Williamstown lost John Shaw through injury and Dylan Addison to the Bulldogs, Cam Wight was also pulled from the Willi team with the flu. Into the side came Jordan Roughead and young Bulldog rookie Jamason Daniels for his first senior game.
Sandringham fresh from their bye last week and with their season on the line welcomed key St. Kilda players Luke Ball, David Armitage, Leigh Fisher and Luke Miles back into their side.
First Quarter
Williamstown had first use of the wind and in a tough opening both sides were playing at high intensity. Xavier Gotch kicked the opening goal from a stoppage but Sandy was strong early with Luke Ball, Leigh Fisher and David Armitage lively. Peter Summers goaled and goal sneak Shane Tregear kicked 2 goals before the Seagulls responded with goals to Patrick Rose and Dean Galea. Nick Sautner kicked an opportunistic goal before Wayde Skipper regained the lead for the Seagulls.
Williamstown 4.4
Sandringham 4.1
Second Quarter
Sandy opened the second quarter with a quick goal to Matt Maguire as the Willi side defended grimly. Jamason Daniels was lively in his first game and Easton Wood was checking Zebra danger man David Gallagher. Scott Meyer was in an absorbing duel with Nick Sautner who kicked 2 advantage free kick goals before Daniels capped off a great passage of play to keep the Seagulls in the contest at half time. Skipper and Roughead were contributing in the ruck whilst Tim Callan, Andrejs Everitt, Jarrad Boumann and Ben Davies defended well.
Williamstown 6.6
Sandringham 7.7
Third Quarter
Williamstown lifted their intensity in the third quarter with their defensive pressure outstanding. Ben Jolley was in outstanding form and David Stretton was also influential. Goals to Patrick Rose and Dean Galea helped the Seagulls regain the lead but Wayde Skipper and David Stretton failed to capitalise after missing set shots. Sautner got a goal against the flow, but a late goal to Dean Galea extended the Seagulls lead to 7 points.
Williamstown 9.11
Sandringham 8.10
Fourth Quarter
A gripping final quarter unfolded with Sandy kicking 2 goals in the first 10 minutes to regain the lead before Jason Cloke kicked a great snap goal to even the scores. The game was a real arm wrestle until a great goal to Jarryn Geary from a stoppage opened the game up. Finishing full of run the Zebras kicked 5 goals in 7 minutes in time on to win the game. A late goal to Dean Galea reduced the lead to 26 points.
Williamstown 11.13 (79)
Sandringham 15.15 (105)
Goal kickers: Galea 4, Rose 2, Cloke, Skipper, Daniels, Gotch, Johnson.
Best Players: Jolley, Wood, Galea, Skipper, Cloke, Stretton.
Reserve's Wrap
A depleted Williamstown Reserves side lost to the 7th place Sandringham by 42 points at Trevor Barker Oval.
Captain Matthew Cravino was great with 37 possessions and Michael Tanner was again a fine contribution at full back and Richard Knight had the better of St. Kilda listed player Paul Cahill. Nick Georgiadis and Matthew Grossman continued their fine form, Malcolm Lynch was also better and Ayce Cordy returned from injury and was a solid contributor in limited ground time.
Williamstown 0.3 3.3 8.4 10.9 (69)
Sandringham 0.4 7.8 10.12 16.15 (111)
Goal kickers: Georgiadis 2, Lynch 2, Lee, Cravino, Florance, Isbister, Nicolopoulos, Cordy.
Best Players: Cravino, Tanner, Georgiadis, Lynch, Grossman, Knight.
What’s on next week...
Next Saturday 1st August, Williamstown plays North Ballarat in the ABC TV Match of the Day. A supporter’s bus will depart Seagulls Nest (1 Mason Street Newport) at 11.00 am.
Seniors North Ballarat VS Williamstown 1.10 pm
Reserves North Ballarat VS Williamstown 10.20am
