Williamstown have continued their rich vein of form, with a thrilling comeback victory over the Werribee Tigers at Avalon Oval on Sunday.
Trailing by 39-points at quarter time, the Seagulls turned the contest around in a typically gutsy fashion, eventually prevailing 17.18.110 to Port Melbourne’s 15.13. 103.
Werribee have not registered a defeat over Williamstown at their home ground for nearly seven years and after Sunday’s 7 point win that streak is still intact.
While Werribee Coach Scott West talked down the importance of Williamstown’s hold over his men, from the first bounce the Tigers were in scintillating touch, eager to prove themselves to their western rivals.
The Tigers dominated the first term winning the contested ball and applying immense defensive pressure, looking particularly dangerous in their forward 50 to kick seven goals to Williamstown’s one.
The beginning of the second quarter saw much of the same from the home side, dominating play across the ground but inaccuracy stifled Werribee’s ability to hurt Williamstown on the scoreboard and allowed the Seagulls an avenue back into the game.
The Seagulls found their feet midway through the second term, beginning to work their way into the contest while their spread and pace around the ground began to cause havoc for Werribee’s men.
Goals to Tom Hill and Cameron Lockwood before the main change kept the Tigers in check, reducing the margin to 16 points.
Momentum continued to go Williamstown’s way in the third quarter as they continued to chip away at the margin.
Consecutive goals to Tory Dickson allowed the Seagulls to take the lead for the first time in the clash before a late goal to Werribee ensured they were in front going into the final term.
In the fourth quarter costly errors saw Williamstown sitting in a precarious position, 17 points down with five minutes left on the clock
Damien Bugeja went on to score two vital goals before a Jason Tutt bomb from outside 50 saw the Seagulls regain the lead in a nailbiting finish.
A Jack Redpath goal after the siren ensured Williamstown finished deserved 7-point winners.
Captain Ben Jolley was instrumental in Williamstown's fightback, leading from the front with his competitiveness, clean disposal and work around the stoppages.
While, Tom Campbell won his duel with the mercurial Majak Daw and utilized his size effectively in every contest he entered.
Next weekend Williamstown will need to draw on their momentum as they travel to face an undefeated Port Melbourne outfit in a highly anticipated Grand Final replay.
Werribee Tigers 7.6 9.10 12.12 15.13 (103)
Williamstown 1.3 7.6 12.8 17.8 (110)
GOALS:
Williamstown: Hill 4 Dickson 3 Redpath 2 Bugeja 2 Smith Lockwood Jolley Panos Tutt Jong
BEST:
Williamstown: Jolley Jong Hill Goodes Campbell Pearce
- With James Gray-Foster
