Williamstown has fallen short in its bid to break its North Ballarat hoodoo, going down by 2 points at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
Forward Jarrad Grant had a shot after the siren to win the game for the visitors but it faded right to the disappointment of the travelling Seagulls supporters.
North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas was the difference between the two sides on the day, kicking 9.2 in a best on ground performance.
For the Seagulls Ayce Cordy, Lukas Markovic and Jason Tutt impressed in the narrow loss.
The script couldn’t have started better for the Gulls with Christian Howard kicking the opening goal of the match with a beautiful goal on the run as the Gulls came out of the blocks hard.
North Ballarat replied through Lachlan George who was also awarded a bizarre second shot on goal having been brought to the ground as he kicked the ball.
He duly converted from the goal square leaving everyone scratching their heads about the “double goal”.
The game was building as a fantastic contest between two quality sides — the midfield battle was proving crucial.
There were worrying signs early for the Seagulls as Lindsay Thomas kicked two opening quarter goals however a goal on the siren gave the Seagulls a slender 5 point lead at the first break.
North Ballarat had the aid of a slight breeze in the second quarter as they once again looked dangerous with Thomas the focal point up forward.
Mitch Hahn was proving a worry for the Roosters defence kicking 4 goals for the game.
Lindsay Gilbee was instrumental stemming the flow down back as the Gulls managed to restrict the margin to 4 points at half time.
The see-sawing nature of the contest continued in the third quarter with the Gulls stretching out to a 14 point margin at one stage — the biggest margin of the game.
However another 3 Thomas goals ensured that all would be to play for in the last quarter with Williamstown heading in with their noses slightly in front by a point at the last change.
With all to play for, the quality of the game stepped up even another notch with both teams desperate to win.
When North Ballarat got out to a 9 point lead late in the quarter the game looked beyond the Seagulls reach but a Jason Tutt goal gave a glimmer of hope.
With no more than 15 seconds on the clock the Gulls went coast-to-coast from a North Ballarat behind with the ball ending up in Jarrad Grant’s hands as the siren sounded.
50 metres out directly in front, Grant’s kick did not reach the target as the Roosters held on for the win against the Seagulls.
North Ballarat 3.5 7.10 11.12 13.16 (94)
Williamstown 4.4 7.6 12.7 13.14 (92)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Hahn 4 Howard 2 Tutt 2 Gilbee VESZPREMI Hill Minson Cordy
BEST:
Williamstown: Gilbee Johnson Markovic Howard Cordy Wallis
Development Report:
Williamstown has come from behind to beat North Ballarat in a scrappy, contested game of football.
The Gulls trailed at the first two breaks but kicked 5 goals to 2 after half time to win by 10 points in a close encounter.
Jake Wilson was a rock all day at full back and was ably supported by Josh Griffiths, Mathew Grossman and Lee Spiteri.
Tom Hill kicked two goals in his return to football while Jack Purton-Smith also kicked 2.
North Ballarat 2.4 4.5 5.8 6.12 (48)
Williamstown 1.1 3.3 6.5 8.10 (58)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Hill 2 Purton-Smith 2 Kefford Ryan Jones Walters
BEST:
Williamstown: Wilson Smith McHarg Spiteri Griffiths Cravino
Next Week:
Williamstown travels to Perth for the Foxtel Cup Grand Final to play Claremont. Supporters can catch the game live on Fox Sports 1 at 5:00pm this Saturday.
