Williamstown made five changes to the side which lost by one point to Sandringham the week before. Into the side came Western Bulldog Stephen Tiller who had played two reserves games after an interrupted pre-season due to a serious groin operation. Tom German and Matthew Grossman were recalled to the senior side and youngster Kwame McHarg who joined the Club from TAC Cup side Sandringham Dragons was promoted for his first senior game. Out of the side went injured duo Cameron Lockwood and Jason Tutt whilst Josh Griffiths and Luke Cartelli were omitted.
Port Melbourne made two changes to the side which defeated the Northern Bullants in Round 3- Josh Free and Michael Dillon were promoted for Wil De Bruin and Matthew Suckling who were dropped.
First Quarter
In fine but windy conditions Williamstown started brightly through the dominance of big man Will Minson who dominated Port Melbourne’s David Fanning in the centre. Recalled midfielder Tom German was very prominent in the first term and he combined with Ben Davies, Brett Johnson and Ben Jolley to provide the Seagulls with early opportunities which resulted in goals to Matthew Little, Andrew Hooper and Liam Jones. Up back the Williamstown defence led by Peter Faulks and Lukas Markovic was able to keep the Borough goalless in the opening term.
Williamstown 3.1
Port Melbourne 0.5
Second Quarter
Port Melbourne begun well in the second term with goals to Adrian Bonaddio, Phil Raymond and Chris Cain to claw their way back into the contest. Josh Hill and Patrick Rose were lively and the Seagulls were able to re-establish a five goal lead after goals to Ben Davies, Brett Johnson, Liam Jones, Andrew Hooper and Ed Carr. David Stretton was doing a fine defensive job on ex-Bulldog Malcolm Lynch and Jarrad Boumann was providing plenty of rebound from defence. First gamer Kwame McHarg was also prominent.
Williamstown 9.4
Port Melbourne 3.10
Third quarter
As expected the Borough bounced back in the third term as Sam Pleming, Stephen Brewer, Toby Pinwill and Ryan McMahon all lifted. Goals to Adam Bentick, Pinwill, McMahon and Pleming closed the gap to a couple of goals. Brennan Stack was playing his best game for the season and with Liam Jones were providing the Borough defenders with plenty of headaches. The Seagulls responded with goals to Stack, Jones, Hooper and German to re-establish a 29 point lead at the final break.
Williamstown 13.5
Port Melbourne 7.12
Fourth Quarter
Williamstown kicked the opening two goals of the quarter to extend its lead to seven goals but the Port Melbourne side showed their usual grit to hang in and responded by kicking four goals in the final term. Williamstown was wasteful in the last term, kicking 3.7.
Williamstown 16.12 (108)
Port Melbourne 11.15 (81)
Goalkickers: Hooper 3, Jones 3, Little 2, Johnson 2, Stack 2, Davies, Hill, German, Carr
Best Players: Davies, Minson, German, Stack, Jolley, Markovic
Reserves Wrap
Williamstown Reserves maintained their unbeaten status by downing an inaccurate Port Melbourne by 16 points. Williamstown introduced Altona recruit Lee Spiteri for his first game for the Club and Dylan Ayton was promoted from Spotswood for his first game for the season.
Western Bulldog Sam Reid who underwent a serious groin operation during the pre-season continued his gradual build up and played more game time this week. Young Portland recruit Jake Wilson continued his fine form up back and Adam Marangon played his best game for the season. It was also pleasing to see Stephen McCallum kick two critical goals in the final quarter which should boost his confidence in coming weeks.
Williamstown 4.1 7.3 9.7 13.11 (89)
Port Melbourne 1.4 5.11 7.17 9.19 (73)
Goalkickers: Cartelli 2, McCallum 2, Purton-Smith 2, DiMartino 2, Sing, Daniels, Rampe, Lee, Fogarty
Best Players: Wilson, Sing, Daniels, Mulligan, Reid, Cartelli, Griffiths
What’s on next week...?
Next Sunday 9th May Williamstown hosts Werribee at Burbank Oval with the Reserves commencing at 11am and the Senior game at 2pm.
