Williamstown remain undefeated after registering their fifth straight win with a 35 point victory over Sandringham on Saturday afternoon. In the ABC televised match of the round, the Seagulls proved too strong for the Zebras with a first quarter performance that would have pleased Coach Peter German.
In stark contrast to their first quarter performances in the opening four games of the season, the Seagulls piled on the first 5 goals of the game in a 6 to 2 goal first quarter that firmly established the home side in control at the first interval. It was the inside players that led the way, winning the clearances and ensuring they got first hands on the football, their ferocity at the contests and hunger to win the 50/50 ball set the tone from the opening bounce. While the run provided from the impressive Jason Tutt and Luke Dalhaus allowed the Gulls to split open the Zebras defence and find a target inside 50.
The second quarter saw the visitors hit back strongly as the Seagulls took their foot off the pedal. Sandringham reduced a quarter time deficit of 27 points to just 9 points with the opening three goals of the quarter, including one acrobatic effort from St Kilda listed player Daniel Archer. The lively Matthew Panos - who booted 4 goals and provided a target up forward all day - stopped the rot with a long goal from 50 metres and injected some life into the home sides cause. Despite an injury to Mitch Hahn that saw him limp off mid-way through the second term, the Seagulls added another 4 goals for the quarter to take a 19 point lead and some much needed breathing space into the half time break.
Returning from the half time team talk, the Seagulls continued from where they dropped off at the end of the first quarter, dominating the Zebras with a 6 goals to 1 for the term. In his best display since joining the club, VFL premiership player Brett Goodes kicked two goals in a stunning third quarter performance that will have endeared him to the Williamstown faithful. While the decision to move Brian Lake forward and get him involved in the game proved a masterstroke by German as he not only kicked two goals but provided a contest at every opportunity.
Carrying a 50 point margin into the final term, the Seagulls traded goals with the visiting side in the opening stages of the fourth quarter, with Goodes kicking another two goals in a 5 goal best on ground performance.
Coach German will be looking for a much more consistent performance against rivals Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval next Saturday afternoon. With both sides unbeaten in the opening 6 rounds of the competition, it is sure to be a thrilling contest and one that will provide a clearer picture of who the team to beat is in the 2011 VFL season.
2011 VFL Seniors
Williamstown 6.3 11.5 17.9 21.13 (139)
Sandringham 2.0 8.5 9.7 16.8 (104)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Goodes 5 Panos 4 Barlow 3 Lake 2 Reid 2 Davies Dahlhaus Tutt Cordy Johnson
BEST:
Williamstown: Goodes Dahlhaus Hooper Djerrkura Jolley Cordy
In their best performance of the season yet, the development side registered a 124 point win over Sandringham at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday. Despite trailing at the quarter time break, the Seagulls produced an impressive team performance, booting 21 goals to the Zebras 2 in the last 3 quarters of the game. Matthew Cravino led the way for the home side with a 40 possession best on ground performance that could have put him in contention for a senior’s berth, while Tom Hill and Richard Knight kicked 5 and 6 goals respectively. In further great news for Coach Justin Plapp, Sam Caruso returned to the side and got through the encounter unscathed, and he will be hoping his side can continue their great form as they travel to TEAC Oval next Saturday to take on the borough with both teams having dropped only one game in the opening 6 rounds.
2011 VFL Reserves
Williamstown 4.3 10.9 20.16 25.21 (171)
Sandringham 5.1 5.2 7.3 7.5 (47)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Knight 6 Hill 5 Smith 2 McHarg 2 Woods 2 Walters 2 Hoghton Frost Cravino Purton-Smith Kefford Ryan
BEST:
Williamstown: Cravino Woods Carr Knight McCallum McHarg
Next Week
Williamstown travels to TEAC Oval to take on Port Melbourne in a top of the table clash, with the first bounce at 2pm. Be sure to head down and cheer on the boys as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten record.
