A fast paced match between Williamstown and Collingwood at Burbank Oval on Sunday ended with the Seagulls getting home by one solitary goal. The teams traded goal runs in the final term, but Williamstown held the ball up in the centre in the dying minutes until the siren sounded. The final term lasted 33:02 tense minutes, as a seven goal to three final term got the home side over the line, as Luke Armstrong reports.
The Magpies looked comfortable going inside forward 50 in the first quarter; meanwhile the Seagulls were kicking to space, however not always effectively. The scores were tied at 21 a piece at the end of the first term.
Collingwood kicked the first goal of a close, low-scoring, second quarter. Seagull Kirby McConnon took a well-judged mark and kicked truly and team-mate Anthony Anastasio set up another goal just minutes later. For Collingwood, Luke Ball was more than handy at the stoppages and going into the forward line. The Pies kicked a late goal to go into half time up by five points.
Williamstown chose to run the ball along the wing early in the third quarter, and Lachie Hunter gave them the lead by a point two minutes in. The rest of the term was goal for goal, but it was Collingwood who would again take the lead at the 24-minute mark, and hung onto a slender nine point lead at the final change.
The Seagulls were full of energy as the final term began, and they slotted the first major. Seagull Tom Campbell took a strong mark, but couldn’t convert from 30 meters out on a difficult angle. Leigh Williams then turned the game with his boot for Williamstown, kicking three goals in five minutes to give the home side the lead by 25 points.
Collingwood were not finished with, and Jackson Paine goaled at the 21 minute mark, to cut the deficit to 17 points. Williamstown found the reply, then Collingwood’s Caolan Mooney managed to kick two of the next three Collingwood goals to draw the Magpies to within six points at the 29 minute mark of the term.
Three and a half minutes of locking the ball up followed, with Williamstown willing the siren to sound. Alan Didak had a late chance which wasn’t to be, as the home side recorded their third win of the season.
After a strong final term Leigh Williams finished with four goals for Williamstown, whilst Mooney led the goal scorers for Collingwood with five.
Willie Wheeler was once again amongst the best for Williamstown, along with Josh Pruden, Fletcher Roberts and Williams. For Collingwood, Ben Moloney, Marley Williams and Mooney were named as their best.
A rewarding win for Williamstown, whose next match is against Frankston on Sunday, May 19, after the state game this weekend. The Magpies are home to Geelong on Saturday, May 18.
Photo: Damian Visentini
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 12:05