Williamstown ventured to Box Hill City Oval to take on the Box Hill Hawks in Round 19 action in the VFL last Saturday.

Williamstown made 3 changes to the side which beat Bendigo in the previous week. Into the side came Bulldogs Cameron Wight returning from injury Brennan Stack from the reserves along with Steven Greene. Out of the side went Bulldogs Andrejs Everitt and Shaun Higgins who were promoted to the Bulldogs senior side while Scott West missed through knee soreness.

 

 

Box Hill begun the game in blistering fashion with early goals to Thorp and Morton as Tim Clarke and Ben McGlynn were dominating the midfield for the Hawks. A couple of errant shots on goal meant that their early dominance was not reflected on the scoreboard as the Seagulls settled and were able to get their hands on the ball.

Patrick Rose was lively up forward and kicked 2 early majors whilst Bulldog Easton Wood bombed a long goal after running off half back. Liam Picken was playing a fine game and David Stretton and Ben Jolley were continuing their fine form. Up back Bulldog Stephen Tiller was providing tremendous run out of defence and Peter Street was simply too tall and strong for the Box Hill ruckmen. Tom Langlands marked and goalled after the siren to establish a 26 point lead at the first break.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN 6.5 (41)    BOX HILL 2.3 (15)

 

 

Box Hill again started in promising fashion and kicked early goals through Boyle and Neville to reduce the deficit. Kane McKenzie was a standout up back and was being supported by Scott Meyer, Cameron Wight and James Beaumont. Up forward Matthew Little took 5 strong marks for the quarter but unfortunately his kicking for goal was wayward. The Box Hill defence were struggling to match up on the potent forwards in Wayde Skipper and Callum Urch and then Street handballed to Rose for him to kick his third goal.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN 10.9 (69)   BOX HILL   7.5   (47)

 

 

Both sides were one man down in the second half with Ben McGlynn (Box Hill) and Brennan Stack (Williamstown) unable to resume. The Williamstown midfield were on top with Sam Reid, Guy O’Keefe, Brett Johnson, Liam Picken and David Stretton providing plenty of drive. Defender Cam Wight kicked a great goal from a stoppage and Cameron Lockwood was lively. Up forward Jason Cloke continually provided a target and roamed around the ground  picking up possessions. Callum Urch was growing in confidence as he kicked his second goal as the seagulls led by 42 points at the last change.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN   15.14 (104)   BOX HILL   9.8   (62)

 

 

Box Hill had the favoured end in the final quarter but it was imperative that Williamstown restrict their scoring with percentage likely to decide the top 3 positions on the ladder. Box Hill refused to lay down and kept attacking which was rewarded with goals to Neville, Smithwick and Morton. David Stretton continued his brilliant form to goal and then set up Callum Urch who kicked 3 goals in the final quarter to bring his individual total to 5 and signal that he wants to play a key role in our finals campaign. Jolley and Picken continued their good form and it took a Box Hill goal after the siren to reduce the winning margin to 35 points.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN   6.5   10.9   15.14    19.16 (130)

BOX HILL                 2.3     7.5     9.8      14.11 ( 95)

 

Goalkickers: Urch 5, Rose 3, Jolley 3, Little 2, Picken 1, Langlands 1, Stretton 1, Lockwood 1, Wood 1, Wight 1.

 

Best Players: Picken, Jolley, Stretton, Reid, Urch, Cloke.

 

 

 

Williamstown suffered only their second loss for the year when defeated by the third placed Box Hill Hawks by 23 points. With their victory Box Hill secured third position on the ladder and will play Williamstown in this Saturday’s Qualifying Final as the curtain raiser to the Williamstown/ Werribee clash this Saturday.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN   3.2   6.4    8.8    10.11 (71)

BOX HILL                 3.5   5.13 9.16 12.22 (94)

 

Goalkickers: Chiu 3, Galea 2, Jenkins 2, Keddell1, Cartelli 1, Boumann 1.

 

Best Players: Cartelli, Black, Cravino, Chiu, Keddell, O’Shea.

 

This Saturday 30^th August the top placed Williamstown play the fourth placed Werribee at home (BURBANK OVAL) in a do or die final home and away game where the stakes are high for both sides. Williamstown have to win if they hope to hold on to the all important top spot which could also result in a home final whilst Werribee need to win to hold on to fourth spot and the double chance. Werribee have won 8 of their last 9 games with their only loss to Port Melbourne in Round 16 and will be keen to avenge their Round 1 loss to the Seagulls by 56 points.

 

A big crowd is expected to attend this weeks game which will have the Reserves Qualifying game as the Curtain Raiser commencing at 11.10 am. This weeks Presidents Luncheon is a sell out with Guest Speaker David Lawson who stars in the very popular Toyota Football Legends commercials as Guest Speaker. Another highlight of the luncheon will be the celebration of our 1958 Premiership side who will attend the luncheon.