Losing the VFL preliminary final last season was a bitter pill for Brad Gotch to swallow. Now, with this year's new alignment between the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs and Williamstown proving successful, he says there is plenty to be excited about as September approaches.

Gotch, who works as Development Manager at the Bulldogs with the first to third year players and as coach at Williamstown, believes the young Bulldogs players can help determine the latter’s VFL chances this season.

“You’d like to think that when you get into a position like where Williamstown are at the moment (second in the seniors and reserves) that you’d be a genuine threat,” he said.

“I believe that the development squad players from the Bulldogs can have a big influence towards that. Guy O’Keefe and Callan Ward are two players that are very important to the senior structure at Williamstown. John Shaw and Jarrad Boumann could provide us with extra height. Easton Wood and Brannan Stack are both athletic and can provide a bit of an X factor.”

It’s a win win situation according to Gotch who believes success at Williamstown has had an impact on the development squad at Whitten Oval.

“Winning certainly makes things easier. The players want to get more involved and in a way get they dragged along by the momentum that builds with each victory.”

“It will be good for the young players to be involved in finals football too. It will be beneficial for their progress because it’s a different atmosphere and there is a lot more pressure.”

Central to the successful relationship between the Western Bulldogs and Williamstown this year has been the way the players have embraced the alignment.

“The development squad enjoy going down there and the VFL players enjoy them being part of the set up.”

“At the start of the season I said to the boys if they put in down there, then they’ll get the reciprocal from the VFL boys. That way we’ve built a team environment for the Bulldogs players who are playing at Williamstown.”

“We’re trying to play similar to what the Bulldogs do – you’re mates and you play for each other. By developing a successful culture if they make it to the elite level then it’s not going to be as big of a jump for them.”

A willingness to learn more about their own game and feed off senior players at the Bulldogs and Williamstown is something that has impressed Gotch this year.

“If you come in here on a Monday morning development players are in and out of here like a revolving door. They’re lining up and checking the notes that are up outside my office. They want to get feedback and they’re planning their week out because they want to be more professional,” he said.

“Out of the whole list only two guys, John Shaw and James Mulligan, haven’t played senior football for Williamstown this year. Callan Ward has played senior football for the Bulldogs. Guy O’Keefe has played every game in the VFL seniors. Easton Wood, Henry White, Jarrad Boumann and Sam Reid have all worked their way in through good performances in the reserves,” he said.

“The whole group has got better as the year has gone on and that has been very pleasing from my point of view.”