Williamstown headed to North Ballarat in Round 12 VFL action on Saturday. Williamstown was forced to make 4 changes including Peter Street (suspended) and Steven Greeene (injured). Stephen Tiller and Josh Hill were promoted to the Western Bulldogs side that played Port Adelaide in Darwin.

 Into the side came Paul O’Shea, Malcolm Lynch, Kane McKenzie and Jackson Barling. North Ballarat were fired up to celebrate Coach Gerard Fitzgerald’s 200^th game as VFL Coach.

 

Williamstown’s recent record of poor starts continued when North Ballarat jumped out of the blocks with the opening 2 goals by Paul McMahon. Williamstown looked listless in the windy conditions and several skill errors resulted in turnovers which resulted in Ballarat goals. Scott Meyer was prominent in the ruck and Liam Picken was busy in the midfield. The Seagulls appeared flat footed and were unable to generate any flow in their game. North Ballarat were dominant as they kicked their fifth goal of the quarter.

 

Williamstown 0.2 (2)                  North Ballarat 5.4 (34)

 

The trend of the game continued in the second quarter with North Ballarat dominating all over the ground. Grima, Clifton, Goodes, Lower, Swallow and Sewell were continually winning the ball and the Seagulls defence was under siege. Jason Cloke was practically playing a lone hand and when Roosters defender Marc Greig drifted up the ground and kicked a long goal the half time lead had been extended to 53 points. 

 

Williamstown 2.6 (18)                North Ballarat 11.5 (71)

 

Williamstown begun the third quarter with greater intent and begun to win the ball from the stoppages – Captain Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley, David Stretton, Liam Picken and Jarrod Harbrow were prominent whilst Sam Reid had an outstanding quarter. Unfortunately inaccurate kicking for goal resulted in Williamstown kicking 3 goals 6 behinds which was not a true reflection of their dominance during this quarter.

 

Williamstown 5.12 (42)               North Ballarat 12.7 (79)

 

The game opened up a bit in the final quarter and when Matthew Little goaled early the lead had been reduced to 5 goals. The game was sealed when costly turnovers again resulting with North Ballarat inflicting the biggest scoreboard penalty to the Seagulls. Up forward Dean Galea’s good work resulted in 3 final quarter goals but it had been a very ordinary effort by the top of the ladder side which had won 7 games straight.  

 

Williamstown 9.13 (67)               North Ballarat 17.13 (115)

 

Williamstown          0.2      2.6        5.12       9.13 (67)

North Ballarat         5.4      11.5      12.7       17.13 (115)

 

Goalkickers: Galea 4, Rose 1, Little 1, Picken 1, Reid 1, O’Keefe 1    

 

Best Players: Picken, Cloke, Johnson, Harbrow, Meyer, Reid     

 

Williamstown continued their unbeaten run and recorded their 10^th consecutive victory with an 89 point victory over the fifth placed North Ballarat. Cameron Lockwood was outstanding and young Western Bulldogs players Jarrod Boumann, James Mulligan and Henry White continue their good form. Small Forward Timmy Jenkins kicked another 4 goals to make it 9 goals in 2 weeks. 

 

Williamstown          5.4     10.6     14.9     21.13 (139)

Northern Bullants    0.2      3.4      7.6        7.8 (50)

 

Goalkickers: Jenkins 4, Lockwood 4, Boumann 3, Young 3, Miller 2, White 2, Chiu 1, Boyd 1, Mulligan 1.

 

Best Players: Lockwood, Boumann, Boyd, Beaumont, Keddell, Mulligan