Boumann, a young draftee from the Dandenong Stingrays, made his senior debut after strong performances at reserves level over the last month. Out of the side went Adam Cook (suspended), Steven Greene (injured) and Paul O’Shea and Henry White who were omitted.
The Coburg Tigers were strengthened through the inclusion of Richmond listed players Greg Tivendale, Cam Howat and Daniel Connors whilst goal sneak Joe Gazzo was also included.
First Quarter
In blustery conditions Williamstown won the toss and kicked to the favoured end but it was Coburg who had the early initiative through Cam Howat, Chris Hyde and Daniel Jackson. Kayne Pettifer who marked strongly early then seriously injured his knee and was stretchered from the ground in the opening 10 minutes.
Coburg ruck duo Angus Graham and Tristan Cartledge kicked goals in the first quarter as did Hyde to put pressure on the Seagulls.
After a slow start Williamstown steadied and forwards Boumann, Dean Galea and Matthew Little all kicked majors as did captain Brett Johnson. On baller Sam Reid injured a shoulder late in the quarter and was assisted from the ground. David Stretton, James Beaumont, Ben Jolley and Johnson were key contributors in establishing the slender lead of three points.
Williamstown 4.3. (27) Coburg 3.6. (24)
Second Quarter
Coburg now had an opportunity to use the wind but it was Williamstown who controlled the bulk of play during the second quarter. Midfielders Josh Hill, Shaun Higgins, Callan Ward joined Picken, Johnson and Jolley and controlled the tempo of the game by clogging up the Coburg team.
Up forward Patrick Rose and Jason Cloke were instrumental in causing match up problems for the Coburg defence. It wasn’t until the 25 minute mark of the quarter when Joe Gazzo snapped a goal from the goal square and a minute later Dean Putt goaled from a free kick did Coburg take the lead.
Williamstown responded with Johnson scoring on the run to re-establish the lead for the Seagulls at the long break.
Williamstown 6.6 (42) Coburg 5.8 (38)
Third Quarter
Williamstown received another blow when young gun Callan Ward was unable to resume in the second half through injury. It was going to be a critical stage in the game and when Williamstown surged with goals to Cloke, Rose and O’Keefe to establish a four goal buffer it seemed that a match winning lead was being established.
But the Coburg Tigers were not to be denied and they responded through goals to Tivendale and captain Paul Shelton to reduce the lead. Seagulls O’Keefe and Picken were busy players as coach Brad Gotch had to switch players around to cover injuries. When Tivendale marked and then received a 50 metre penalty to goal just before three quarter time it was clear that Coburg were committed to causing a big upset.
Williamstown 10.11 (71) Coburg 9.11 (65)
Fourth Quarter
Whichever side could win the centre breaks was going to be crucial in deciding the winner and it was Coburg who kicked two goals in the opening minutes to grab the lead. The experienced players like Tivendale, Jackson, Hyde, Coughlan and Howat were very influential around the ball and when Carnell, Collins and Putt goaled the Coburg side were on a roll.
Williamstown still kept plugging away and Cloke and Rose kicked goals to reduce the lead to two goals at the 27 minute mark. A poor kicking clanger which would have set up a certain goal to reduce the margin to six points was then swept down the ground and finished in the hands of ruckman Tristan Cartledge who kicked truly to stretch the winning margin to 18 points.
Williamstown 13.14 (92) Coburg 16.14 (110)
Goals: Rose 3, Johnson 2, O’Keefe 2, Cloke 2, Little 1, Galea 1,
Lockwood 1, Boumann 1
Best players: Johnson, Higgins, Street, Jolley, Rose , Hill.
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown and Coburg clashed in the curtain raiser to decide top spot. This clash was much anticipated as both sides were undefeated and had dominated the competition to date.
In a stunning first quarter Coburg kicked eight straight goals to clearly establish their superiority as they looked the quicker, stronger and more skillful side. Williamstown was able to battle away and also had their moments but all credit to Coburg who recorded a convincing 51 point victory.
Williamstown 2.0 5.6 6.8 11.11 (77) Coburg 8.0 11.2 15.11 19.14 (128)
Goals: Urch 3, Lyons 2, Boyd 2, O’Shea 2, Shaw 1, Smith 1
Best players: Boyd, Barling, Urch, Shaw, Tanner, Langlands.
Williamstown do not play next week as it is the second half of the split round. With Port Melbourne expected to defeat Frankston next Saturday Williamstown will drop to third position on the ladder on percentage behind North Ballarat and Port Melbourne.
In Round 16 Williamstown travel to Hobart to play Tasmania on Saturday 2nd August, while the reserves have the bye. Williamstown’s next home game is on Saturday 16th August against Bendigo.
