The Seagulls had winners all over the ground but the influence of big men Will Minson, who gathered 22 disposals, Jordan Roughead (19 disposals, 1 goal) and Andrejs Everitt (3 goals from 14 disposals, 9 marks) were particularly telling in the wet conditions as Williamstown won 22.10 (142) to 7.6 (48).
Forward Matt Little claimed the Frosty Miller Medal with 5 goals for the day finishing with 80 for the season and Patrick Rose contributed 3 goals as Ben Jolley gathered 20 disposals in another solid performance.
In contrast it was a tough day for the Hawks who had won their previous seven games with Sam Gibson their best for the day kicking a contender for goal of the year from 17 disposals as Gary Moss gathered 19 disposals in the midfield.
A heavy downpour just before the bounce made for scrappy conditions early with the opening minutes played exclusively in Box Hill's forward half before Cameron Lockwood opened the scoring after he ran into an open goal with Williamstown's first inside 50 of the game.
Box Hill got their first after an inspiring bit of play from Sam Gibson who ran the length of the ground and was involved in a chain of handballs before steadying to kick truly from deep in the left forward pocket.
Matt Little submitted his own contender for goal of the year when a kick off the ground from deep in the right forward pocket curved magnificently through for his 76th of the season.
Williamstown were soon on top when Andrejs Everitt goaled after marking uncontested then Matt Little kicked his second when he took a strong grab on the lead and kicked truly from 50 metres.
Jayden Hoegel gave Box Hill their second reducing margin to 13 points but Jordan Roughead, who had reportedly flown to Sydney as an emergency for the Western Bulldogs, marked and goaled soon after as he dominated around the ground all day.
Dane Rampe kicked a long mongrel punt from outside 50 to push the margin to 25 points as Williamstown dominated the quarter.
Williamstown demonstrated Geelong-like football, cutting in from the back flanks and running the ball through the middle, and this link up play finished with a perfect long kick from Pat Rose to the advantage of Matt Little who took a comfortable mark 25 metres out and slotted his third goal four minutes into the second quarter.
Patrick Rose was on the receiving end soon after with a mark in the goal square and Andrew Hooper pushed the half-time margin out further with a snap from 30 metres.
In a sign of the Seagulls dominance Box Hill didn't take their first mark inside 50 until four minutes into the 3rd quarter but Garry Moss couldn't convert pushing his shot across the face of goal.
Three minutes of football in which Williamstown slammed home three goals from Matt Little, Tom German, then Andrejs Everitt ended the contest.
Matt Little turned provider when he booted the ball deep inside 50 for Brennan Stack to kick the Seagulls sixth of the quarter and take a 73 point lead into the last change.
Patrick Rose kicked a spectacular goal out of mid-air for his third as Brennan Stack joined the party with two goals for the quarter.
Box Hill grabbed two goals in a row from Ryan Jackson and Liam Shiels but were held to their lowest score of the season as Williamstown ran out comfortable winners.
Williamstown head into the finals as premiership favourites and will play Port Melbourne on Saturday the 28th at Box Hill City Oval.
Box Hill Hawks 2.1 4.2 5.3 7.6-48
Williamstown 6.2 11.2 17.4 22.10-142
Box Hill Hawks
Goals: S. Gibson, L. Shiels, R. Jackson, G. Moss, J. Hoegel, T. Duryea, T. Tuck
Best: S. Gibson, L. Shiels, G. Moss, W. Sierakowski, R. Schoenmakers, C. Pedersen
Williamstown
Goals: M. Little 5, B. Stack 3, A. Everitt 3, P. Rose 3, T. German 2, J. Hill 2, D. Rampe, J. Roughead, A. Hooper, C. Lockwood
Best: W. Minson, A. Everitt, J. Roughead, B. Jolley, M. Little, P. Rose
Reserves Report:
Williamstown Reserves made amends for their Round 7 loss against Box Hill by putting in a magnificent performance to cement top spot on the ladder heading into finals. Despite a poor first quarter in which Box Hill kicked 5 goals to 1, then young Seagulls responded well to kick 10 goals to 2 after quarter time to record a 29 point victory.
In a great overall team performance young guns Michael Fogarty, Dean Muir, Josh Griffiths and Phil Smith stood out, while the experience and class of Matthew Cravino and Luke Cartelli shone through their desperation and leadership. Bulldogs youngster Matthew Panos provided plenty of highlights with some strong contested marks and three goals.
The reserves now have a week off and will face either Port Melbourne or Sandringham in a preliminary final.
Williamstown 1.4 3.5 7.7 11.11.77
Box Hill Hawks 5.2 6.2 7.6 7.6-48
Goals: M. Panos 3, N. Dimartino, D. Lawson, E. Prato, E. Carr, M. Cravino, J. Daniels, M. Tanner, S. McCallum
Best Players: M. Fogarty, L. Cartelli, M. Cravino, D. Muir, J. Wilson, P. Smith
NEXT WEEK:
While the reserves have a week off the Seniors head back to Box Hill City Oval on Saturday the 28th of August to host Port Melbourne in the first qualifying final. The game starts at 2pm.
A supporters bus will leave 1 Mason Street, Newport at 2pm. Cost for a return trip to Box Hill is $7.
For all the latest news from the club head to www.twitter.com/WilliamstownFC
