Reigning premiers North Ballarat had lost their three previous games to Box Hill, Northern Bullants and Werribee. Williamstown lost to Sandringham in Round 15 and hold an 11 – 3 record in 2009.
First Quarter
Williamstown won the toss and kicked with the wind, but it was North Ballarat who bounced out of the blocks with Aaron Edwards in menacing form early with 3 marks and the opening two goals. Dropped Kangaroo David Hale was prominent early and was being assisted by Josh Smith in the ruck. Rohan McHugh bobbed up for a goal and all the early initiative was with the Roosters.
Captain Brett Johnson was in fine form and he was rewarded with the Seagulls only goal with the wind.
Williamstown 1.4
North Ballarat 3.5
Second Quarter
Williamstown came out with more purpose in the second quarter but it was Ballarat rover Stephen Clifton who kicked the opening goal of the quarter to extend the lead. Cruize Garlett was prominent for the Roosters and when Josh Smith kicked, they established a 4 goal lead.
Easton Wood, Scott Meyer, Matthew Grossman and Henry White were defending grimly as the Roosters took complete control.
The Seagulls rallied with consecutive goals to Wayde Skipper and Jason Cloke, however misses to Dean Galea and Patrick Rose meant that the margin was 17 points at half time.
Williamstown 3.7
North Ballarat 6.6
Third Quarter
Williamstown began the third quarter with the opening goal to Patrick Rose to reduce the margin.
Williamstown again surged through the efforts of Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley, David Stretton, Guy O’Keefe, Sam Reid and Dylan Joyce to gain control of the game.
Williamstown kicked consecutive goals through Guy O’Keefe, David Stretton, Dylan Joyce and Brett Johnson to reduce the lead to 5 points just before ¾ time.
North Ballarat responded with a goal to debutant Tyler George on the buzzer to again lead by 11 points.
Williamstown 8.11
North Ballarat 10.10
Fourth Quarter
Williamstown mounted their challenge and were able to level the scores after 10 minutes with goals to Patrick Rose and Dean Galea.
Both sides were desperate and it was Michael Wundke who took a contested mark and goalled to regain the lead. Spurred on by the home crowd the Roosters responded with consecutive goals to Aaron Edwards and when Nick Peters kicked his second goal the game was over.
Williamstown 11.11 (77)
North Ballarat 14.14 (98)
Goalkickers : Rose 3, Johnson 2, Galea 1, Joyce 1, Skipper 1, Stretton 1, O’Keefe 1, Cloke 1
Best Players : Johnson, O’Keefe, Jolley, Wood, Rose, Skipper
Reserve's Wrap
Williamstown lost its third consecutive game when it was overrun by a determined North Ballarat by 15 points.
Williamstown led by 27 points at half time but after Jacob Graham and Richard Knight went down with injuries in the third quarter, a lack of manpower was exposed by the Roosters.
Williamstown 1.4 7.9 9.11 9.15 (69)
North Ballarat 2.4 3.6 8.10 12.12 (84)
Goalkickers : Nicolopoulos 3, Georgiadis 1, Cordy 1, DiMartino 1, Isbister 1, Miller 1, Irwin-Hill 1
Best Players : Miller, Georgiadis, Lee, Cravino, Knight, Nicolopoulos
