WILLIAMSTOWN has fought off a gutsy Sandringham to win by 24-points at a windy Burbank Oval. A four goal to one first quarter set up the win as the Seagulls continue their stay in the top four, as Nick Ciantar reports.
The Gulls’ home ground advantage was one of the major differences in the match against a Zebras team fresh off a 44-point win against Collingwood.
Williamstown were much cleaner with the ball, which allowed their forwards of Dylan Conway (four goals), Jack Johnstone (two goals) and Scott Clouston (one goal) to make a significant impact on the scoreboard.
Sandringham’s forwards were not sighted in the first quarter and their only goal came from Josh Saunders (25 disposals, three goals) at the 17 minute mark.
The Seagulls’ Nick Sing (10 disposals) kept Zebras midfielder Adam Cockie (16 disposals) quiet, while Kane Lambert (15 disposals, one goal) went head-to-head with ball-magnet Tom Curren (22 disposals).
Sandringham struggled to find a forward avenue throughout the match and found it difficult to move the ball quickly from defence.
Williamstown’s zone-work was influential and Sandringham Assistant Coach Brendan Allen was disappointed with the team’s start of the match.
“No doubt that they (Williamstown) set up to play this ground very well. They kept us on the bayside for most of the day,” Allen told True Zebras after the match.
The Zebras’ tall forwards of Spencer White (10 disposals, one goal) and Rhys Stanley (eight disposals, three goals) pushed Williamstown in the second quarter. Sandringham ended the half 21-points down after trailing by as much as 44-points earlier in the quarter.
But the Zebras could not continue with their form in the third quarter as Ed Carr (17 disposals, two goals) lifted the crowd with an inspirational mark and goal. The Seagulls’ forward pressure was excellent once again as they held Sandringham goalless until the 29-minute mark.
Williamstown continued with this in the last quarter in a game which they produced an all-round team performance.
Nick Meese (19 disposals) battled well with returning Saint ruckman Tom Hickey (14 disposals) and the pair was prominent around the ground. Ben Jolley’s (19 disposals) third quarter lifted the crowd while Brad Mangan (16 disposals) kept Beau Maister (four disposals) to one behind.
Sandringham will be sweating on the scans of Sam Fisher (seven disposals) this week who reportedly had a “back spasm” in the second quarter.
Fisher, 31, returned from a hamstring injury against Williamstown and played no further part after half time. Daniel Markworth (15 disposals) also injured his hamstring in the third quarter and the young Saint may have a stint on the sidelines.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Sandringham as Allen praised midfielder Saunders after the match.
“He lit it up with his pace a little bit and hit the scoreboard a couple of times, which is what we wanted him to do,” Allen told True Zebras.
Saunders was Sandringham’s best player and had solid support from Trent Dennis-Lane (21 disposals) and Adam Schneider (33 disposals, one goal) who returned from injury. But Williamstown’s pressure and efficiency throughout the contest over-powered a slow starting Zebras team.
Williamstown are a game clear fourth on the ladder and will travel to Casey Fields next Saturday to meet the Casey Scorpions. Sandringham was bumped out of the eight by the Northern Blues and will host the winless Bendigo Gold next Sunday.
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Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 23/06/2014 20:39