Williamstown faced Port Melbourne in a crucial clash at TEAC Oval last Saturday in a game that will have a significant impact on the finishing places in the top three on the ladder. Williamstown was forced to make six compulsory changes to the side that defeated Tasmania by 151 points in Round 16.

 

Adam Cook, Shaun Higgins and Tom Williams missed through injury and Peter Street, Tim Callan and Callan Ward were promoted to the Western Bulldogs main team. Into the side came Bulldogs youngsters Josh Hill and Andrejs Everitt while James Beaumont, Nathan Lyons, Callum Urch and Bulldog Jarrad Boumann were promoted from the reserves.

 

 

In a physical opening of the game, both clubs were committed to gain an early advantage. An inaccurate Port Melbourne squandered a number of opportunities in front of goal as David Stretton and Patrick Rose kicked early goals. Ben Jolley and Brett Johnson were prominent in the midfield and up back Kane McKenzie and Cameron Lockwood were providing plenty of run. Port was receiving great impact from Toby Pinwill, Chris Cain and David Spriggs as they finally kicked accurately to record two majors.

 

 

Port Melbourne was beginning to play the better football and their backline was standing tall and providing plenty of rebound through Smith, Brewer, Livingston and McGrath. Lively forward Nahas kicked a couple of opportunistic goals and Hassett was having an influence off the wing. A couple of poor kicks resulted in Port goals as the Burra established a handy lead. Cameron Wight had to leave the ground with a broken jaw and then Bonaddio was reported for his crude tackle on Easton Wood as tempers from both sides reached fever pitch.

 

 

The crucial third quarter was going to be a defining period in the game as both sides traded early goals. It was a gripping contest as players from both clubs gave their all in a very willing game. Key Port Melbourne player John Baird was beginning to exert his influence as tall forward Bonaddio took a couple of big grabs. Willi captain Brett Johnson was inspiring as Bulldogs Guy O’Keefe and Sam Reid along with Jason Cloke were prominent. A couple of late goals extended the Port lead to 14 points at the break.

 

 

Port was able to extend their lead after play was a battle between both half back lines for the first 10 minutes. Hassett and Baird scored to extend the lead to five goals. Williamstown was not going to lay down as they peppered the goals but inaccuracy was costly. Urch and Stretton kicked majors to reduce the lead to 11 points as the quarter hit the 25 minute mark. Williamstown pushed forward and Matthew Little marked inside 50 but his shot hit the post and a minute later the siren sounded as Port Melbourne were victorious by 10 points.

 

 

Goalkickers: Rose 3, Johnson 2, Stretton 2, Beaumont 1, Little 1, Urch 1, Hill 1, Reid 1, O’Keefe 1 and Cloke 1.

 

Best Players : Jolley, Johnson, McKenzie, Skipper, Wood, Cloke.

 

 

Williamstown defeated an in form Port Melbourne reserves side by 38 points.

 

 

Goalkickers:  Miller 4, Georgiadis 2, White 2, Dickson 2, Mulligan 1, O’Shea 1, Dullard 1, Cravino 1, Knight 1, Gotch 1, Galea 1

 

Best Players : Miller, White, Cravino, Dickson, Grossman, Cartelli.