By Tara Murray
The itch to play at a high level was still there for Williamstown recruit Phoebe McWilliams.
After playing more than 50 AFLW games with Greater Western Sydney, Geelong and Carlton, the key forward hung up the boots at the end of the 2023 season.
She played local football in the Western Football League women’s competition this year as she kept the legs ticking over.
With the body feeling good, McWilliams felt she could still play at a high level and a conversation led her to the Seagulls.
She has now signed with the club for next year’s Victorian Football League Women’s season.
McWilliams said she was excited to have the opportunity to still play in the VFLW.
“When I retired from Carlton, I had a pretty bad achilles injury at the end of that season,” she said.
“When I recovered, my friend was coaching Yarraville-Seddon and I went down there and had a lot of fun.
“I decided at the end of that season that I wanted to have a crack at something a little more serious, at a higher standard.
“I got in touch with Willy and chatted with Liam [Cavanagh] and then it all happened.”
McWilliams said she loved playing at Yarraville-Seddon under her old teammate and Eagles coach Emily Fox, but she felt she had to make the most of her opportunities when she still could.
She said one of the main things that attracted her to the Seagulls was that it was a standalone club.
“I had a good chat with Liam when I was thinking about playing VFLW,” she said. “They are a great team and their main focus is just on VFLW.
“There is no AFL team at the club there, the VFLW program is the highest priority for them.
“They have a really good list and were after another key forward to complement the list.”
McWilliams will juggle her playing commitments around coaching commitments with the Sandringham Dragons.
She is an assistant coach with the under-18 girls program. It’s meant she’s doing the early part of pre-season by herself.
McWilliams said she would look to bring her different elements of experience to the Seagulls.
The Seagulls claimed the minor premiership this year before falling short in the preliminary final.
“With my coaching as well, I can bring my three qualities together and be able to help Williamstown,” she said.
“I’m an experienced player and can work with the younger kids. I’m excited about it.”
