Williamstown made two changes to the side that lost its opening final to North Ballarat by 20 points. Into the side came Farren Ray and Callum Urch to replace Steven Tiller and Dean Galea. Frankston had an unchanged side that defeated the Coburg Tigers in their thrilling 6 point victory the previous week.
A blustery north wind and temperature of 25 degrees meant that there were very tough conditions for both sides.
First Quarter
Frankston won the toss and kicked to the favoured end of the ground. Williamstown were up and about early through David Stretton, Ben Jolley and Guy O’Keefe who were winning plenty of possessions. Up forward Matthew Little and Wayde Skipper were prominent and both players took a number of strong marks and kicked the Seagulls two first quarter goals.
Frankston, after a slow start, began to get their running game going and impressive first year player Michael Lourey kicked their first goal. Pint sized forward Ricky Morris was a constant headache for the Seagulls defence but their two key players Justin Berry and Dean Limbach were being covered well by Liam Picken and Scott Meyer.
Williamstown 2.6 (18) Frankston 3.5 (23)
Second Quarter
Williamstown now had an opportunity to use the wind and impressive youngster, Western Bulldog Callan Ward, kicked the opening goal of the quarter. His Bulldogs team mates were also prominent with Farren Ray playing an outstanding game and Dylan Addison looking more confident in his second game back since injuring his knee.
Captain Brett Johnson was being hounded by Frankston tagger James Magner and Peter Street was being frustrated by Frankston ruck man Russell Gabriel. Callum Urch gave Williamstown a lift with a goal himself and then set up Guy O’Keefe for another to give the Seagulls the lead by three goals. A late goal to Frankston reduced the lead to 12 points as the tough conditions took their toll on players from both sides.
Williamstown 8.9 (57) Frankston 6.9 (45)
Third Quarter
Youngster Guy O’Keefe could not take his place in the second half as Williamstown defended grimly in the opening stages of the third quarter. Captain Brett Johnson lifted and Cameron Lockwood was also having an influence.
Backmen Andrejs Everitt, Meyer, Picken, Cameron Wight and Kane McKenzie were teaming well and providing plenty of run. Jason Cloke then applied a great tackle to set up a goal for David Stretton against the wind.
Frankston were not to be denied as goals to former player Clinton Proctor and Lourey reduced the lead. Frankston had a number of opportunities to regain the lead but inaccuracy in front of goal meant that they trailed by three points at the last change.
Williamstown 9.11 (65) Frankston 8.14 (62)
Fourth Quarter
A gripping final quarter started with Frankston winning possession out of the centre and kicking a goal to take the lead. This brought the Frankston fans alive as they sensed another come from behind victory.
Frankston looked full of run and Marcus Mariglani was dominating at stoppages, while in the back half Anthony Raso, Byron Barry and Shaun Pollard were defending resolutely. Williamstown pushed forward for Johnson to goal but Frankston replied immediately.
Coach Brad Gotch threw his side around in a desperate measure to find a spark as Frankston looked in control. Clinton Proctor kicked a great goal on the run to lift the Dolphins as Ben Jolley took a crucial mark to keep Williamstown in touch.
Time was slipping away as Frankston missed a couple of opportunities to ice the game as the time clock reached the 29 minute mark. Williamstown ran the ball out of defence which finished up with Matthew Little who kicked a great goal from outside the 50 arc.
A centre clearance resulted in a contested mark to Jason Cloke who kicked to Callum Urch who gathered the ball and slotted a low skimming kick from the boundary to give the Seagulls an unlikely one point lead.
With 30 seconds left on the clock Frankston won a free kick and surged into their forward 50 but the siren sounded to give the never say die Williamstown a famous one point victory.
Williamstown 13.14 (92) Frankston 12.19 (91)
Goals: Urch 3, Little 3, Ward 2, Jolley 1, Johnson 1, Skipper 1, Stretton 1, O’Keefe 1
Best: Ray, Picken, Everitt, Meyer, Urch, Jolley
Williamstown now goes into its third consecutive preliminary final after losing to Geelong (2006) and Coburg Tigers (2007) in the last two years.
Williamstown’s opponent will be Port Melbourne who finished on top of the ladder and have won all 11 games at home (TEAC OVAL) in 2008. In fact Port Melbourne has now won 14 of their last 15 games and will enter the game as favourites.
Williamstown will play the Box Hill Hawks in the reserves grand final as the curtain raiser to the senior game.
Saturday 20 September
Senior preliminary final
Williamstown Vs Port Melbourne
2.10pm
Reserves grand final
Williamstown Vs Box Hill Hawks
10.45am
Both games at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne (525 Williamstown Rd, Port Melbourne)
