Williamstown made 4 changes to the side which defeated Werribee the previous Sunday - into the side came Bulldogs rookie Brodie Moles and ruckman Jordan Roughead who both returned from injury, Sam Reid was promoted after playing 3 weeks in the Reserves and Western Jets small forward Jesse Fortune was given a game as the 23rd player. Out of the side went Jeremy Mugavin, Josh Griffiths and Ed Carr who were dropped to the Reserves whilst Will Minson received a call up to the Bulldogs senior side.
Coburg boasted 1:4 win loss ratio after losing their previous game to the Casey Scorpions by 73 points the previous week.
First Quarter
Williamstown were keen to get off to a good start after a very ordinary opening half the previous week against Werribee. The Coburg Tigers bounced out of the blocks in an aggressive fashion and quickly kicked the opening goal after a turnover from Liam Jones. Williamstown were again lethargic as the Coburg players dominated the opening quarter with goals to Lawton, Thomson, Collins, Hislop and Duhau.
The Seagulls were flat footed and failed to generate any run even after Andrew Hooper kicked a solitary goal.
The Tigers established a 31 point lead at the first break.
Williamstown 1.3
Coburg 6.4
Second Quarter
Coburg again started the quarter well; however they wasted numerous opportunities to extend their lead with inaccurate kicking for goal.
The Seagulls were able to neutralise the game but they too suffered from inaccuracy in front of goal.
Matthew Grossman, Brett Johnson, David Stretton, Brodie Moles and Ben Davies increased their work rate as the Seagulls kicked goals through Matthew Little and Johnson to reduce the lead to 25 points at the long break.
Williamstown 3.10
Coburg 7.11
Third Quarter
Coach Peter German had stern words with his team at half time and the response was visible with 5 goals kicked in the opening 8 minutes of the third. Ruckman Jordan Roughead who had been quiet in the opening half began to dominate the centre bounces and the Seagulls continually swept forward in waves which put the Coburg defence under enormous pressure.
Goals to Little (2), Moles (2), Panos (2), Davies, Johnson, Reid, Daniels and German transformed a 25 point deficit to a 42 point lead at the final break. Coburg’s only goal came from ex-Bulldog Jordan McMahon who soccered a goal from a stoppage in their forward pocket.
Williamstown 14.17
Coburg 8.11
Fourth Quarter
Williamstown continued their dominance with the defence through Faulks, Boumann, Wood, Grossman, Muir and Tiller providing plenty of run. Kwame McHarg in only his third game continued to gain in confidence as did Sam Reid and Jamason Daniels. Matthew Little continued his fine form, kicking another 2 majors with Jesse Fortune, Andrew Hooper, Patrick Rose and Brodie Moles also adding majors.
A Jake King goal for the Tigers after the siren brought the margin back to 57 points.
Williamstown 20.18 (138)
Coburg 11.15 (81)
Goal Kickers: Little 5, Moles 3, Hooper 2, Panos 2, Johnson 2, Davies, Reid, Daniels, Fortune, Rose, German
Best Players: Grossman, Moles, Johnson, Muir, Daniels, McHarg
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown continued their unbeaten run by recording a 22 point victory over a determined Coburg side. Adam Potter coached against his former side for the first time and it was a battle all day.
Bulldogs top draft pick Christian Howard had his first game after under going hip surgery early in the pre-season and fellow draftee Jason Tutt returned after missing 2 weeks with an ankle injury.
Re-born forward Mick Tanner was a shining light and kicked 5 goals from centre half forward in an outstanding display. He received strong support from Matthew Cravino, James Mulligan, Jeremy Mugavin and Luke Cartelli.
Williamstown 5.1 9.6 11.10 16.12 (108)
Coburg 2.3 4.7 7.12 12.14 (86)
Goal Kickers: Tanner 5, Lee 2, DiMartino 2, Young 2, Carr 2, Cravino, Mugavin, Fenton
Best Players: Tanner, Mulligan, Sing, Cartelli, Wilson, Cravino
What’s on next week?
Next Week (Saturday 22nd May) is the State Game - VFL v WAFL in Perth.
The following week, Saturday 29th May Williamstown meets Box Hill at Burbank Oval.
Reserves - 11am
Seniors - 2pm
A President’s Luncheon will be held in the Social Rooms from 12noon - 2pm. Bookings Essential.
To book or for more information please contact Brendan Curry or Nicole Hopkinson on 9391 0309.
