Williamstown made five changes to the side which lost to North Ballarat by 47 points last week. Bulldogs pair Peter Street and Callan Ward came into to the side, the former returning from a week’s suspension. Cameron Lockwood, James Beaumont and Nathan Lyons were promoted from the reserves.
Out of the side went Malcolm Lynch, Easton Wood, Andrew McDougall, Jackson Barling and Tom Langlands.
First Quarter
Williamstown kicked to the favoured end after captain Brett Johnson won the toss but it was the Scorpions who jumped out of the blocks with the opening two goals through Jack Steven and Shane Birss.
It was a physical game and the Scorpions, who had won their previous four games, were strengthened by the inclusions of St Kilda players Steven Baker, David Armitage, Robert Eddy, Michael Rix and their captain Kyle Matthews who dominated the early passages of play.
Half back Brennan Stack drifted down to kick the Seagulls opening major which was followed by goals to Dean Galea and Matthew Little. Patrick Rose was lively early and Bulldog Jarrod Harbrow was also prominent.
The Scorpions were able to kick another two goals into the wind whilst a couple of late goals by Nathan Lyons and Guy O’Keefe enabled the seagulls to establish an 11-point lead at the first break.
Williamstown 5.5.35 Casey Scorpions 4.0.24
Second Quarter
Williamstown seemed to play better into the wind and undoubtedly the side had a harder edge about them after last week’s poor performance. Ben Jolley, Kane McKenzie, Cameron Lockwood, Sam Reid, Callan Ward and David Stretton were combining well as they extended their lead with the opening two goals of the quarter.
Liam Picken was playing an inspiring game as he closely played on the Scorpions key on-baller Shane Birss. Williamstown big men Cameron Wight, Jason Cloke and Street were all playing key roles as the Seagulls controlled the tempo of the game.
As time on approached the Scorpions rallied by kicking the final three goals of the quarter to reduce the half time deficit to five points in a crackerjack game of VFL football.
Williamstown 8.9.57 Casey Scorpions 8.4.52
Third Quarter
Casey begun well by kicking the opening goal of the second half to regain the lead. Matthew Ferguson, Raphael Clarke and Jarryn Geary were prominent but the Scorpions wasted a number of opportunities to increase their lead.
Adam Cook was an excellent target up forward with his strong attack on the ball and Scott Meyer soared over his opponent to take the mark of the day. Johnson, Harbrow, Reid and Lockwood were giving the Seagulls real impetus through the midfield as Street exerted a strong influence on the game.
Both sides endeavour could not be questioned as the physical aspect of the game was uncompromising. Callan Ward took an outstanding courageous mark running with the flight to inspire his team mates and Johnson roved his kick to extend the lead to ten points. This didn’t seem enough with the Scorpions to have the wind at their back in the last quarter.
Williamstown 11.14.80 Casey Scorpions 10.10.70
Fourth Quarter
With top spot up for grabs for the winner the last quarter was going to be a last man standing affair and it was the Scorpions who kicked the opening goal to reduce the lead.
This seemed to inspire the Seagulls who were ignited by the aggression and fierce tackling of Cameron Lockwood to respond with goals from Harbrow, Picken and O’Keefe. Williamstown had the opportunity to seal the game but some indifferent kicking for goal left the door ajar for Scorpions who responded by kicking three consecutive goals to reduce the lead to ten points deep into the final quarter.
Williamstown was able to win a critical centre clearance and when Adam Cook marked and kicked his third goal the game was over and the seagulls had maintained their undefeated record at home with seven wins at Burbank Oval this year.
Williamstown 15.21.111 Casey Scorpions 14.11.95
Goals: Cook 3, O’Keefe 2, Harbrow 2, Little 1, Galea 1, Johnson 1, Lyons 1, Ward 1, Picken 1, Stack 1, Street1.
Best Players: Picken, McKenzie, Johnson, Harbrow, Lockwood, Cook.
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown reserves maintained their unbeaten run by defeating the Casey Scorpions by 127 points to record their 11th win of the season.
Captain for the day Brant Dickson led from the front with a dominant display up forward whilst Bulldog youngsters Jarrad Boumann and Henry White continued their good form. It was also pleasing to see the return of Bulldog rookie John Shaw who played only his second game after overcoming a back injury. Shaw was very impressive during the practice games earlier in the year and his return will bolster the ruck stocks of the side.
Tom Langlands, who was dropped after playing the previous two games at senior level, was named best player.
Williamstown 0.2 8.6 13.8 25.14 (164)
Casey Scorpions 1.5 2.6 4.7 5. 7 (37)
Goals: Dickson 4, Boumann 3, White 3, Jenkins 3, Young 2, Cartelli 2, Tanner 2, Georgiadis 1, Langlands 1, Boyd 1, Mulligan 1, Knight 1, Miller 1
Best Players: Langlands, Boumann, Grossman, Dickson, White, Boyd.
Next week Williamstown travels to Sandringham to play the Zebras on Saturday 12th July at 2pm in the seniors and 11.10am in the reserves. Sandringham are still in the top eight after losing their last four games but they are always a formidable opponent and extremely tough to beat at their home ground – Trevor Barker Oval.
A Supporters Bus will depart Seagulls (1 Mason Street, Newport) at 12 noon.
Next week will be Coach Brad Gotch’s 200th game as Coach in the VFL which is an outstanding achievement. We wish Brad all the best.
