Williamstown have overcome a fast-finishing Bendigo side in a do or die elimination final by holding on to win by two goals. Brendan Lucas reports.
The Seagulls were caught napping in the first term but bounced back to record their seventh consecutive victory on the trot.
Post-match coach Peter German said it was pleasing one of the youngest sides fielded all season were able to hang on.
“I guess that is why footy is a great game. Even when you are dominating things can change and momentum can turn,” he said.
“When you have got so much youth you are so reliant on players right across the board and I just think that at times we just failed a little bit in being able to spread the load a little bit and handle the pressure.”
“In the end it was good to just get the win.”
But in the first term it was Gold that got the upper hand turning defence into attack.
Sam Lonergan stood tall in the first term kicking two goals up forward as the Seagulls remained goalless for the quarter.
Poor disposal, lack of forward structure and early nerves sent jitters through the Seagulls’ camp and coach Peter German urged his side to make quicker decisions, work harder and attack the ball.
In a reversal of fortune the Seagulls responded in the second term as four early goals – multiples to Brett Goodes – kept Gold guessing.
Game intensity lifted bringing two temporary casualties in ruckman Justin Crow and captain Ben Duscher off under the blood rule.
The lead stretched to 34-points in favour of the Seagulls at the 18-minute mark of the third term, but Justin Maddern kept hopes alive for Gold kicking his second.
Maddern again showed fight in the last with a blistering dash around the mark and goal at the 5-minute mark bringing Gold to within 30-points.
With the pressure getting the better of the Seagulls Gold brought the margin back to 5-points at the 24-minute mark.
A poor defensive turnover in the dying stages from Gold snuffed any hope of a comeback win as Patrick Veszpremi swooped and sealed the thriller.
Justin Crow was dominant in the ruck for Gold finishing with 22 disposals and eight marks, while Seagull midfielders Ben Jolley and Brett Goodes asserted their dominance with 35 and 31 possessions respectively.
The Seagulls progress to face the Casey Scorpions who fell short against Werribee in a cut-throat semi-final this Saturday.
Williamstown 11.17.83 def Bendigo 10.11.71
Last Modified on 04/09/2012 12:52