By Oliver Williamson, Williamstown Media
The Williamstown Seagulls are hoping to make some noise this upcoming VFL season, seeking redemption following last year’s early finals exit.
Leading the way for this determined footy side is a plethora of experience and knowledge. We are pleased to announce the Williamstown VFL coaching team for 2025.
Senior Coach – Justin Plapp
Spearheading the seven-strong coaching team is Justin Plapp.
Plappy returns for his fifth season as the Williamstown VFL Senior Coach, and his impact in those five years has been instrumental.
Having faced a period of very trying times throughout COVID, he has shaped the blue and gold into true competitors over the last few years and hopes that Williamstown will once again be strong contenders for the premiership this season.
With seven years of experience in the AFL as both a player and assistant coach, Plapp possesses the tools, capability and smarts to propel his side to success in 2025.
Senior Assistant Coach – Danny Ryan
First time Seagull Danny Ryan will be taking on the role of Senior Assistant Coach for Williamstown this season.
Having previously coached within Port Melbourne and Frankston’s VFL programs, Ryan comes across to the West with the knowledge of how to mould talent for the AFL system.
A community man at heart, he is driven to create change for Williamstown both on and off the field, striving to build a stronger club and community.
Having spent his coaching career at standalone clubs, he knows what it takes to shape athletes into fighters in a competitive VFL scene.
Assistant Coaches – Paul Vines and Mark Greenshields
Two footy minds with position-based knowledge; Paul Vines and Mark Greenshields have joined the Williamstown coaching group as Assistant Coaches.
Vines joins the Seagulls as a former WAFL player, playing almost 50 games with Subiaco before stepping into his coaching shoes.
Specialising as a midfield-oriented coach, he can be the piece to take the Seagulls on-ballers to that next level up in 2025.
Mark Greenshields has been named as an Assistant Coach alongside Vines for this upcoming season.
Greenshields joins the Williamstown coaching lineup with expertise in the midfield and forward line.
He built his coaching experience at the Western Jets as an Under-16s coach, before a transition to Melton Centrals in the RDFL.
With Vines likely to assist with the midfield development, Greenshields will be a handy addition for the forward line coaching setup.
The two of them coming onboard at Williamstown will create an added level of support for the 2025 season.
Development Coaches – Paddy Farley, Ylber Zijai and Mark Smyth
The triple threat of Paddy Farley, Ylber Zijai and Mark Smyth will all be returning as coaches for the Williamstown development squad in 2025.
As the club looks to build up the skills of their young talent, Mark Smyth will lead the squad with Farley and Zijai supporting him.
Smyth has built himself a strong relationship with the players, and his care for the club makes him a perfect leader for the developing talent.
Farley is entering his second year with Williamstown as a former member of the coaching squad at Point Cook.
Ylber Zijai will be returning, bringing his knowledge of the game with him as a former VFL player.
Having had a stint at the Casey Demons with Plapp as his coach, the trust between them is evident thus, making him a strong addition to the coaching lineup.
There you have it – the full Williamstown coaching panel for 2025. To put names to faces, visit: https://williamstownfc.com.au/vfl-team/
Additionally, newcomer Alex Stork will support the coaching team as Data Analyst and IT Manager throughout the 2025 VFL season while also working as an Umpire Match Analysis Team Member for the AFL.
It isn’t too long until the Seagulls are back in action, as Round 1 of the VFL season gets underway this weekend.
Catch us at NEC Hangar as we take on Essendon for our opening match of the year, this Saturday 22nd March at 3.05PM.
