THIS WEEK - ROUND 4:
Williamstown v Geelong (VFL)
Easter Sunday 24th April, 2.00pm start
Spring Creek Reserve (Torquay Oval)
Surf Coast Highway, Torquay
Melways Ref: 236 F6
Curtain Raiser Game begins at 11.00am
Williamstown Superules v Geelong Superules
Round 3 Report::
Williamstown won its third game on the trot with a dominant third quarter against Box Hill in their Round 3 match at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday. A lacklustre first half was compounded by the loss of Captain Brett Johnson to concussion late in the first quarter. However an eight goal to one third quarter, on the back of some ferocious tackling and defensive pressure ensured the Seagulls secured their third win in as many matches to start the season with a bang.
Still feeling the effects of a gruelling trip to play Swan Districts in Perth, the Seagulls struggled to get out of the blocks early with the Hawks dominating the play and causing headaches for Coach Peter German with their run and carry. The Seagulls looked flat and were comprehensively beaten in the stoppages allowing the Hawks first hands on the ball and although it didn’t show on the scoreboard, the visitor’s looked firmly in control of the contest and went into quarter time with the momentum.
The lack of energy shown in the first quarter was a major concern for the coaching staff, and things didn’t get any easier when Captain Brett Johnson was ruled out of the rest of the game with concussion. Facing an uphill battle, the Hawks took full advantage, kicking four goals to the Gulls two to take a 20 point lead into the half time break on the back of some hard work and good lead up play from Luke Breust and David Mirra. One man who was consistent throughout the game was Bulldogs listed ruckmen Will Minson, his two goals in the first half and hunger to get to each and every contest kept the Seagulls within touching distance as one of the few shining lights in the first half.
Whatever Coach Peter German said to the players at the half time break certainly lifted the Seagulls intensity. Williamstown came out of the half time break with a point to prove and that they did, the defensive pressure and tackling count lifted, registering as many tackles in the third quarter as they did in the entire first half. A big third quarter from former Sydney Swan Patrick Veszpremi and the ever impressive Will Minson with three and two goals for the term respectively propelled the Seagulls to four straight goals and eight for the quarter. The visitors had no answer for the tough tackling Seagulls, forced into coughing up the ball at almost every opportunity as the Williamstown faithful lifted.
Carrying a 25 point lead into the final term, the Seagulls dropped their guard and with two quick goals the Hawks ensured the contest would go down to the wire. An exchange of goals between the sides saw the margin reduced to as little as 10 points before young key forward Liam Jones booted two goals in two minutes to all but end the contest. However the Hawks weren’t done yet and three of the last four goals pushed the Seagulls to hold on for an 11 point win.
Next up the Seagulls travel to Torquay for an Easter Sunday clash with Geelong where they will look to continue on their winning run, although German will be hoping his side put in a much more consistent performance if they wish to make Season 2011 a successful one.
A big crowd is expected at Torquay on Easter Sunday for the clash. Members receive free entry to the game - the game starts at 2pm with a curtain raiser of Geelong Super Rules v Williamstown Super Rules.
Williamstown 16 . 13 . 109
Box Hill Hawks 14 . 14 . 98
Goals: W. Minson 4, P.Veszpremi 4, C.Howard 2, L.Jones 2, A.Hooper, M.Hahn, S.Reid, B.Goodes
Best: W. Minson, M. Wallis, B. Davies, A. Hooper, S. Reid, J. Mulligan
