Williamstown CYMS record first win in Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier C, defeating Old Camberwell

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS marked another special moment in its history, recording its first Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier C win over Old Camberwell on Saturday.

VAFA Division 1 grand final: Williamstown CYMS V Therry Penola

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS marked another special moment in its history by recording its first Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier C win over Old Camberwell on Saturday.

The Grammarians were wasteful in front of goal in the opening term, spraying an inaccurate 3.8, and the CYs made them pay in the second stanza, slamming eight goals to one to race to a 28-point lead.

The home side rallied in the third term, cutting the deficit back to just four points, but some Jack Gray magic helped last year’s Division 1 premier secure a 17.7 (109) to 13.16 (94) win.

Gray finished with three goals, two coming in the final term, while 18-year-old Nic Ebinger starred at full-forward and slotted six majors.

Ebinger, who kicked 80 goals in the club’s under-19s side last season, has been a shining light in the opening two games with nine goals.

CYs coach Mathew Montebello heaped praise on the teenager, who played one senior game last season, kicking four goals against Melbourne High School.

“Last year, it was a tough year for him to break into that side that won the premiership — we had to add a string to his bow,” Montebello said.

“David Ackerly, who played for North Melbourne and Sydney, has come on board as a development coach, and has done a lot of work on his workrate and how to move.

“He took four or five marks, full body contact, and once it touches his hands it doesn’t go anywhere else.”

With Ebinger deep, Luke Molan was free to roam across centre-half forward, allowing the CYs to swing Nicholas Blackney to centre-half back.

“We worked on bringing it back into the hot spot area, and be patient on it,” Montebello said.

“We have seven non-negotiables every game — once the non-negotiables are met, the results take care of themselves.

“We’re not going to get too caught ahead of where we are on the ladder. Consistency across four quarters is probably the hardest thing in football.”

The CYs host Peninsula at Fearon Reserve on Saturday, one of just two teams undefeated after two rounds.

“There’s a bit of history between the clubs, before my time. I think they played each other in a grand final,” Montebello said.

“It will be a big challenge.”