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Goodbye Williamstown

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Tess	Posted: Sep 16 2007, 09:04 AM Quote
TMN Senior Player Group: Members Posts: 63 Member No.: 9 Joined: 11-December 04	In the Hun today Magpies ditch Seagulls alliance 16 September 2007 Sunday Herald Sun Jon Ralph COLLINGWOOD'S seven-year association with Williamstown has come to an end, with the Magpies to form a stand-alone VFL side next year. It is likely the Western Bulldogs will swoop in quickly and forge a new partnership with the Seagulls after difficulties this year with Werribee, their VFL-aligned partner. Williamstown general manager Brendan Curry yesterday confirmed the Pies had decided to follow Geelong's lead and fund a VFL side where they can dictate exactly when and where players take the field. "Collingwood have advised us they will stand alone next year and we accept that," Curry said. "They have been up front and straight with us all the way through, so there's no angst or anger. "They want total control and, with their recruiting and player development, they don't want to compromise anything." "We believe they made the decision with a heavy heart because the alignment has been terrific." The Pies will take their place in what could be a significantly reshaped VFL competition next year, with Sydney believed be interested in re-entering the VFL, five years after it ended its partnership with Port Melbourne. Sydney's seconds side demolishes all comers in Canberra's AFL league, which is hardly a competitive environment to develop players for the game's elite level. Meanwhile, Carlton will soon sign a new five-year agreement with the Northern Bullants after its VFL partner agreed to play five home games a year at Princes Park. The Blues had been keen to forge a stand-alone VFL side mid-season but, after recent meetings with the Bullants, have indicated they are happy to continue the partnership. Carlton appoints the Bullants coach, so it can regulate how Blues players are used in the VFL. Carlton assistant Barry Mitchell led the Bullants last year, but the VFL club is unsure if he will stay on next year with the Blues. The clubs have agreed on a split that sees four games played at Preston's Cramer St Oval and the rest at Carlton's base. Bullants general manager Garry O'Sullivan said the VFL club would have needed $400,000 a year extra to exist as a stand-alone side. "We took it the members a week ago and we wanted to make sure we kept them in the loop," O'Sullivan said. "They accepted the board's recommendation. The alternatives viability-wise weren't great."

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