There has been a real lack of drama about Williamstown CYMS’ results to date.
Neither staking a claim for a finals berth or threatened by relegation, the CYs appear to be heading for an unspectacular mid-table finish in the Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier C.
There should be no complaints about that coming out of Fearon Reserve.
It should be seen as a step forward for a young and developing CYs side in only its second year in the division.
They have found their place in the middle of the ladder in a tough competition, beating up on sides below them one week, troubled by those in the top half the next.
CYs coach Mathew Montebello demands more from his team, but even he can see the steady improvement over the first half of the season.
“If you gauge where we are compared to last year, we’ve improved to this point,” he told Star Weekly.
“That doesn’t mean we’re happy where we’re sitting but it’s all about progress when you’ve moved up a grade and we’re trying to focus on that.
“If 4-5 is our first half of the year, we’re expecting a better return in the second half.”
With one game to go before the season’s mid-point, the CYs have a chance to square their win-loss ledger with a win over seventh-placed Oakleigh at home on Saturday.
It would be a massive psychological boost for the CYs players if they went to the halfway mark in the top half of the ladder, even if they are still a fair way detached from the top four.
“It’s a pretty important game for us,” Montebello said. “We want to make sure we’re staying up with the top tier.
“We know [fifth-placed] Kew have a tough game, so it could be an opportunity for us to get back up over them because at the moment they’re above us only on percentage.”
The most exciting part about the CYs season is its promising youngsters.
Eight first-gamers have been rolled out in just nine games and a number of inexperienced players have taken giant leaps forward.
The CYs will not inhibit their future for instant success.
“The big thing for us this year, in conjunction with the under-19s coach, is five or six of those under-19 boys who have shown some promise,” Montebello said.
“Let’s see if we can get two, three or four senior games in them, so when they hit under-19 finals he has a good group.
“Also, from a senior development perspective, we have kids who have been exposed to that next step up.”
The most impressive of the CYs youngsters so far has been ruckman Tommy Gill, who has thrived under the tutelage of Steven Puhar.
“Puhey’s done a great job of mentoring Tommy,” Montebello said.
“Tommy’s six foot four (193cm) and athletic. As a kid he was only small, but now has small-man skills in a bigger frame.
“His work has been phenomenal; he’s taking a lot of marks around the ground.
“Seeing him develop – this is only his second year of senior footy – has been fantastic.”
Other youngsters to shine include Russell Ackerly, the son of South Melbourne and North Melbourne AFL star David, who has “gone to another level” in the midfield, Sam Callard, dependable in defence, and Kallan Dawson, a speedy 17-year-old.
