Williamstown has fallen to their second loss of the season, going down to North Ballarat by 13 points at Keilor Football Ground.
North Ballarat has had the better of the Seagulls over the past few years, with Williamstown not having beaten the Roosters since 2008.
At quarter time it didn’t look like this trend would stop with North Ballarat having a blistering first quarter kicking 7 goals to 1 to lead by 37 points at the first break.
The Seagulls were left shell shocked with the Roosters start, turning the ball over on several occasions which resulted in goals to the visitors.
Despite winning plenty of the football and having forward entries Williamstown was unable to capitalise as the Roosters ran the ball out of their defensive 50 with ease.
After copping the wrath of the Seagulls coaching staff at quarter time, it was a much more committed side that came out to play in the second quarter.
The midfield unit of Brett Johnson, Sam Reid, Mitch Wallis and Ben Jolley were winning plenty of football and Jarrad Grant was looking lively up forward as the Gulls managed to reduce the margin to 24 points at the main change.
The battle between Jordan Roughead and Orren Stephenson was proving critical in the middle of the ground with the two big men going at it all day with the honours being shared.
In front of a large crowd at Keilor the Seagulls faithful were urging their team to take the game on early in the third quarter.
It looked as if the wheel was starting to turn Williamstown’s way as the Seagulls continued to pepper the goals from repeated forward fifty entries.
Inaccuracy was hurting the Gulls dearly kicked 4.7 for the quarter with many other chances wasted.
The margin was reduced to 7 points when Andrew Hooper goaled, however a late goal to the Roosters helped stem the flow on three quarter time and extend the margin to 14 points at the last change.
The last quarter promised to be a tight tussle with both teams desperate for victory.
Brett Johnson was doing everything he could do to lift his side over the line with 15 last quarter possessions in a captain’s performance.
Matthew Panos made the switch up forward with immediate effect kicking two goals to bring the margin back to 7 points, however the Roosters had all the answers with Bill Driscoll kicking the winning goal to continue the North Ballarat hoodoo.
A disappointing first quarter made it hard for the Gulls to recover, but inaccurate kicking and wasteful possession will no doubt disappoint the Seagulls coaching staff.
Williamstown had 90 more possessions, more inside 50’s and more scoring shots but failed to make an impact on the scoreboard.
Jason Tutt continued his steady form improvement playing on a wing and debutant Michael Fogarty showed he has what it takes to play at the next level in his first senior Williamstown game.
Development Report:
Williamstown continued their good form at Development level with a 81 point win over North Ballarat.
The Seagulls worked their way into the game and ran over the top of the Roosters as the game progressed.
It was an even performance across the board as the young Gulls kicked 19 goals to post the big win.
Phil Smith produced an outstanding performance on the wing while Ed Carr, Dane Rampe and Matthew Cravino provided drive out of the midfield all day.
Alistair Kefford was a major target up forward and Dylan Conway got on the end of some good work kicking 3 last quarter goals.
Next Week:
Williamstown is back at Werribee next week against Frankston on Saturday. The Seagulls will be looking to bounce back after the disappointing loss against the Dolphins.
Williamstown v Frankston
Saturday 18th of June
Avalon Airport Oval
Seniors 2pm, Development 11am.
