THE wait is over.

Football’s thumped into the turf all around the state on the weekend as the Victorian Football League got under way, but for the boys in the West – Werribee and Williamstown the wait continues.

The Tigers and the Seagulls had byes in round one prolonging their season openers to this weekend.

For both sides, the season holds unknown possibilities as they look to back up 2008 preliminary final appearances.

Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said the playing list was looking healthy a week out from their clash with Collingwood at Visy Park.

“It is looking very promising on both Bulldogs and Williamstown side,” he said.

“The injury list is quite low at this stage, so we are going to have a lot of players to choose from.

“Last week (the Bulldogs) had only six injuries and on the Williamstown side, I don’t think there were too many there.”

Werribee coach Simon Atkins noted a couple of injuries but said his senior squad should be in tact and ready for their night match against Bendigo on Saturday.

“All our senior players should be right,” he said.

With new lighting at Chirnside Park the opening match against the Bombers will mark a new era in the club’s history.

“We’ve been training the last couple of nights under (the lights) and we have got the night game tonight (Thursday against Box Hill).

“As far as the lights are concerned, we didn’t really realise how bad they were (previously).”

Gotch and Atkins hinted at playing debutants in their respective opening matches but were hesitant to guarantee any places.

“It’s an early call, that is what tonight (practice match) is all about,” Atkins said.

“I’d expect at least one first year player from Werribee will play (on Saturday).”

He did name the new Tigers who played in Thursday night’s match who are chances for senior selection, including Rhyce Prismall (in his second year with the Tigers), Brant Dickson, Lachlan Baddeley, Will Martinello and the returning Marty Pask.

Atkins also said star recruit Nathan Thompson would play in their opening match but sat in the coach’s box for the practice match on Thursday night.

Gotch threw a few names up for Williamstown’s round two match including his son Xavier.

“The guys staking a claim would be Luke Cartelli, Mitch Kedell and Xavier Gotch, and (Chris) Egan of course, the last couple of games he has been pretty good, Ben Davies as well has been up and about.”

When it came to his son, Brad was happy the 18-year-old was performing in the pre-season practice matches – it made his life easier.

“I can only judge on him on his performances and he has been lively.

“He has surprised me with how he has gone so far. He has been fairly lively around the footy, which is what we need.

“It still doesn’t guarantee him a game though. It helps me if he is performing well, it makes my job easier if the selectors can see and say ‘oh we didn’t know he could perform like that’ rather than him being the favourite (of the coach.)”