Williamstown VS Northern Bullants Match Report
Williamstown and Northern Bullants played at Visy Park in Round 9, with both clubs coming off losses in Round 8.
Williamstown made a couple of changes – Tom Langlands and Malcolm Lynch were promoted from the Reserves and Scott Sherlock from the Western Jets was given his first senior game as the 23rd player. Out of the side went Easton Wood who was injured and Brennan Stack was promoted for his first AFL game.
First Quarter
The Bullants began in ominous fashion by kicking the opening 4 goals of the game. Their efficiency in their forward 50 was impressive and it took Willi 15 minutes to adjust and start to play with some cohesion. Matthew Little was continuing his fine form and kicked 2 goals which was followed by majors to Patrick Rose, Ben Davies and Wayde Skipper to lead by 7 points at quarter time.
Williamstown 6.2 Northern Bullants 5.1
Second Quarter
The Bullants dominated the second quarter with Cameron Cloke and Jason Saddington dominant up forward with their marking and their on ballers Jordan Bannister, Richard Hadley, Mitch Robinson and Adam Iacobucci dominant. Williamstown was under siege and were forced into skill errors and were unable to weather the onslaught, which resulted in an 8 goal to 2 quarter and a 27 point lead at the long break.
Williamstown 8.6 Northern Bullants 13.3
Third Quarter
Williamstown bounced back after twice trailing by 34 points during the quarter to claw their way back to 6 points behind. Patrick Rose was inspirational up forward against Chris Johnson by kicking 3 goals himself and setting up another 2 goals to team mates. Williamstown’s momentum received a setback when the Bullants kicked the final goal of the quarter to re-establish a 13 point lead.
Williamstown 14.8 Northern Bullants 16.9
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter saw a contrast in the efficiency of both sides. The Bullants kicked 4.4 to Willi’s 0.6 behinds to have an important victory by 35 points. The Bullants now join the Seagulls at 6-2 with both clubs trailing reigning premiers North Ballarat who are 7-1.
Williamstown 14.14 (98) Northern Bullants 20.13 (133)
Goalkickers: P. Rose 4, M. Little 4, T. Langlands 1, B. Davies 1, A. Cordy 1, W. Skipper 1, D. Stretton 1, C. Egan 1
Best Players: P. Rose, B. Davies, M. Little, S. Reid, A. Everitt, D. Stretton
Reserve's Wrap
Williamstown recorded their 8th consecutive victory by 48 points in a hard fought victory over the Northern Bullants.
Williamstown 5.5 8.7 13.10 16.14 (110)
Northern Bullants 1.2 6.3 7.10 8.14 (62)
Goalkickers: Galea 3, Roughead 2, Gotch 1, Joyce 1, Cravino 1, Miller 1, Daniels 1, Shaw 1, Cartelli 1, Georgiadis 1, Sharp 1, Florance 1, Grossman 1.
Best Players: J. Roughead, X. Gotch, M. Grossman, L. Cartelli, J. Shaw, M. Cravino
What's on next week...
Next week in Round 10, the VFL has a split round with our Reserves playing Werribee this Saturday (13th June) at Werribee commencing at 10:20am.
The following Saturday (20th June) Williamstown hosts Geelong at Burbank Oval, with the curtain raiser game between Western Jets and Oakleigh Chargers at 11:10am.