Williamstown solidified their position in the top two with an emphatic 77 point win over the Bendigo Bombers in their round 13 clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The fourth placed Bombers were only 4 points behind the Seagulls heading into the match, but with the visiting side dominating proceedings after the quarter time break, they firmly established themselves as the main contender to ladder leader Port Melbourne.
A five goal to two first quarter saw the home side in front by three goals at the first break.
The quarter started well for the Seagulls, with Jarrad Grant kicking his first goal of the game with just over a minute on the clock, however the bombers hit back kicking five of the next six and taking momentum into the second period.
The visiting side looked a different team in the second period, wrestling back the ascendancy on the back of the hard work from experienced trio Brett Johnson, Ben Jolley and Ben Davies.
In one of their best single quarter performances of the season so far, the Seagulls kicked eight unanswered goals to flip the contest on its head.
First gamer Jack Frost was outstanding down back, putting in a performance that will give coach Peter German the type of headaches he needs heading into the pointy end of the season.
Carrying a 27 point advantage into the third term, the Gulls continued where they left off, booting another 8 consecutive goals in what turned out to be a rather one sided contest.
The home side hit back with three late goals, reducing the deficit, however the Seagulls had all but wrapped up the points with a 62 point lead at three quarter time.
The Seagulls were in no mood to rest on their laurels, instead kicking 7 goals to bury their opponents.
Ed Carr built on his promising display last week, kicking a goal and racking up 26 disposals in his second senior performance for the year.
Bulldogs key defender Brian Lake was pushed forward, kicking two goals, while the impressive Jarrad Grant kicked 8 goals for the match in a best on ground performance.
Grant impacted on the scoreboard, but his defensive efforts and hunger to get his hands on the ball were outstanding.
The win gives the Seagulls a four point lead over the third placed Northern Bullants, who they play next week at Preston City Oval .
2011 VFL Seniors
Bendigo Bombers 5.2 6.4 9.5 13.9 (87)
Williamstown 2.2 10.7 18.13 25.16 (166)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Grant 8 Hooper 4 Lake 3 Tutt 2 Carr 2 Goodes 2 Johnson Jolley Djerrkura Reid
BEST:
Williamstown: Grant Johnson Hooper Djerrkura Hill Roughead
Development side
A disappointing performance from the Seagulls saw them slump to a 43 point loss at the hands of Sandringham on Sunday.
Struggling to adjust to the windy conditions, the development side were never really in the contest, trailing at every interval.
David Stretton and Matthew Cravino, the only real shining lights for the Seagulls, both racked up 42 possessions, as the visiting side struggled to find contributors across the board.
The defeat sees the development side maintain third place, and they will be looking to regain top spot in the coming weeks with much improved displays.
2011 VFL Reserves
Sandringham 4.2 8.5 11.6 14.13 (97)
Williamstown 2.2 3.4 6.6 8.6 (54)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Purton-Smith 2 Johannisen Witkowski McHarg Lawson Panos Prato
BEST:
Williamstown: Stretton Cravino McHarg Smith Witkowski Wilson
Next Week
Williamstown travel to Preston City Oval on Sunday to take on the third placed Northern Bullants.
Sunday 3rd July
Preston City Oval
Seniors side 2:00 pm
Development side 11:00 am
