By Luke Mason
A 14-goal to five second half has propelled Williamstown to an ideal start to the 2009 season, registering a 62-point victory over Collingwood at Visy Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Pies made a strong start, making the most of their opportunities in attack in the early stages, with Brad Dick adding a touch of class to the forward line. He booted four for the day, providing a solid foil for key forwards Chris Dawes and Chris Bryan (two goals apiece).
But the strength of the Seagulls onball brigade eventually began to tell, with Ben Jolley and Ben Davies combining to sweep the ball forward at will from the centre bounces, ably supported by their ruckman Wayde Skipper.
The visitors were well served by their medium-sized forwards, with Western Bulldog Guy O'Keefe slotting home five majors on his classy left boot. Matthew Little presented well all afternoon, and was rewarded with four goals, while Chris Egan and Jarrad Grant bobbed up when required to boot three each.
Although Collingwood drew to within a straight four-goals early in the final term, they were blown away by the Williamstown onslaught, the match petering out as the Gulls slammed on six goals to one for the quarter. Grant iced the win with his third after the final siren, signalling a 62-point triumph.
It was a pleasing start to the season for Brad Gotch's men, who have fallen short at the penultimate hurdle for three years in succession. However, a strong off-season recruiting haul, which included the signings of Ben Davies and Chris Egan, combined with a strong Western Bulldogs contingent, puts them right back in the frame for further success this year.
Meanwhile, Collingwood should be pleased with their side's ability to stick with such a well-drilled opponent for much of the afternoon, as well as the form of rookie listed pair Jarryd Blair and Tristan Francis.
Williamstown: 1.3, 7.7, 15.8, 21.11 (137)
Collingwood: 4.0, 6.2, 10.6, 11.9 (75)
Goals - Williamstown: O'Keefe 5, Little, Grant 3, Egan 3, Davies, Wood, Skipper, Everitt, Johnson, Jolley.
Collingwood:Â Dick 4, Dawes 2, Bryan 2, Hunt, Reed, Corrie.
Best - Williamstown: Little, Jolley, O'Keefe, Davies, Skipper, Rose.
Collingwood: Reid, Sidebottom, Wood, Blair, Francis, Dawes.
Injuries - Williamstown: Nil
Collingwood: Nil.
Umpires: Jamie Grindal, Wayne Hoskins, Andrew Talbot.
At Visy Park.
Last Modified on 20/04/2009 11:53