Garrett Spinks, William Kliszewski shine in Districts and Eagles draw

Two of the WFNL’s most promising forwards impressed in a thrilling draw between Werribee Districts and Yarraville Seddon. Here’s how both coaches reacted and the lessons learnt.

Yarraville Seddon and Werribee Districts played out a thrilling draw. Photo: John Heron/Yarraville Seddon FB.

Werribee Districts and Yarraville Seddon finished level on Saturday and it’s fair to say they’ve got a similar level of young talent to be excited about.

A goal on the siren from Eagles gun Josh Helliwell ensured the Western Football Netball League division one contenders finished level on 10.12 (72).

For reigning premier Districts, it was their second draw in three weeks.

While the result proved the Eagles are well and truly in the premiership mix this year, there were performances on both sides which proved both clubs also have big futures.

In just his second game of the season, Garrett Spinks bobbed up with three goals for Werribee to showcase his talents.

At the other end, William Kliszewski kicked three to take his season tally to 14.

Werribee Districts coach Chris Gilham said he was impressed with Spinks’ performance.

“He made his debut last season and we had been looking to get him in earlier but he was away,” Gilham said.

“He’s like a few other guys at the moment who are getting their opportunities to play senior footy through injuries and guys going away. There’s some really good signs for us.

“It’s fantastic for us as a club to be giving younger guys the exposure at the level.”

Yarraville would have been the happier of the two sides. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Eagles coach Brad Julier was equal in his praise of Kliszewski who is still eligible for under-18 footy.

Kliszewski was given the option to spend this season as a 19-year-old with the Western Jets but elected to stay with his local footy.

“A real talent,” Julier said.

“He’s got a lot of exciting footy ahead of him to look forward to.”

The Eagles came from 20 points down at three-quarter-time to grab a share of the points and maintain third place on the ladder.

Julier credited the performance of Michael Selsby as a key factor in his side’s comeback.

“He was terrific,” he said.

“There was an eight-minute patch where he dragged us back into the game and everyone else followed. We didn’t change much at three-quarter-time, there were more changes at halftime.

“The third quarter was a real arm wrestle. The experience of another close game is only going to hold us in good stead come finals time.”

On his side’s performance, Gilham said closing out close games was still an area his side needed to focus on.

“Against Caroline Springs a late goal drew the game and this time after the siren,” he said.

“There always feels like there’s a winner and loser in these games and with how it happened we probably feel the latter.

“The good thing is we haven’t been beaten, we’ll go to work on it over the next few weeks.”

Werribee Districts will have a bye this weekend while the Eagles host fifth-placed Altona.