Williamstown goalsneak Andrew Gallucci completes rapid rise in the VFL

WILLIAMSTOWN football manager Chris Dixon says he was not shocked by Andrew Gallucci’s swift ascension from back-up player to key contributor .

Sandringham v Williamstown

WILLIAMSTOWN football manager Chris Dixon says the VFL premier was not shocked by Andrew Gallucci’s swift ascension from back-up player to key contributor throughout 2015.

The small forward’s unquestionable consistency was a feature of his season.

Gallucci, who stands 178cm, managed one senior game in his first two years at Burbank Oval.

This season, on the back of hard labour, he developed into one of the competition’s most lethal goalsneaks and returned 29 goals from 19 games.

The 21-year-old bagged two majors or more on 10 occasions as Williamstown powered its way to the flag.

Gallucci’s rise was rewarded with an invite to the AFL state combine where he returned a 14.1 beep test, which was the best of the seven VFL players who were given the opportunity to test under the watchful eye of recruiters.

“He came in and produced week in and week out,” Dixon said.

“Especially as the year went on, he started to get a lot more attention. Really pleased with the way he was able to deal with that.

“It’s a credit to him the way he was able to come in and play. We knew he had it in him, but I guess we were surprised how quickly he exploded.”

Gallucci was one of seven Seagulls named in the VFL Team of the Year and his impact stretched beyond the scoreboard.

He impressed with his fanatical pressure and also spent time on a wing during the season.

“With his kicking ability and his speed, he certainly presents a few options,” Dixon said.

“I think that was probably the natural progression in his game as well.

“As the year went on, he did work higher up the ground and got more involved.

“If he was to go into an AFL system, it would probably predominately be that small forward role.”

Adam Marcon is also in contention for a spot at the elite level after another eye-catching season.

The 23-year-old was named in his team’s best nine times from 19 matches and was awarded the Fothergill-Round Medal for the most promising young talent in the VFL.

Marcon is also best mates with Kane Lambert, who secured a spot on Richmond’s list this year after one season at Williamstown.

Dixon said the midfielder would “thrive” in the AFL system

“I think his body of work over the last two years just needs to be recognised,” he said of Marcon.

“He has been extremely consistent. He has probably had a better year in total than what Kane Lambert did, for example, last year without having that standout final that Kane obviously did against Werribee last year.

“We’re hoping clubs see what someone like a Lambert does when they get the opportunity.

“Those two are being compared for obvious reasons, but we’re hoping what Kane has done for Richmond can only frank the form of Adam and other VFL prospects.”

Versatile tall Sam Dunell , delisted by St Kilda after 12 games in three seasons at the end of 2014, should also be hopeful of an AFL lifeline.

The 25-year-old booted 41 goals for the campaign and finished equal second in the JJ Liston Trophy, Dixon labelling Dunell’s performances as “phenomenal”.

“He is a really unique type of player in terms of his attributes. He’s certainly on the radar of a few clubs,” he said.

“I think he’d be a very handy acquisition as a character, let alone a player, to any AFL club.”

Dixon said midfielder Michael Gibbons, who was best afield in Williamstown’s grand final triumph, and defender Tim Currie had also attracted interest.

The national draft will be staged on Tuesday, while the pre-season and rookie drafts will be held three days later.

Originally published as Williamstown goalsneak Andrew Gallucci completes rapid rise in the VFL