In an audacious raid, Williamstown has landed the prize catch of the day out of the clutches of the Casey Scorpions.

A 185-game star for North Melbourne from 1984-94, German has been an assistant coach at AFL clubs Hawthorn, West Coast and Fremantle.

'Germo' has certainly got the runs on the board.

He has enjoyed premiership success as a coach at Burnie in Tasmania and Subiaco in Western Australia.

Club general manager Brendan Curry can't contain his delight at snapping up German, who was left disenchanted after performing superbly as coach of the Scorpions this year.

"The Williamstown Football Club is ecstatic," he said.

"We're very happy to get our man."

German has also been appointed development manager of AFL affiliate, the Western Bulldogs.

He replaces Brad Gotch, who served as coach of the Seagulls for eight years.

His stint was highlighted by the 2003 premiership.

The sight of Gotch lifting the premiership cup aloft with co-captains Brad Lloyd and Troy West on the presentation dias after the win over the Box Hill Hawks was a beauty for anyone with a bit of blue and gold in their hearts.

Gotch will land on his feet. The Coburg Tigers are believed to keen to sign him, with SANFL club South Adelaide also expressing interest.

Gotch's time was up after Williamstown crashed out of the premiership race in 'straight sets' after finishing in second spot after the home-and-away games.

The Seagulls were hell-bent on winning the flag after three successive preliminary final losses, but were left to pick up the pieces after suffering shock losses to the Northern Bullants in a qualifying final at Burbank Oval and Collingwood in a cut-throat semi-final.

Athletic ruckman Wayde Skipper is the favourite to win the prestigious Gerry Callahan Medal (best and fairest award).

The votes will be counted at the Yarraville Club tonight (Wednesday). Other leading fancies are Guy O'Keefe, Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley and Ben Davies.

Under-18 TAC Cup affiliate, the Western Jets, have appointed Footscray/Western Bulldogs legend Tony Liberatore as an assistant coach.

The 1990 Brownlow Medal winner is expected to prove an excellent right-hand man to coach Steven Kretiuk.

'Libba' endured a difficult season as coach of West Footscray in the Western Region Football League's division 1 competition in '09.

The Roosters collected the wooden spoon after winning just one game.