Williamstown produced some mixed football to maintain their unbeaten season in 2011 with a 52 point victory over Coburg. It was far from a vintage performance as a couple of lapses saw Coburg dominate parts of the game as the Seagulls produced a hot and cold performance. The game saw Williamstown face off against former Development and Forward Line Coach Adam Potter for the first time since being appointed Senior Coach of Coburg. Potter, a much respected figure within Williamstown had a great insight into the Seagulls and had his side fired up to take on the visitors.

Once again the Seagulls were unable to come out of the blocks firing, with Coburg kicking the first two goals of the game. Coburg were full of energy and caught the Gulls on the hop with two quick goals before the Gulls could lay a hand on the ball. Williamstown eventually settled and worked into the game, with the old firm of Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley setting the tone in the middle of the ground and winning plenty of footy. Andrew Hooper was a livewire up forward early on with two first quarter goals which saw the Gulls take a slender lead in at the first change.

The second quarter saw the Seagulls take control of the game keeping the Tigers scoreless for the quarter as Coburg tried to take the heat out of the game. Zephi Skinner was providing many highlights with his aerial pursuits up forward while Mitch Hahn continues to show just how valuable he’ll be for the Seagulls in 2011. Down the other end of the ground young Seagulls Nick Sing and Stephen Witkowski were holding down the fort, allowing Mathew Grossman and Jayden Schofield to launch many attacks from half back. The Gulls went into the main break 31 points to the good.

The half time message from the coach focused on being aware of the game situation and continuing to play the game on our terms, despite Coburg’s attempts to take the sting out of the game. The Gulls were able to increase their lead through goals to Jason Tutt, Mitch Hahn and 2 to young Bulldogs rookie Luke Dahlhaus who has had a very impressive start to his VFL career. At the last change the Gulls were looking all but home with a 47 point margin.

Coburg came out firing in the last quarter eager to make some impact on the scoreboard, once again a lapse by the Seagulls hurt them and disappointed the coaching staff with Coburg kicking the first 4 goals of the quarter to bring the margin back to 4 goals with 15 minutes to play. The growing enthusiasm of the Coburg crowd stung the Seagulls into action as they were able to kick the last 5 goals of the game to run out 52 point winners in the end in a result that left the Seagulls coaching staff searching for answers for the inconsistent performance. Mitch Hahn finished with 4 goals and Andrew Hooper 3, Ben Jolley, Sam Reid and Brett Johnson were fantastic on ball all day and influential in the win.

Williamstown 4.6 7.10 11.14 17.16 (118)
Coburg Tigers 3.3 3.3 4.9 9.12 (66)

Goals: Hahn 4 Hooper 3 Dahlhaus 2 Skinner 2 Howard Schofield Jolley Tutt Panos Reid
Best: Jolley Hahn Skinner Reid Goodes Johnson

Development Report:
Williamstown came from behind to beat Coburg in the Development Squad by 21 points. A slow start saw the Gulls 18 points behind at the main break, but a strong second half allowed Williamstown to overrun the Tigers kicking 11 goals to 5 after half time to run out victors.

Captain Matthew Cravino was instrumental winning the ball from the middle of the ground all day. He was ably supported by first year player Dylan Conway, Kwame McHarg, Josh Griffiths, Steve McCallum and Michael Fogarty. Jack Purton-Smith was the main destroyed up forward kicking 4 goals all in the second half.

Coburg Tigers 1.1 4.5 6.9 9.11 (65)
Williamstown 0.3 1.5 5.10 12.14 (86)

Goals: Purton-Smith 4 McHarg 2 Knight 2 Frost Kefford Hill Morris
Best: Conway Cravino Fogarty McHarg Walters Purton-Smith

This week:

Williamstown is back at Werribee hosting Sandringham in the Match of the Round. The game is broadcast live on ABC TV at 1pm.
Saturday 7 May Williamstown v Sandringham
Werribee Oval
Reserves 10am, Seniors 1.10pm (ABC TV Broadcast)

Let’s see a big crowd there to watch the Seagulls in action!