Williamstown traveled to North Ballarat to play in the 2nd Qualifying Final on Sunday. Williamstown made three changes to the side that lost its Round 20 game against Werribee, which resulted in the side forfeiting top spot and an opportunity to host a home final.

Into the side came Wayde Skipper and Sam Reid, dropped from the Bulldogs senior side, while Dylan Addison returned after a six week layoff with a knee injury. Out of the side went Farren Ray, promoted to the Bulldogs, and Tom Langlands and James Beaumont who were dropped to the reserves.

North Ballarat had won nine of their ten home games during the home and away season including a 47-point victory over Williamstown in Round 12.

First Quarter

North Ballarat won the toss and kicked with the wind but it was Williamstown who controlled the early part of the game. Ben Jolley, Brett Johnson and Callan Ward were prominent but it was Ballarat who kicked the opening goal through Captain Shaun Moloney. That was followed up by major to goal sneak Billy Driscoll.

The Seagulls opened their account through Johnson and Ward whilst Easton Wood was lively. For the Roosters Eddie Sansbury was dominating his wing and young defenders Daniel Feery and Matthew Sharkey were prominent. Down back Scott Meyer, Cameron Wight, Kane McKenzie and Stephen Tiller were rebounding and defending grimly for the Seagulls. Andrejs Everitt kicked a great running goal to restrict the quarter time lead to 10 points.

Williamstown 3.4 (22) North Ballarat 5.2 (32)

Second Quarter

Williamstown now had their opportunity to use the breeze but North Ballarat were playing well through midfielders Brett Goodes, Andrew Swallow, Blake Grima and Tom Roach.

Patrick Rose was having an intriguing battle with 150 gamer Marc Greig but missed a number of set shots after winning the ball. Big men Peter Street and Wayde Skipper were battling with Orren Stephenson and Josh Smith to gain control in the midfield.

Ward kicked his second major and then Rose kicked two goals to open up a lead for the Seagulls. Ballarat bounced back with goals to Spolding and Wundke although a late goal to Matthew Little opened up a three-point buffer at the long break.

Williamstown 7.8 (50) North Ballarat 7.5 (47)

Third Quarter

With the game in the balance the third quarter was going to be critical to the outcome of the game and it was the Roosters who lifted their intensity from the first bounce. Tall forward Paul McMahon kicked the opening two goals and were then followed up goals to from Driscoll and Goodes to give the Roosters a four goal lead.

Ballarat were dominating out of the centre and around the stoppages but a series of misses kept Williamstown in touch. Just as the lead increased to 28 points the Seagulls rallied with consecutive goals to Cameron Wight who had been moved forward before Ward kicked a great banana goal from a stoppage.

Williamstown then had two set shots by Rose and Little to reduce the lead to eight-points but both missed and then Ballarat swept the ball forward for Smith to mark and goal after the siren to re-establish a 20 point lead.

Williamstown 10.10 (70) North Ballarat 13.12 (90)

Fourth Quarter

With the wind at their backs Williamstown needed early goals to cut into the Ballarat lead but it was the home team who were controlling the tempo of the game and maintaining possession.

Dropped Kangaroo Corey Jones was a key player all day and he was again prominent in the last quarter. Interchange player Dean Chester kicked the opening goal of the quarter as the Roosters had control of the game. Ward kicked his fourth goal but a series of missed shots hurt the Seagulls.

Ballarat kicked the sealer through Marc Greig but Williamstown got the final goal through Matthew Little as North Ballarat cruised into the Preliminary Final and a week’s break.

Williamstown 12.14 (86) North Ballarat 15.16 (106)

Goals: Ward 4, Rose 2, Little 2, Wight 2, Johnson 1, Everitt 1

Best: Ward, Picken, Jolley, Wood, McKenzie, Meyer

Next Saturday Williamstown plays Frankston at Port Melbourne on Saturday 13th September commencing at 1.10pm. Frankston had a stirring come from behind victory over Coburg by six-points last Saturday. Williamstown and Frankston only met once during the home and away season, Williamstown winning their home clash in Round 10 by 14 points.

Reserves Wrap

Williamstown played the undefeated Coburg in the second semi final at Port Melbourne. Coburg and Williamstown only met on one occasion during the home and away season with Coburg victorious by 51 points.

Williamstown was strengthened with the inclusion of four players – Tom Langlands and James Beaumont were dropped from the seniors whilst Matthew Miller and Nick Georgiadis returned from injury and illness.

In the first half Williamstown was unable to capitalize on their opportunities as they kicked three goals and 13 behinds to Coburg’s seven goals, six behinds.

Coburg looked the more polished side but in the second half a dramatic change occurred with Williamstown winning the ball out of the centre and they had two key forwards in Murray Boyd and Jarrod Boumann who begun to mark the ball and dominate. The whole Williamstown side lifted and they kicked 15 goals to two in the second half to record a 66 point victory and to power into the Grand Final in two weeks time.

Williamstown 2.7 3.13 10.17 18.22 (132)
Coburg 2.2 7.6 8.7 9.10 (64)

Goals: Boumann 7, Cravino 3, Boyd 2, Shaw 2, Cartelli 2, Georgiadis 1, Young 1

Best: Boyd, Cravino, Boumann, Cartelli, Langlands, Beaumont