Williamstown CYMS has been given no wriggle room as its closest rival on the ladder, North Old Boys St Patrick’s, has incessantly tried to rip the Victorian Amateur Football Association division 1 double chance out of
its clutches.
But the CYs have met every challenge, including a surprisingly cruisy 121-point win over Prahran Assumption at Fearon Reserve on Saturday. Still, the nagging equation remains the same, as they must win once more to brush off the pestering Old Boys once and for all.
Victory over Bulleen-Templestowe in the final home-and-away game at Ted Ajani Reserve on Saturday will secure second for CYs.
“You know what they say about pressure, it makes diamonds,” CYs coach Mathew Montebello said.
“That constant pressure of making sure we don’t falter will leave us in good stead come finals. We’ve won ugly, we’ve won well, we’ve just keep on winning.”
The CYs made it three wins in a row with the drubbing of Prahran Assumption. It was the CYs’ most complete performance of the year, underlined by a 14-goal first half.
Their kicking for goal was immaculate – they had 21.2 at three-quarter time before some late misses.
“The boys just put the foot down and kept going,” Montebello said.
“It’s a good thing going into finals because it’s something we haven’t really done much this year … put away a quality opposition when we smelled blood in the water.”
A week earlier, Montebello lauded the lesser lights for standing up in the win over Yarra Valley. But he put it on the big guns to stamp their authority ahead of the finals.
Luke Molan answered the call with eight goals in a best-on-ground performance.
There was also a lift from Ben Gray, Nic Holdsworth and Steven Puhar, while Fin Adamson continued his purple patch. “I put it on a few of our leaders to step up,” Montebello said.
“They would’ve been close to our top five best.”
The eye catcher was Jack Gray, who finished with five goals, his elite skills and deceptive pace causing headaches for the opposition.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a kid that’s able to kick a footy the way he kicks it,” Montebello said.
“With ball in hand, he rarely makes a mistake and his ability to kick the ball 50 metres long, sitting 15 metres above the ground, is phenomenal.’’
