Williamstown made 5 changes to the side that defeated Coburg by 57 points in Round 6. Into the side came Andrejs Everitt, Nathan Eagleton, James Mulligan, Tim Callan and Gippsland Power youngster Nick Sing as the 23rd player. Out of the side went both Lukas Markovic and Stephen Tiller through injury and Matthew Panos and Dean Muir were dropped to the Reserves. Western Jets small forward Jesse Fortune who played as the 23rd player in Round 6 returned to the TAC Cup.
The Box Hill Hawks were boosted by the inclusion of Hawthorn players Cameron Stokes, Beau Muston, Matthew Suckling, Riley Milne and Jordan Williams whilst VFL rep Cameron Pedersen returned after a one week suspension.
First Quarter
Box Hill began the game well and had early goals on the board through Sam Gibson, Beau Dowler and Luke Breust. The Box Hill Hawks looked dangerous as their fleet footed players controlled the game. Ed Curnow, Rick Ladson and Garry Moss were creating havoc for the Seagulls and it was against the flow of the game when Matthew Little snapped the Seagulls opening goal. Andrejs Everitt was providing a fine target for the Seagulls across half forward and Brodie Moles, Ben Davies and Brett Johnson were productive in the midfield. Seagulls suffered an early blow when an injury forced key defender Peter Faulks from the ground. Jarrad Boumann, Matthew Grossman, David Stretton and Easton Wood were defending well even though Jordan Lisle kicked the Hawks fourth. Willy goal sneak Andrew Hooper marked and goaled late in the quarter to reduce the lead to 12 points.
Williamstown 2.4
Box Hill 4.4
Second Quarter
Williamstown now had use of the wind and the Seagulls completely grabbed control of the game. Ben Jolley, Nathan Eagleton, Sam Reid, Kwame McHarg and Brett Johnson began to take advantage of the great ruck dominance of Jordan Roughead. Goals to Matthew Little, Sam Reid, Jordan Roughead and Brodie Moles extended the Seagulls lead but inaccuracy around the big sticks restricted the Seagulls to only a 15 point lead at the long break. Box Hill had defended well to restrict the lead and Ryan Shoenmakers, Beau Muston and Shane Savage were admirable during this quarter.
Williamstown 6.9
Box Hill 4.6
Third Quarter
The Hawks bounced back early in this quarter after some poor decision making by the Seagulls. Goals to Sam Gibson, Ben Fagan (2), Jarrod Kayler-Thompson and Jordan Lisle saw the Hawks open up a 2 goal lead. The Seagulls responded late in the quarter with Matthew Little and Patrick Rose kicking crucial goals into the wind to reduce the lead to a solitary point at three quarter time. Tim Callan, Tom German, James Mulligan and Easton Wood were important for the Seagulls as they came back.
Williamstown 8.13
Box Hill 9.8
Fourth Quarter
Box Hill won the first centre clearance and from this forward entry goal sneak Cameron Stokes snapped truly for the Hawks to open up a 7 point lead. The Seagulls response was swift and clinical as Jordan Roughead dominated out of the centre and the Seagulls swarmed forward with goals to Little, Liam Jones (2) and Jamason Daniels kicked a great running goal to open up a 3 goal lead. Everitt continued his fine game and kicked 2 goals. Every Seagull player was contributing and the flood gates opened with another 3 goals coming from Little, Rose and Callan, resulting in a 9 goal quarter and a 41 point victory.
Williamstown 17.15 (117)
Box Hill 11.10 (76)
Goal kickers: Little 5, Everitt 2, Rose 2, Jones 2, Moles, Hooper, Daniels, Reid, Callan, Roughead
Best Players: Roughead, Everitt, Johnson, Wood, Little, Reid
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown Reserves met the unbeaten and reigning Premiers Box Hill in a big Round 7 clash at Reserves level. Box Hill Reserves had won their previous 18 games so a high quality game was anticipated.
After a low scoring and tight first quarter it was the quality of the Box Hill side which grabbed the initiative and produced a stunning display, which eventually resulted in the Hawks winning by a decisive 52 points.
Unfortunately Box Hill was cleaner and outnumbered the Seagulls all day and thoroughly deserved their victory.
The loss provides Coach Adam Potter and his staff with a clear indication of where our Reserves have to improve to match the Box Hill Reserves juggernaut. In a disappointing effort it was pleasing to see Bulldog Rookie Eddie Prato produce his best performance against 2 listed Hawthorn Ruckman in Grimley and Lowden. Other players to perform well included Phil Smith, Matthew Cravino, Brian Fenton, Jack Purton-Smith and Bulldogs first round draft pick Christian Howard in only his second game.
Williamstown 1.2 4.3 6.5 9.11 (65)
Box Hill 2.2 8.8 12.12 17.15 (117)
Goal kickers: Panos 2, Lee, Carr, Cartelli, De Sousa, Rampe, DiMartino, Cravino
Best Players: Smith, Prato, Cravino, Fenton, Purton-Smith, Howard
What’s on next week?
Next Sunday Williamstown travels to Frankston Oval to play Frankston in Round 8 VFL action.
Reserves - 11am
Seniors - 2pm
A Supporters Bus will depart Seagulls Nest (1 Mason Street Newport) at 11:30am and return at the conclusion of the senior’s game.
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