Williamstown and Box Hill produced another classic Development League Grand Final, with the Seagulls winning by a golden point after the teams were tied at the end of regulation time.
For the second time in three years the Seagulls have won with a golden point, after a behind to Jake Owen was enough three minutes into extra time to give his side a three-peat of premiership wins, winning 8.13 61 to Box Hill Hawks 8.12 60.
The win by Williamstown denied the Box Hill Hawks an undefeated season, and inflicted the Hawks fourth straight Development League defeat after they won a three-peat of premierships themselves between 2009-2011.
The Hawks started strong, kicking with the first three goals of the game with the aid of the breeze to the Williamstown Road end of the ground. Liam Kidd and Sam Switkowski were lively up forward, putting plenty of pressure on the Seagull defence. Late goal to Sean Hetherington cut the Hawks lead to 14 points at quarter time.
Captain Liam Tobin got the Hawks off to the best start against the breeze with a goal on the run just 16 seconds into the second term, providing a match high 20 point lead. By the end of the term however, Williamstown had wrestled the lead their way for the first time in the game, heading into the half time break with a two-point lead. Brett Bewley was having an impact around the ground, and eventual best on ground Jake McKenzie and Taylor Hine were holding down the defence.
Hetherington kicked his second early in the third term with goals hard to come by. The quarter produced just two more goals as the Seagulls held a nine-point lead at the final change.
The final term was a classic finale to the third Grand Final battle in a row between the two sides. It took 18 minutes for Xavier Dimasi to kick his second goal for Box Hill, reducing the deficit to just three points. Julian Soccio and Sam Gibson continued their hard defensive work for the Hawks, but they were unable to stop Hetherington kicking his third, to jump the reigning premiers back out to a nine-point lead as the clock had ticked into time on.
Box Hill peppered the ball inside forward 50 on numerous occasions late in the game, but were unable to find reward until Matthew Traynor was finally able to celebrate as he drew the Hawks level with under 90 seconds left till the final siren.
Box Hill pushed the ball forweard again but were unable to score as the the clock ticked into golden point territory with the next score set to win. It was a tense final three minutes, with the Hawks having their chances, and Williamstown going oh so close with an out of bounds on the full.
But the Seagulls were able to run the ball from half back and find Owen 45 metres out, and despite his inaccuracy, Williamstown were victorious by one solitary point. It was the third straight win for Williamstown over Box Hill Hawks in the Development League decider.
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Last Modified on 20/09/2015 08:53
