Williamstown best and fairests Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters tipped to head bush
The Seagulls expect to go into 2020 without their 150-game players, who for weeks have been linked with Ovens and Murray club Yarrawonga.
Victorian Football
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VFL 2019 grand finalist Williamstown is bracing for the loss of two more of its most experienced and accomplished players.
The Seagulls have already announced the departures of ace forward Sam Dunell and champion ruckman Nick Meese.
Former AFL player Ben Kennedy has also waved his goodbyes.
Now the Towners fear they will lose best and fairest players Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters.
For weeks the pair has been linked with Yarrawonga and the Towners are approaching their recruiting on the basis they will be without the VFL stalwarts next year.
Wheeler’s brother Harry plays with Yarrawonga and has won its past two best and fairests.
Willie lists Yarrawonga as his home club.
Wheeler and Masters began their VFL careers at Coburg, crossed to Williamstown, earned life membership and achieved the 150-game mark.
Wheeler (162 matches) won the best and fairest in 2017 (he was also Coburg’c club champion in 2012) and the versatile Masters (155 matches) claimed it this year.
Both were also VFL team-of-the-year selections during their fine careers.
The Seagulls will also be without 2019 grand final player Jason Pongracic, who is going overseas next year for work and travel.
Experienced defender Oliver Tate is also tipped to leave.
Although Williamstown has yet to make announcements about its recruits, it’s understood it has gained commitments from Box Hill Hawks’ former WAFL star Luke Meadows, Frankston small forward Corey Rich and Geelong co-captain James Tsitas.
It is also being linked with delisted 200cm Adelaide Crows ruckman Paul Hunter, a good performer in the SANFL this year, and South Adelaide midfielder Mark Noble.
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In other VFL news:
Former AFL ruckman Matt Lobbe, 30, is expected to play in the VFL next year, with Werribee and Coburg believed to be his keenest suitors. The Bees are also in the running for Richmond VFL dasher Sean Mannagh.
Casey Demons are keen on delisted West Coast Eagle Kurt Mutimer, who came out of the Dandenong Stingrays. Mutimer also has interest from AFL clubs.
Former Richmond and Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz has joined Frankston as an assistant coach. But the Dolphins are resigned to losing utility Goy Lok to Sandringham.