Williamstown has returned to the winners’ list at Burbank Oval yesterday, defeating a strong Essendon outfit by 56 points.
After a slow start the Seagulls proved too strong defensively, restricting the visitors to only two goals after quarter time.
It was a well-rounded performance from the Seagulls who bounced back after the disappointing loss to Port Melbourne two weeks ago.
Buoyed by the return of captain Ben Jolley, the Seagulls also handed a first senior appearance of the year to Dylan Conway, while Mitch Wallis, Tory Dickson and Jason Tutt all returned from the Western Bulldogs list.
Essendon boasted some talented tall timber, with Tom Bellchambers, Scott Gumbleton and David Hille all playing, while Nathan Lovett-Murray and youngster Will Hams came into the side.
The match had been predicted to be high energy and of high quality and it didn’t disappoint early on, with both teams ruthless in their attack on the football.
Early goals to Hille and Gumbleton showed their attacking threat, but it was the Seagulls’ big men in Tom Campbell and Cameron Wood who equalised late in the quarter as the Bombers took a slender lead into the first change.
It was a see-sawing battle in the second quarter as neither team were able to get on top in the opening stages.
Ben Jolley, Ed Carr, Daniel Cross and Brent Prismall were starting to win more football in the middle of the ground and late goals to Jarrad Grant and then Dylan Conway on the siren gave the Seagulls the lead heading into half time.
After the half time break, the home side came out firing kicking five unanswered goals whilst keeping Essendon goalless for the quarter.
Young Bulldog Lachie Hunter was prominent kicking two goals for the quarter as the Seagulls stretched the lead out to 35 points at the final change.
Incredibly Essendon had more inside 50?s in the third quarter but were unable to score, such was the resolute defending on Cam Lockwood, Mark Austin and Leigh Masters in the back half of the ground.
This was again the trend in the last quarter with the home side only conceding one further goal from a free kick, whilst kicking another four to round off a 56 point win.
There were plenty of winners all over the ground with Brent Prismall and Ben Jolley both registering 30+ possessions against their old side, while Cameron Lockwood and Mark Austin were outstanding all day repelling all of Essendon’s forward entries.
Next Saturday the Seagulls face another big test away from home against the in-form Northern Blues at Visy Park.
Williamstown 3.3 6.4 11.7 15.11 (101)
Essendon 4.2 5.5 5.8 6.9 (45)
GOALS: Hunter 3 Conway 2 Wheeler 2 Grant 2 Charleston Campbell Cross Prismall Wallis Wood
BEST: Lockwood Prismall Cross Austin Hunter Masters
Development Report:
Williamstown has enjoyed a comfortable victory against Coburg at Development level winning by 109 points. The Seagulls were in control for all of the game as they ran out convincing winners at home.
Brandon Symes put in a dominant display for the Development Side kicking three goals in a best on ground display.
He was well supported by Jack Johnstone and Sam Critchley who were both influential down back, while Ben Casley and vice-captain Jamie McNamara both made successful returns from injury in further good news for the Club.
Williamstown 3.6 8.11 13.17 19.25 (139)
Coburg Tigers 1.2 1.7 3.9 3.12 (30)
GOALS: Deery 3 Casley 3 Symes 3 Nastasi 2 Polizzi 2 McConnon 2 Wyatt Johnstone Bench Mead
BEST: Symes Johnstone Critchley Pearce Woods Hetherington
