Williamstown continued their recent dominance over western rival Werribee with a hard fought 13 point win at Chirnside Park on Sunday.
The Seagulls were able to withhold a late Werribee charge that saw the margin drop back to 8 points at one stage in the last quarter after the Seagulls had led all day.
It was Williamstown stalwarts Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley who led the way all day, while Jordan Roughead was dominant up forward kicking 3 goals.
Like all western derby’s, both teams were keen to come out firing — Werribee had the additional incentive of a top 4 spot up in front of their past players.
It was the visiting side however that came out of the blocks better kicking the first four goals of the game.
Ben Jolley was influential early winning plenty of clearances in the crucial midfield battle.
Jordan Roughead started at full-forward and was marking everything — kicking 2 first quarter goals to get the Seagulls on their way.
Josh Hill was lively up forward in the second quarter with 2 goals which gave the Gulls a 26 point lead at the main change.
The third quarter was a tough slog with both teams desperate to gain some momentum going into the last quarter.
It was goal for goal as both teams added 3 majors — the Seagulls taking a 27 point lead into the last change.
Ayce Cordy, David Stretton and Brennan Stack were solid down back but it was a risk-taking Werribee side that started to eat into the deficit.
Werribee made a game of it in the first 2 minutes of the final term kicking 2 early goals as a result of Williamstown turnovers.
A third Werribee goal brought the margin back to 8 points with the home side was throwing everything at the Seagulls.
Both sides were struggling to find quality inside 50 delivery and it wasn’t until Ed Carr marked strongly and goaled that the Seagulls were given a bit of breathing space.
Patrick Veszpremi was able to seal the game with his first of the match as Williamstown ran out winners again in a hard fought Western Derby.
Jordan Roughead impressed all day — the big man finishing with 3 goals, 8 marks along with 21 hit outs in a display that will no doubt put him in the selection mix for the Bulldogs this week.
Will Minson was another big man to put in a good performance, helping himself to 36 hitouts in a dominant ruck display.
Williamstown 4.6 8.7 11.10 13.11 (89)
Werribee Tigers 1.5 4.5 7.7 11.10 (76)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Hill 3 Roughead 3 Reid 2 Hahn 2 VESZPREMI Tutt Carr
BEST:
Williamstown: Jolley Johnson Roughead Cordy Stretton Howard
Development Report:
Williamstown has turned the tables on their Round 1 loss to Werribee by defeating them by 10 goals at reserves level.
Werribee kicked the first 2 goals of the game to spark the visitors into action as they went on to kicked the next 8 goals of the game to put the game beyond doubt.
The Seagulls backline was dominant all day with Nick Sing, Mathew Grossman, Stephen McCallum all stopping their opponents and providing lots of drive.
Zephaniah Skinner was a livewire in the second half, kicking 4 goals and providing immense tackling pressure as the Gulls ran out 60 point winners.
Williamstown 0.3 3.4 8.10 12.13 (85)
Werribee Tigers 2.0 2.1 2.3 5.7 (37)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Skinner 4 Purton-Smith 2 McHarg 2 McCallum Conway Morris Wilson
BEST:
Williamstown: Sing McCallum Skinner Cravino Grossman Walters
Next Week:
Williamstown heads up to Ballarat next week to take on the Roosters in a huge clash. It will be second v third on the ladder and Williamstown will be looking to get their first win against North Ballarat since 2008.
Williamstown v North Ballarat
Saturday the 30th of July
Eureka Stadium, Ballarat
Development 11am, Seniors 2pm.
