WILLIAMSTOWN Seagulls and the Western Bulldogs are on the verge of agreeing to a three-year extension to their alignment.
Seagulls general manager Brendan Curry has declared that the current arrangement is "extremely strong".
He told the Mail that the football departments at both clubs had agreed to maintain the status quo, with only "minor" boardroom talks in store before a contract is signed.
"It's pretty much a fait accompli," Curry said. "It's the natural alignment for both clubs."
The new deal would mean the Seagulls are the AFL club's feeder team in the Victorian Football League until the end of the 2013 season. Over the past two seasons, the Seagulls-Bulldogs alignment has proved a successful link with the recruitment of Liam Picken and Patrick Rose to the AFL playing list.
The Seagulls have also funded three rookies to the tune of $20,000 each, including the NAB Cup young gun Brodie Moles.
It has been a summer of change in the Seagulls nest as they strive to take the next step and feature in the VFL grand final. Under Brad Gotch, the Seagulls lost three consecutive preliminary finals before last year's straight sets finals exit.
In a virtual swap, Gotch has moved to the Casey Scorpions with VFL coach of the year Peter German landing at Burbank Oval to chase that elusive 'sweet 16' flag.
"The job he was able to do at Casey when he was getting sides up to win when they're not supposed to win was what impressed me the most," Curry said. "He was able to rally those blokes.
What excites him most is the alignment with the Western Bulldogs.
"Also, being a historian, he likes that it's a club with a lot of history and he's taking over at a time where we're craving success."
Senior captain Brett Johnson is the stable figure of the Seagulls' leadership group. The former Hawthorn and Carlton onballer is desperate to go one better.
"What drives him is to be captain of Williamstown's next premiership side," said Curry, who is thrilled with his recruits for 2010.
Heading the list and progressing straight into the leadership group is key-position player Peter Faulks.
He also came via the Scorpions after a two-year stint with the Sydney Swans.
Another to impress on the training track is midfielder Tom German, a former rookie-listed player with Essendon.
Curry is sure the new batch of young former TAC Cup players is the best assembled at Morris Street for some time.
"Our emphasis was to get as many good kids from the TAC Cup as we can," he said.
"You want to attract the best kids who endeavour to play at a higher level.
"I think it's the most talented batch of young players we've had in a long time."
The Seagulls open their 2010 season against Collingwood at Victoria Park on April 10.
Email a friend