THE hoodoo is over. Williamstown CYMS has claimed a rare victory on Whitefriars’ soil in Victorian Amateur Football Association division 1.
The CYs dismal run at Whitefriars College Oval appeared set to
continue when the home side led by 15 points midway through the last
quarter on Saturday, but they produced a stunning comeback in time-on to
record a 15-point win of their own.
CYs coach Mathew Montebello said Whitefriars at Whitefriars was
the final frontier for his players in proving they are capable of
beating anyone, anywhere.
“The question marks were, can we travel and can we win games when we’re really put under the pump?” he said.
“A win like that gives the players some real self-belief.
“To beat Whitefriars there, it was almost the last box we wanted
to tick for the season, other than our finals campaign. It tells the
group, if we play like this and we commit like this, then this is the
result.”
When the game was on the line, CYs turned to their captain, Ben Gray, for inspiration.
Gray has a knack of leaving his fingerprints all over the outcomes of the games that matter.
“He put on his Superman cape again,” Montebello said.
“Every time there’s been a massive game, he seems to put his hand up and go, ‘C’mon boys, we’re going this way’. He took three big hangers.”
A potent CYs forward line was spearheaded by nine goals to Josh Vanderloo and four to Zachary Read.
Fin Adamson put his body on the line for his team, while Nick Walsh, Steven Puhar and Jack Gray were among the best.
The CYs know victory over winless Glen Eira on Saturday will seal a double chance in the finals.
