Williamstown have put an end to Geelong’s nine game winning streak, cementing an impressive four point win against the in-form side on Saturday.
The Seagulls notched up the sixth consecutive win of their own as they consolidated fifth spot and booked an elimination final date against the Bendigo Gold next Saturday.
Anthony Anastasio got the Seagulls under way by weaving his way through to goal to kick the first of the day as the Seagulls continued to show their appetite for the contest.
The ball was moving quickly around the ground as both sides tried to gain the upper hand.
Makeshift ruckman James Wall had a monster task ahead of him against Nathan Vardy but worked tirelessly all day to provide the likes of Justin Sherman, Ben Jolley and Ed Carr first use.
The football was of a high quality as the Seagulls took the slenderest of margins into the first change.
The arm wrestle continued in the second quarter with Williamstown getting out to a handy 15 point lead before two Geelong goals from free kicks reduced the margin and had the visiting supporters extremely vocal.
Brodie Moles was in fine form against his former Club, picking up possessions at will, while Nick Georgiadis continued to show the attack on the football that had impressed in previous weeks and he got his reward with a second quarter goal.
The Seagulls managed to extend their lead to two points at the long break, with all spectators hoping that the second half was as action packed as the first.
Justin Sherman began to increase his influence on the game in the third quarter with 2 goals from midfield that sparked the Seagulls.
The Seagulls were able to edge ahead ever so slightly to take a 10 point lead into the last change.
A frantic final quarter saw the ball move up and down the ground with great speed, while there was a finals-like intensity around the stoppages.
Williamstown could have had the game sewn up through set shots by Cameron Lockwood, Dylan Conway and Brett Goodes, but three consecutive behinds left the door open for Geelong and a goal at the 25th minute mark brought the margin back to 4 points.
The Seagulls defended valiantly though and the siren sounded to confirm a 6th straight win.
Williamstown will now face Bendigo in a do or die Elimination Final.
The Seagulls will be hoping to reverse their Round 10 defeat to the Gold. The match will be played at Port Melbourne on Saturday at 2:10pm.
Geelong Cats 3.0 6.1 8.3 11.7 (73)
Williamstown 3.1 6.3 9.7 11.11 (77)
GOALS: Sherman 3 Georgiadis 2 Moles 2 Anastasio Panos Conway Hill
BEST: Sing Moles Sherman Jolley Frost Wall
Next week:
ELIMINATION FINAL
Williamstown v Bendigo
Saturday the 1st of September
North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
2:10pm
