Into the side came Callan Ward and Jarrad Grant who were dropped by the Bulldogs and Dean Galea was a late inclusion for Scott Welsh who withdrew on Saturday morning. Andrejs Everitt was promoted to the Bulldogs, Stephen Tiller was injured and Luke Cartelli was dropped to the Reserves.
First Quarter
Williamstown opened the game in great fashion with in form ruckman Wayde Skipper continuing his outstanding form. Sam Reid kicked the opening goal after a chain of handballs and midfielders Brett Johnson, David Stretton, Callan Ward and Chris Egan were prominent. Up back Scott Meyer was in an absorbing battle with champion full forward Nick Sautner and was receiving tremendous back up support from Jason Cloke and Ayce Cordy.
Williamstown 5.2 Sandringham 1.2
Second Quarter
The game tightened up in the second quarter with greater accountability by both sides. Ben Jolley was having a great game and Ben Davies was also providing great drive from his wing. Patrick Rose was again a busy player with Guy O’Keefe whilst up forward Matthew Little, Dean Galea, Ayce Cordy and Jarrad Grant were key targets. Brennan Stack was playing his best game for the Seagulls and at half time the Seagulls led by 16 points.
Williamstown 6.3 Sandringham 3.5
Third Quarter
Sandringham continued to claw their way back into the game when David Gallagher kicked consecutive goals mid term. Captain Brett Johnson was playing an outstanding game and Matthew Little was a continual headache for the Zebra’s defence. Easton Wood, Cameron Lockwood and Cam Wight were strong in defence as the three quarter time lead was reduced to 13 points.
Williamstown 9.7 Sandringham 7.6
Fourth Quarter
Williamstown lifted in the final term with on ballers Callan Ward, Sam Reid, Xavier Gotch, David Stretton and Brett Johnson dominating from the centre square. Matthew Little kicked three and Callan Ward kicked two goals while Wayde Skipper, Dean Galea, Sam Reid and Patrick Rose also added majors which resulted in a 9 goal term and a 48 point victory.
Williamstown 18.9 (117) Sandringham 10.9 (69)
Goalkickers: Little 5, Rose 2, Reid 2, Ward 2, Jolley 1, Galea 1, Skipper 1, Stack 1, Grant 1, O’Keefe 1, Cordy 1
Best Players: Johnson, Ward, Stretton, Little, Skipper, Cloke
Williamstown is now the only undefeated side in the VFL and also sit on top of the ladder after 4 rounds. Next Sunday 10th May Williamstown travels to Frankston to play with winless Dolphins.
Reserves Wrap
In a high quality Reserves game Williamstown held off a determined Sandringham to record a 5 point victory and to sit on top of the Reserves ladder and remain undefeated.
Bulldogs draftee Jordan Roughead played his first game after a shoulder injury whilst Bulldog Rookie Chris Ogle also debuted after battling a bout of glandular fever.
Mitchell Keddell, Matthew Grossman, Dylan Joyce, Josh Young, Henry White and Tom Langlands continued their fine form.
Williamstown 4.6 8.12 11.16 11.23 (89)
Sandringham 3.3 5.6 9.11 12.12 (84)
Goalkickers: Joyce 3, Georgiadis 3, Boumann 2, Cartelli 1, Young 1, Weekes 1
Best Players: Grossman, Keddell, Joyce, Young, Roughead, White
A Supporters Bus will depart Seagulls Nest (1 Mason Street, Newport) at 11:30am. Cost is $7.00 per trip.
