Williamstown CYMS players can hold their heads up high despite a 29-point loss to Peninsula Old Boys in VAFA premier C at Fearon Reserve on Saturday.
The CYs stayed competitive deep into the game, but were eventually broken down by a superior side with premiership ambitions.
CYs coach Mathew Montebello told Star Weekly there was no disgrace in going down to a better side.
“We know that they’re a top-three side and wanted to make sure we had a fair dinkum crack at them,” he said. “At the moment, they’re just a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger than us. We sort of fell away towards the end and missed some of our key players who are out at the moment.
“I was proud of the players to keep it going for the four quarters.”
Williamstown CYMS has been doing it tough since the passing of coaching co-ordinator Ben Kelly, who worked both with CYs and Williamstown Juniors. Kelly was a senior assistant coach at CYs in 2014, but worked more in the development side in the past two seasons.
“It’s been tough, but like most footy clubs, they [the players] stick together,,” Montebello said. “He’s been a big part of the footy club. The week that it happened, the boys played with their hearts on their sleeve and came out against Oakleigh and gave them a shock.
“I was very proud as a coach that day.”
Kelly would have been smiling on Saturday as young half-back/wingman Kallan Dawson produced another impressive game.
At just 17, Dawson has been a revelation for CYs.
“He’s still learning the game, but he’s got star written all over him,” Montebello said.
“He’s an outstanding kid and he’s realising it at senior level.
“He just tucks the ball under his arm and goes.
“He is so quick and agile and has a huge future ahead of him.”
Jack Johnson, the CYs under-19 captain, is another youngster to shine.
Johnson has also been part of the development program.
“That was the aim – to get kids like Kal and Jack to become senior footballers,” Montebello said.
Nic Holdsworth did everything in his powers to give CYs a shot at pulling off an upset. It was to no avail, but did his own standing within the club no harm.
“He just works his absolute butt off,” Montebello said. “Rarely does he walk off the field not absolutely wrecked.”
Nick Blackney and Aidan Quinn booted three goals apiece for CYs, while Tim Ball added two.
The CYs, fifth on the ladder, have a week off before their biggest game of the season so far – against fourth-placed Old Ivanhoe Grammarians at Fearon Reserve on July 16.
