Williamstown has won its way through to a VFL semi final match-up against the Casey Scorpions after recording a 12-point win against the Bendigo Gold on Saturday.
After a sluggish start, the young Seagulls line-up broke the game open in the second and third quarters before surviving a late scare.
Converting early opportunities, Bendigo started the better of the two sides with Essendon-listed midfielder Sam Lonergan kicking two first quarter goals to help the Gold to a 19-point buffer at the first change.
View the Photo Gallery from the Williamstown vs Bendigo Gold Elimination Final here.
Some strong words from coach Peter German at quarter time saw the Seagulls take to the field a completely different side in the second term, with Brett Goodes asserting his influence set through the middle of the ground and kicking two goals in as many minutes early to claw back the margin.
After starting back, a switch forward for Fletcher Roberts paid dividends, with a strong chase and tackle rewarded with a free-kick and goal from close range. With a marked increase in endeavor and attack around the contest, Seagulls again goaled late in the term through Tom Hill to establish a 14 point margin in Williamstown’s favour at the main break.
Williamstown’s dominance continued in the third term, but missed opportunities in front of goal prevented the dominance around the contest being seen on the scoreboard.
Controlling every facet of the quarter, including nine scoring shots to three, Williamstown led by 30 points at the final change but it could have been more.
With Bendigo chipping away at the margin early in the fourth term, a five goal lead was soon five points, as the Seagulls’ free flowing play of the previous two terms slowed. With the game in the clinches and the Seagulls staring down the barrel of an early exit from September action, Williamstown’s experienced heads in Ben Jolley, Brett Goodes and Cameron Lockwood helped steady the ship.
A Bendigo error from a kick in presented an opportunity for Patrick Veszpremi, who duly converted and sealed a 12-point win with his second goal of the day.
Williamstown 0.2 6.7 10.12 11.17 (83)
Bendigo 3.4 4.5 6.6 10.11 (71)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Veszpremi 2 Goodes 2 Hill 2 Charleston McHarg Panos Roberts Wall
BEST:
Williamstown: Jolley Goodes Frost Charleston Witkowski Wall
NEXT WEEK:
SENIORS:
WILLIAMSTOWN V CASEY
SATURDAY THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER
CASEY FIELDS, CRANBOURNE
2:10PM
DEVELOPMENT:
WILLIAMSTOWN V COBURG
SATURDAY THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER
CASEY FIELDS, CRANBOURNE
11:00AM
