A WEEK is a long time in football – as Williamstown CYMS proved with two vastly different results in Victorian Amateur Football Association division 1.
The CYs created doubts about their finals credentials with a 95-point thrashing at the hands of Ormond in round 12, but that result had a lot to do with seven first-team regulars missing.
With those players back in the fold, a full-strength CYs side showed what it is capable of with a stunning 14-point win over undefeated Hampton Rovers at Fearon Reserve on a soggy Saturday.
“It was probably one of the strongest teams we’ve been able to field all year,” CYs coach Mathew Montebello said. “The boys being primed to redeem from the previous week was also a big factor.
“When we’re all fully fit and have our best team to choose from, I consider us a contender. We’ve still got a long way to go to prove that.”
At times, the game resembled a rugby maul due to the sty-like conditions. The teams had to simplify their playing styles and attempt to gain territory with every kick. The CYs, familiar with the smaller dimensions of the ground, did just that, while the Rovers took a while to adjust.
“It was definitely always about trying to move the ball forward and not muck around with it,” Montebello said.
He said the Rovers tried to use similar tactics to those suitable for the open spaces of their home ground.
“They obviously tried not to over-use the ball, but they still looked for the space out wide,” he said. “They tried to take it out the way it came in.”
The CYs recorded a massive 167 tackles – up from the 90 they usually register on a good day.
“Our stats were off the charts,” Montebello said.
Ruckman Steven Puhar led the way for CYs with 15 defensive pressure acts on his birthday.
Jason Bencich, Matt Carland, John Gallivan and Jack Gray were huge defensively.
Unsurprisingly, goals were scarce, with CYs requiring only three goalkickers – two each to Ben Gray, Ross Cassidy and Josh Vanderloo – to win the game six goals to four.
Second-placed CYs will be hot favourites against third-last Old Geelong away at Como Park on Saturday.
