Williamstown headed down the highway to Geelong to tackle the Cats on the pristine surface that is Skilled Stadium. Playing on Sunday the senior’s escaped the gale force winds from the day before and instead were greeted with blazing sunshine on a perfect day for football.
This was the first time these two teams have met this year, the last time they met in 2009 it was the Seagulls who came through with the goods with a 61 point victory.
Injuries to Bulldogs Minson, Hahn and Reid saw Tom Williams, Jordan Roughead and Brennan Stack get the call up to senior level. Matthew Grossman, Christian Howard and James Mulligan were subsequently included in the Seagulls line up. Young Adam Kennedy from the Western Jets also made his debut for the club as this week’s 23rd player.
The Cats regained Taylor Hunt and Trent West from the senior side, however lost Jeremy Laidler only minutes before the game in a late exclusion due to illness.
First Quarter
Another great start from the Seagulls saw the boys pile on the goals in the first quarter. Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley provided the work rate and grunt in the middle of the ground, setting up many forward thrusts. Leading goal kicker Matthew Little was the beneficiary with 3 first quarter goals to continue his sparkling form this year. Andrejs Everitt found himself in a new role as the team’s ruckman due to Roughead’s promotion and he was flying in the new position with 2 goals early in the first quarter.
Inaccuracy was hindering Williamstown’s score, the boys kicking 7.8 for the quarter.
Geelong managed to get one goal back late in the quarter to get their scoreboard ticking over.
Williamstown 7.8.50
Geelong 1.1.7
Second Quarter
The second quarter saw Geelong fight their way back into the game with more intensity creating a willing spectacle. Down back Peter Faulks was enjoying the contest with promising Geelong forward Mitch Brown, while down the other end Matthew Little found himself often having to deal with 2 Geelong opponents.
This however was creating space for other forwards and it was Jason Akermanis who registered his first goal in Seagull’s colours much to the delight of the travelling supporters. Young Western Jet Adam Kennedy impressed all with his poise, decision making and disposal, even setting up 2 goals in the quarter.
Williamstown extended their lead to 54 points at the break; however it wasn’t enough to save the boys from stern words from Coach Peter German, who demanded that team structures were adhered to in the second half.
Williamstown 10.12.72
Geelong 2.6.18
Third quarter
Revved up after the break, the Seagulls came out firing in the third quarter. Matthew Grossman continued his good form with lots of run and carry from the half back line. James Mulligan and Everitt were doing a good job of competing with Trent West in the ruck and Brodie Moles and Nathan Eagleton were winning plenty of football.
It was two Bulldogs however who stood out the most. Liam Jones showed why he is rated very highly at the club with some strong marking up forward. Jones kicked 2 goals and impressed all with his hard leading and attack on the football. At the other end of the age spectrum it was Jason Akermanis who looked like he found some vintage form, kicking 3 goals in a lively quarter to take the Seagulls to a 12 goal lead at 3 quarter time.
Williamstown 15.15.105
Geelong 4.9.33
Fourth Quarter
The last quarter went Geelong’s way narrowly eclipsing the Seagulls quarter by 3 points. Matthew Little kicked his 4th and could have easily had another couple if not for some unselfish play. Peter Faulks continued to deny Mitch Brown any space down back, while the rebounding Matthew Grossman would have been sure to catch the eye of the many AFL recruiters who were watching.
Recently elevated Bulldogs rookie Andrew Hooper registered his first for the day and Kennedy again proved that he was not out of his depth at all at VFL level, being named in the top 6 players for the Seagulls.
Williamstown 18.16 (124)
Geelong 7.13 (55)
Goals: Akermanis 5, Little 4, Jones 3, Everitt 3, Jolley, Hooper, Rose
Best Players: Jones, Faulks, Akermanis, Everitt, Tiller, Kennedy
Reserves Wrap
The Williamstown Reserves maintained top spot on the ladder with a tough 28 point victory over arch rivals Port Melbourne.
The game was in the balance for the first three quarters before a 6 goal last quarter saw the Seagulls home.
Former Gippsland Power captain led the way in the midfield with the support of Tom German and Jamason Daniels.
Captain Matthew Cravino showed his versatility kicking 4 goals, while down back Phil Smith and Dean Muir were solid all day.
Williamstown 2.0 6.1 10.3 16.8 (104)
Port Melbourne 4.1 6.6 9.8 11.10 (76)
Goals: Cravino 4, Panos 3, Daniels 2, Tanner 2, McCallum 2, German, Tutt, Cartelli, Carr
Best Players: Carr, Smith, Cravino, Daniels, German, Muir
What’s on next week...?
Next Saturday 17th July: Williamstown is back at home after two weeks on the road to face the Coburg Tigers at Burbank Oval.
Seniors at 2pm, Reserves at 11am.
Don’t forget you can follow all the latest news from the club on Twitter. Just head to www.twitter.com/WilliamstownFC
Williamstown Football Club is holding their inaugural “Community Day” on Saturday the 31st of July at our home game against the Bendigo Bombers. Highlights of the day will include kid’s activities, show bags, mascots, half time sprint, food and wine tasting festival plus much more! For more information please contact Football & Development Manager Chris Dixon on 9391 0309.
