Williamstown has retained the bulk of the playing list that swooped on a VFL and AFL Victoria development league premiership double last season.
The Seagulls have re-signed 40 players, an unprecedented number of retentions for the club, according to football manager Chris Dixon. Only seven won’t be returning.
“We’re delighted to have over 70 per cent of our list recommit to the club for the next year with many players on multi-year deals,” he said.
“We’re waiting for some players to return from holidays before we finalise our list so we’d expect this number to increase in the next two weeks. It’s our largest retention rate in a long time and testament to the players’ commitment to achieve continued success here.”
The Seagulls have sifted through the local ranks for their new additions and have strengthened their relationship with TAC Cup club Western Jets with the signings of Brayden Monk, Mitch Norton, Liam Carter and Lachlan Knight. They have also rewarded talented Williamstown CYMS youngster Nick Ebinger with a contract.
“It’s important we continue to invest in our development pathway as a club and it was so pleasing to see five players progress from the 2014 development league grand final to the 2015 senior grand final,” Dixon said.
The biggest name to depart the Seagulls is premiership star Scott Clouston, who decided to retire from the VFL, despite having second thoughts after playing an important role on the forward line in the Seagulls’ grand final win over Box Hill Hawks. Other players to leave the nest include Josh Bench, Jack Walker, Ben Casley, Matt Merlo, Isaiah Miller and Michael Locco.
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