The 2008 season has begun well for both the Western Bulldogs and new VFL partner Williamstown but both sides are determined to show consistency of form going into this weekend.

 

After the Western Bulldogs take on St Kilda on Friday night at Telstra Dome, Williamstown will match up against Collingwood in a live televised game at Burbank Oval on Saturday.

 

Williamstown coach and Bulldogs Development Manager Brad Gotch said the unity between the Williamstown players and the Western Bulldogs Development Group was vital to success this season.

 

“Williamstown has got a good core of eight to ten players that are pretty good players, like Jason Cloke, Brett Johnson, types that have played AFL football. The Bulldogs players feel that it is a good mix and are looking forward to going down and playing with them, so that’s a positive.

 

This is the first year the Western Bulldogs playing group involved in the VFL have had a full time coach based on site all week.

 

“They (Bulldogs players) said it’s a bit different than last year because the messages and the game plan are a little bit more consistent,” Gotch said.

 

“I’m not surprised with the way they have settled in, I think they are really enjoying it. It’s a consistent approach for them; I see them almost every day of the week. Simon (Dalrymple) and I sit down with the development group and discuss ways which we can improve them for the next week.”

 

These younger guys can learn a lot from Brett Johnson and other senior players at Williamstown. Their great characters, likeable, experienced and they are great leaders. They direct and teach very well and they know it’s not all about them. They understand that it’s about how well they lead. They’re prepared to step back a bit to give others opportunities where needed and then they’ll take the reigns when needed the other way. They really do have a good understanding of what their role is,” he said.

 

Western Bulldogs President David Smorgon said the partnership really was fantastic for both clubs and as expected it was already providing the opportunity for the Western Bulldogs to advance its player development while assisting the Williamstown Football to continue to challenge for the flag in the VFL.

 

“This partnership holds many benefits for our club from the obvious football aspect with player development through to establishing another strong community alignment within the west of Melbourne,” he said.

 

“Williamstown Football Club and the Western Bulldogs are both community minded clubs and it is exciting to see the clubs re-join as partners.”