By Kieran Jones
The Northern Bullants handed Williamstown their second successive loss at Visy Park on Sunday, running out 35 point winners in a high-scoring game.
It was the Bullants’ consistency and effort across the four quarters that got them over the line, as Williamstown struggled to maintain their pressure throughout the day.
A goal-less final term underlined the problem for Williamstown, who had played well only in patches. At the other end of the ground, however, the Bullants’ simply had too many attacking options.
In a rain effected first term, both sides were still able to maintain good use of the football, and the Seagulls had a six point lead at the first break despite trailing by four goals early.
The Bullants started the second quarter just as they did the first, with Chris Yarran and Adam Iacobucci providing good ball use and quick movement from half back, and Jason Saddington providing a strong forward target.
Two goals in the quarter to Cameron Cloke, Greg Bently and David Boundy saw the gap open up to 27 points at half time in favour of the Bullants after eight goals in the term.
But the top of the table Seagulls weren’t going to give up too easily, and came out firing after half time. Patrick Rose and Matthew Little threatened to take control of the game, as the visitors kicked four in a row to reduce the margin to within a kick.
The run and carry of the Seagulls midfield was in full flight in the third term, as Ben Davies and Andrejs Everitt came into the game. However, a free kick and goal after the siren to Boundy stifled Williamstown’s momentum, and gave the home side a 13 point lead heading into three quarter time.
The Seagulls had no answers to the stronger and bodies of the Bullants in the final term, and Cameron Cloke’s fifth goal midway through the quarter ended any hopes of a fight back. Williamstown struggled to get back into the game, as the Bullants suppressed the Seagulls midfield and forced them to kick wide when attacking.
The Bullants now sit equal with Williamstown on six wins, and will be hoping to continue their good form against Casey next week, whilst the Seagulls host Geelong at home as they attempt to re-capture their early season form.
| Northern Bullants 5.1 13.3 16.9 20.13 (133)
| Williamstown 6.2 8.6 14.8 14.14 (98)
GOALS:Northern Bullants: Cloke 5 Saddington 3 Boundy 3 Bentley 2 Bannister 2 Hartlett 2 McCorkell Hadley Bannister
Williamstown: Little 4 Rose 4 Davies Langlands Egan Skipper Stretton Cordy
BEST:Northern Bullants: Iacobucci Cloke Bransgrove Hadley Bannister Yarran
Williamstown: Rose Davies Little Reid Everitt Stretton
Last Modified on 09/06/2009 12:59