Williamstown kick clear in the second half to confrim their position at the top of the VFL ladder
Williamstown resumed competition in Round 9 against the Northern Bullants at MC Labour Park after a week off due to the state game against South Australia. The Northern Bullants were undefeated in their three games at MC Labour Park prior to this match.
Williamstown made five changes – Stephen Tiller, Callan Ward and Andrejs Everitt were promoted to the Western Bulldogs side and key forwards Wayde Skipper and Jarrad Grant were injured. Into the side came Cameron Wight who was dropped by the Bulldogs, while Dean Galea, Kane McKenzie and Sam Reid earnt a recall and young Bulldog draftee Easton Wood was promoted for his first senior VFL game.
First Quarter
Williamstown began the game in outstanding form to kick the opening three goals in five minutes from Matthew Little, David Stretton and Patrick Rose. The Seagulls midfield was on top with Ben Jolley, Jarrod Harbrow and David Stretton taking advantage of the fine play from Bulldogs ruckman Peter Street. The Towners were relishing the wide expanses of MC Labour Park and Josh Hill, Brennan Stack and Steven Greene were providing plenty of rebound. Up forward Jason Cloke, Matthew Little and Malcolm Lynch were instrumental in establishing a four goal lead.
Williamstown 5.2 (32) Bullants 1.2 (8)
Second Quarter
Williamstown started the second quarter in similar form but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard. A number of scrappy ball handling errors resulted in turnovers which the Bullants took advantage of and their key forwards Adam Hartlett and Jake Edwards were looking dangerous. Key Bullants midfielders Darren Pfeiffer, Adam Iacobucci and Luke Blackwell were winning plenty of the ball and were instrumental in their kicking the final four goals of the quarter to reduce the lead to nine points at the long break.
Williamstown 7.7 (49) Bullants 6.4 (40)
Third Quarter
Coach Brad Gotch was clearly unhappy with the final 15 minutes of the second quarter and stressed the need for a major lift in the changerooms at half time. His words certainly had an effect with Williamstown producing an outstanding third quarter to kick six unanswered goals. Hill, Liam Picken, Guy O’Keefe, Easton Wood, Sam Reid, David Stretton, Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley ran rampant and forwards Matthew Little, Dean Galea, Cameron Wight and Jason Cloke provided great targets. Up back Andrew McDougall, Adam Cook, Scott Meyer and Steven Greene were rock solid and Kane McKenzie had an impact.
Williamstown 13.10 (88) Bullants 6.8 (44)
Fourth Quarter
Williamstown extended its lead with Little kicking his fourth and O’Keefe his first major. The Bullants were able to rally and kick consecutive goals to keep competitive. Stack, Hill, Stretton and Harbrow continued their fine form and Picken was again outstanding. A number of bad misses late in the quarter prevented an even bigger winning margin but it was a very solid win against a dangerous opponent. The win kept the Seagulls a game clear on top of the ladder.
Williamstown 17.13 (115) Bullants 10.9 (69)
Goals: Little 5, Rose 3, Stretton 3, Picken 2, Galea 1, Reid 1, O’Keefe 1, Lynch 1
Best Players: Hill, Picken, Stretton, Stack, Jolley, Greene
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown continued their unbeaten run by recording their 7th consecutive victory over the Northern Bullants by 55 points.
Best Players: Chiu, Lyons, White, Langlands, Cartelli, Urch
Our next game is on this Sunday June 15th when Williamstown take on Frankston. It is our Life Members Day and at the President’s Luncheon on the day we will celebrate the contribution they have made to the proud history of the Williamstown Football Club.
Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Rodney Eade will be guest speaker at the luncheon. Tickets are still available for $40.00 and attendance is welcome to everybody. Bookings can be made by calling Trent Mosbey or Brendan Curry on 9390 0611.