Williamstown has suffered their first loss of the 2011 campaign going down to local rivals Port Melbourne for the first time since 2008.
Both sides went into the game undefeated and expectations for an enthralling contest were high.
The Gulls however, produced their worst half of football of the year to trail by a massive 51 points at half time.
A stronger effort in the second half avoided a blow-out result, but the final margin of 53 was a true reflection of the day’s play.
The game was played in wet and muddy conditions with the more experienced Port Melbourne bodies adapting to the conditions better, gaining direct yardage at most stoppages.
An early Zephaniah Skinner goal from a good mark in the goal square gave the visitors some hope, but Port Melbourne continued to conjure goals from their forward 50 entries through sheer desperation.
A couple of soccer goals off the ground had the Borough high in confidence as they took a 5 goal lead in at the first change.
Peter German blasted his players for trying to play champagne football at the first break and pleaded with them to kick the ball long and direct.
A Matthew Panos goal gave the Seagulls some life, but the midfield work of Bentick, Baird and Lynch was instrumental in Port Melbourne’s first half dominance.
Youngsters Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Wallis were leading the way for the Seagulls while Brett Goodes helped repel many Port Melbourne attacks.
The second half required a big lift in effort from the visiting team as they faced a 51 point margin at the main break.
A more determined Williamstown team tried everything to claw their way back into the game, restricting Port Melbourne to just the two goals for the quarter.
Matthew Panos was able to restore some respectability in the last quarter for Williamstown as he kicked 3 goals that avoided the margin blowing out further.
Mitch Wallis, Brett Johnson and Luke Dahlhaus battled hard all day for the Towners, while Matthew Panos made the most of his opportunities up forward to kick 4 goals.
Port Melbourne 6.0 11.1 13.3 15.7 (97)
Williamstown 1.1 2.6 3.9 6.10 (46)
GOALS: Panos 4 Skinner Dahlhaus
BEST: Wallis Dahlhaus Goodes Hooper Panos Johnson
Williamstown Reserves lost their second game of the season by 25 points to Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval. Port Melbourne adapted to the wet conditions better in what was a scrappy game. Steve McCallum and Jack Frost performed solid defensive roles while Ed Carr, Matthew Cravino and Michael Fogarty won plenty of ball in the midfield. Nick Sing continues to push for a regular senior position with a best on ground performance.
Port Melbourne 1.1 3.2 6.4 8.4 (52)
Williamstown 0.2 1.4 1.5 3.9 (27)
GOALS: Fogarty Conway Knight
BEST: Sing Carr Johannisen Hoghton Frost McCallum
Next Week:
Williamstown will be looking to get back on the winners list with a clash against Collingwood at Victoria Park. Collingwood are coming off a close win against Geelong and will be a tough proposition for the Seagulls. In a quirk of the fixture the Development Squad will take on Port Melbourne again at Victoria Park.
Williamstown v Collingwood
Saturday the 21st of May
Victoria Park
Seniors 2pm
Development 11am
