadium.
“His commitment, effort, and professionalism have been greatly valued by teammates, coaches, and supporters alike,” the club said.
“Williamstown wishes Brodie every success in his future endeavours and reaffirms that he will always be warmly welcomed by the club.”
Downie is one of the club’s longest serving players over the past 10 years, playing 80 games in five seasons.
He played nine AFL games before stepping away from football to deal with some mental health concerns.
After returning to local football in 2019, he joined Williamstown in 2021 and has been a key piece of the puzzle since.
He became one of the VFL’s best rucks in his time at the Seagulls.
Williamstown coach Justin Plapp commended Downie’s character.
“Tom is the kind of player you can build a team around — dependable, consistent, and the one you trust when the game was on the line,” he said on the Seagulls website.
“We were privileged to watch his journey from GWS to becoming the Seagull he is today, and we wish him nothing but the very best for the next chapter of his life.”
The club has also announced the departures of Oscar Sasalu and Nathan Jensen.
Sasalu played four games across two seasons for the Seagulls.
Jensen joined Williamstown this year but didn’t play a game with a knee injury ending season early.
